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.
29/03/2023
Hard target
What can be done to increase the number of heat pump installations to meet the government’s challenging net zero targets, asks Tom Austin-Morgan
» Read More
29/03/2023
Down the drain
The UK government is pushing for sustainable drainage systems in new developments. Ben Spencer finds out how users of commercial buildings stand to benefit
» Read More
29/03/2023
Measuring liquid levels
Liquid level measurement sensors are being installed throughout the sewage network to reduce stormwater sewer discharges, reports Jody Muelaner
» Read More
20/03/2023
Making power networks greener
Now there are several approaches to reducing or eliminating global warming gas SF6 in electrical installations led by switchgear manufacturers and high-profile customers such as National Grid
» Read More
20/03/2023
Pumps and the circular economy
Europump, the European Association of Pump Manufacturers, explains how the European pump industry interprets the requirements of the EC Circular Economy Action Plan, introduced in March 2020
» Read More
20/03/2023
Motors: the long and winding road
When National Grid faced maintenance issues with two motors installed at critical gas booster station sites in England, it approached Sulzer. Delivering turnkey redesigns and rewinds for the complex 16 MW units, Sulzer has helped National ...
» Read More
20/02/2023
Inside London's 'super sewer'
Construction of London’s new 25km-long River Thames sewer tunnel is progressing at pace, as delivery company Tideway pursues its 2025 targeted opening date. By Brian Wall
» Read More
20/02/2023
All about storm overflows
As Southern Water recovers from a dark period, managing storm overflows is the biggest challenge that it – and the industry – faces. Water utilities use storm overflows to serve as relief valves that ensure that rain and wastewater is ...
» Read More
20/02/2023
Four steps to prevent motor failure
Arming maintenance engineers and technicians with the right tools and knowledge can help reduce overall downtime costs. By Markus Bakker, field application engineer, Fluke Corporation
» Read More
20/02/2023
Shop air gets the squeeze
April 2022 saw the launch of a taskforce targeting a 10% reduction in the energy consumed by compressed air systems. Steed Webzell details the campaign’s key messages
» Read More
09/01/2023
Construction: levelling up
National Highways has found a standardised way to measure the autonomous capabilities of construction equipment, but the technology needs to be accompanied with immediate action
» Read More
09/01/2023
Bearing useful news
A new approach to condition monitoring relies on computers making their own connections on bearing health from large datasets. By Toby Clark
» Read More
09/01/2023
Heartbeat of a motor
Electrical signature analysis (ESA) is an adaptable, powerful and non-invasive approach to condition monitoring in electro-mechanical equipment such as electric motors and generators. It can provide comparable diagnostic information to ...
» Read More
09/01/2023
Optimising pumps for efficiency
Given the global rise in energy costs, there has never been a better time to review and assess the efficiency of your pumping systems – whatever their size, complexity or indeed area of operation. Basic information and guidance on ...
» Read More
09/01/2023
The power of cloud-based quality management
Manufacturing has a history of moving at a glacial pace when adopting new technology such as cloud-based solutions, but cloud is not new anymore. In recent years, cloud computing and SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) have begun to dominate. ...
» Read More
19/12/2022
A squash and a squeeze
The HSE’s Confined Spaces Regulations 1997 defines them as “any place including any chamber, tank, vat, silo, pit, trench, pipe, sewer, flue, well or other similar space in which, by virtue of its enclosed nature, there arises a reasonably ...
» Read More
06/12/2022
Time for a dry run
Compressed air dryers improve air quality and protect valuable assets, but what types are available and how is it best to care for them?
» Read More
06/12/2022
Determining SIL in accordance with IEC 62061
Sector-specific standard IEC 62061 considers the entire life cycle of a machine or plant from conception to dismantling. International safety integrity level (SIL) describes the safety-related performance capability. This article explains ...
» Read More
29/11/2022
Powering up
Uninterruptible power supplies play a key role when mains power fails, making a carefully planned maintenance regime all the more crucial
» Read More
24/11/2022
Designing the right impellers
Impeller design and specification is critical to fan performance in all applications, and especially when operating in harsh operating environments. Phil Kirkham, engineering manager at Elta Fans Applied Technology, explains what to look ...
» Read More
14/11/2022
Digital ID for industrial valves
To further drive digitisation in the process industry, manufacturers should supply clearly identifiable devices and make standardised product data available digitally. The DIN SPEC 91406/IEC 61406 and VDI 2770 standards provide support in ...
» Read More
14/11/2022
Successfully sizing up valves
Specifying a replacement control valve can be a challenge. Making the right choice ensures optimum system control and accuracy, but sizing requires time, as well as a certain level of expertise. To help resolve these challenges, flow ...
» Read More