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.

02/07/2024 The push towards efficiency

In the field of industrial automation, achieving success depends on optimising efficiency, adaptability and ease of use. Tom Austin-Morgan looks at some examples of efficient pump and valve technologies » 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

14/03/2022 Leading the way in digital transformation

The UK’s first Schneider Electric smart factory, in Flint, Wales, provides a model for revolutionising ageing infrastructure to deliver operational effectiveness and sustainability, reports Will Dalrymple » Read More

14/03/2022 What is stiction?

If you have ever tried to push a box across a floor, building up effort only for it to suddenly slide rapidly and easily, you have experienced ‘stiction’; it can lead to mechanical motion control problems in valves and elsewhere » Read More

14/03/2022 Valve performance

How can engineers ensure that valves are performing efficiently and correctly on a process line? By Steed Webzell » Read More

18/10/2021 (Don’t) blow me down

Emergency shutdown valves may be the last line of defence against a major incident occurring in a pressurised system. Little wonder specifications and maintenance are tightly regulated. By Toby Clark » Read More

04/01/2016 IMI Critical Engineering braves arctic conditions to secure major LNG contracts

IMI Critical Engineering has clinched several major contracts for one of the world’s largest LNG projects. » Read More

19/03/2014 Power grab

Managing your factory's energy usage effectively can pay real dividends in terms of money (and planet) saved, and reputation (and comfort) enhanced, says Ian Vallely » Read More

07/08/2013 Taking control

Control valves – and specifically their actuator and positioner systems – went digital years ago. However, as further developments improve their power, much of industry is missing some tricks, writes Brian Tinham » Read More

06/02/2012 Pole position

Although control valve, actuator and positioner technologies develop only relatively slowly, there have been advances that offer practical, diagnostic and cost/benefit issues. Brian Tinham reports » Read More

09/02/2011 Control Revisited

Control valves, actuators and positioners aren't renowned for rapid technological development, but advances are changing the shape of best practice. Brian Tinham reports » Read More

06/10/2010 Instruments for control

Help is at hand for plant engineers facing up to the challenge of handling instrumentation and control. Brian Tinham reports on recent developments » Read More

01/01/2010 Control valves best practice

Only carefully selected, installed and maintained control valves will manage fluid flow as intended. Brian Wall provides back-to-basics advice » Read More

01/12/2009 Opening up on control valves

There are three key steps to ensuring that control valves don't cause process plant instability. Mark Perry explains the problems and their solutions » Read More

01/04/2009 Testing safety valves

Late in 2006, an RSA (Royal & SunAlliance) engineer surveyor was involved in the testing of safety valves at a coal-fired power station on a boiler return service. After testing was complete, a major failure occurred on the plant. The ... » Read More

01/02/2009 Open & shut case

You'll have heard it said more times than you probably care to remember that variance is the bane of manufacturing - and the same is true in the process sector, the utilities and so on. Why? Because it leads to all sorts of problems, ... » Read More

01/12/2008 Discovery machine

CERN's Large Hadron Collider (LHC) - the planet's most powerful subatomic particle accelerator - made it into the record books when, at 10.28am on Wednesday 10 September, in front of the world's hyped-up media, the first beam was ... » Read More

01/08/2008 Water hammer

The destructive potential of water hammer and entrained air were demonstrated recently at the Conwy tunnel, where a leaking fire main had been discharging at 300m3 per day for well over a year - costing some £3,500 in electricity alone for ... » Read More

01/06/2008 Cage or maze?

It's a sad fact that plant owners and operators have long since shed most of their engineering departments, leaving behind only skeleton staffs stretched to carry out essential inspection and maintenance tasks. So, with the process, ... » Read More

01/02/2008 Atomic kitten

Ever wondered about nuclear submarines and the issues for plant engineers in operational and supporting roles, either onboard or dockside? Andrew Law, specialist in the operational plant support department at Rolls-Royce Nuclear Propulsion ... » Read More

01/06/2007 Pumping up improvements

While designs of pumps and valves for the process and related industries had barely altered in decades, changing requirements have recently resulted in some useful improvements. First, the sustained high cost of energy has led to greater ... » 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

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