Plant Equipment Feature Library

Operations Engineer's library catalogues editorial features going back five years.

Access to all archive material is free to all, including non-members of IPlantE (the Institution of Operations Engineers) or BES (Bureau of Engineer Surveyors), under the umbrella of SOE (Society of Operations Engineers). However, to discover the many benefits of becoming an SOE member, please click here.

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01/12/2005 Stem the flow

These days, industrial lubrication has two main purposes: first, to ensure by some mechanical, electronic or outsourced human means that machine mechanisms receive timely lubrication; and, secondly, that this lubrication should be as ... » Read More

01/10/2005 Water waste batters cashflow

Headlines about water shortages in the UK have featured heavily in the media in recent years - with threats of hosepipe bans and other rationing measures a regular occurrence. While businesses are often unaffected in the short term, the ... » Read More

01/10/2005 Turning up the heat

At any stage in every manufacturing process, the application of heat to the workpiece or product is required - whether that is in the drying of paper or cellulose films, to the curing of rubber or painted surfaces. Within industry, the use ... » Read More

01/10/2005 All fired up

Fortum O&M (UK) operates and maintains the Grangemouth combined heat and power plant (CHP), which supplies power and steam to BP's Grangemouth complex, Scotland's largest industrial site and one of the biggest, most integrated oil and gas ... » Read More

01/08/2005 Water and Environment - Water, water everywhere...

With rapidly rising populations, coupled with the effects of global warming, water is becoming an increasingly sought-after commodity in nations both developed and developing. » Read More

06/06/2005 Pumps and Valves - Benefits flow from new technology

The combination of innovative technology with radical changes in manufacturing processes is a key factor in improving the total cost of ownership of pumps and valves. Cost-conscious buyers are looking for solutions that are not ... » Read More

06/06/2005 Lubrication - Smooth operator

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the number of lubrication-free chain products on the market - and manufacturers are continuing to develop more. But why do we need so many different types of lubrication-free chain ... » Read More

06/06/2005 Lifting & handling - Tell tail signs

'One of the most highly-regulated pieces of ancillary equipment currently available for fitment to a vehicle, with specific responsibilities placed on the equipment manufacturer, installer, specifier and/or operator.' These words appear in ... » Read More

06/06/2005 Lifting & handling - No pipe dream

Oil and gas pipelines could be built at up to five times the rate they are at present. This could be achieved with trains of tracked vehicles up to half a kilometre long, supported in remote and inaccessible areas by airships with lifting ... » Read More

04/04/2005 SED Preview - The great outdoors

If you want to see construction plant and machinery demonstrated in as near as possible realistic working conditions, as opposed to simply static displays, Site Equipment Demonstration (SED) is the show for you. It has the largest assembly ... » Read More

04/04/2005 Energy Efficiency - Technology advances make for energy saving

There are many ways in which plant and factory operators can improve energy efficiency. Some are simple, but many rely on taking advantage of the latest advances in technology. » Read More

01/02/2005 Risk Management - Taking the pressure

Before 1989, the Factories Act 1961 detailed the requirements for the examination of, and reporting on, steam and air plant within the power industry by the Competent Person (often the insurance company). Where water tube boilers were ... » Read More

01/02/2005 Dust and Fume Control: Clearing the Air

Implementing dust and fume control measures is key to providing a safe working environment, with current legislation and best practice extending the scope of control well beyond the factory. Where activity is undertaken that gives rise to ... » Read More

01/02/2005 Compressed Air - Maintaining a safe system

Regulation 12 of the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations (PSSR) is very short and simple, as these things go: "The user of an installed system and the owner of a mobile system shall ensure that the system is properly maintained in good ... » Read More

01/02/2005 The key to 'greener' energy - advanced plant

It is increasingly obvious that only a combination of engineering technologies is likely to be able to meet the world's growing energy needs in the near term without totally destroying its climate and environment. » Read More

06/12/2004 Water and Effluent Treatment - Where there's sludge, there's money

A new sewage treatment works sets new standards for reduction of pollutants in its effluents, its odour-free operation, easy and safe access for maintenance operators, and attentions to the requirements of new regulations such as ATEX. » Read More

06/12/2004 Motors - Evolution in design, revolution in efficiency

Managing your motors for efficiency and reliability can be a headache at the best of times. And with discounted energy for industry perhaps set to disappear, against a backdrop of emissions regulations, then clearly it's not becoming any ... » Read More

06/12/2004 Hot water systems - Better tanks give quick and clean hot water

Hot water tanks made by a small German company use a patented system to ensure that they deliver hot water soon after heat has been applied to the water. This makes them especially suited to systems fuelled by solar energy. » Read More

01/10/2004 Pumps & Valves - Process Machinery - a troubleshooting guide

Every piece of process machinery is purchased to be installed, operated, and play its part in making a profit for the plant operator. When a problem arises with a piece of equipment that causes concern to the operator and starts to affect ... » Read More

01/10/2004 Process Heating - Steaming into first place

There are many viable ways to provide heat for processing: these can be divided into direct and indirect systems. A direct heating system is one where heat is released directly into the product - for example a gas flame heating a small ... » Read More

01/10/2004 Lifiting and Handling - The LOLER lowdown

Wherever there is lifting equipment there will be safety issues. In December 1998 the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) came into force to help reduce the risk and occurrence of accidents through the continuing ... » Read More

01/10/2004 Filtration - Graded bed catches bugs more efficiently

By very carefully selecting the layers of material in a graded bed filter, it is said to be possible to catch 99.7% of bacteria and other micro-organisms down to 0.2 µm in diameter. A newly constructed filter, which is being piloted for ... » Read More

01/10/2004 Condition Monitoring - Bearing down on stoppages

A machine tool spindle condition monitoring unit (CMU) at car manufacturer BMW's plant at Steyr, Austria, has reduced the number of bearing failures from 21 per year to zero. The Multilog CMU, supplied by bearings manufacturer SKF, is an ... » Read More

01/10/2004 Compressed Air Systems - Technology gives a clearer picture

Standard air compressors are often linked in banks to accommodate varying base loads throughout the working week, with a speed-regulated compressor making up the module to cope with peak and variable loads. And modular makes sense. It is ... » Read More

01/03/2004 Legionnaires' disease - are you protected?

As this issue of Plant Engineer goes to press, a design services manager for Barrow Borough Council is facing seven charges of manslaughter over an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in August 2002. A further 140 people were infected by the ... » Read More

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