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.

12/10/2023 Decarbonising heat: where are we?

Businesses who use gas should start asking questions now about what options they will have for heat supply in future » Read More

09/08/2023 Using recovered waste heat

The presence of spare heat is a necessary but not sufficient condition to turn it to a good use, explains Jody Muelaner » Read More

28/05/2021 Sewer heat recovery

There is a hidden and rarely used energy source in domestic buildings that has the potential to bring balance to the perceived uncertainty of the future energy grid mix. Now, wastewater heat recovery systems (WWHRS) are being included in ... » Read More

24/08/2020 Smart moves

Jody Muelaner explores how a building management system works and the range of equipment and systems with which it can work » Read More

08/05/2019 Comment: Give and take

Over the years covering industry, I’ve written a lot about nature and the environment. Usually I channel my inner Attenborough, reiterating how we need to do more to protect our lands and oceans, help wildlife, and minimise air and waste ... » Read More

08/05/2019 Tapping into nature

A Queen’s Quay regeneration project in Clydebank is set to be the site of one of the UK’s most exciting energy projects, creating Scotland’s first large-scale water source heat pump scheme to connect to a district heating network » Read More

28/02/2018 Five questions you should ask before you invest in an economiser

Economisers have the potential to slash the energy and environmental costs from boilers. However, the way economisers are designed and manufactured plays a major role in determining to what extent they can lower a boiler’s energy ... » Read More

08/08/2011 Tamar Foods saves 23 percent on HVAC energy

One of the UK's largest producers of pastry-based products is reporting 23% energy cost savings on its HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) plant, following installation of ABB variable-speed drives. » Read More

07/06/2011 Webster & Horsfall cuts energy costs by 33%

Wire and strip manufacturer Webster & Horsfall is reporting one third energy cost savings since converting from existing inefficient steam boiler to thermal fluid heating. » Read More

09/12/2010 Instant heating is flavour of the month at Fox’s biscuits

Fox's Biscuits in Preston reports that its problem of hot water shortages has been solved since installing an EasiHeat engineered system, from Spirax Sarco. » Read More

01/03/2010 Latent heating

As UK government ups the ante on going green and slashing emissions, air- and ground-source heat pumps are rearing their heads again. Brian Tinham examines the issues » Read More

01/01/2010 Efficient energy

Combined heat and power plants are anything but new. However, evolving technologies are revolutionising their scope and HM government likes the sound of it. Brian Tinham reports » Read More

01/10/2009 Under pressure

Boiler plant safety is generally well understood, but the demands of work may leave pressure systems exposed to danger. Brian Tinham re-examines concerns and best practice » Read More

01/10/2009 Saving the earth

In the rush to save energy and reduce emissions, it's easy to forget the sheer range of potential solutions. Dr Tom Shelley reviews some of today's most powerful options » Read More

01/10/2008 Fluid thinking

According to the Carbon Trust, UK industry spends around £9.5 billion on energy, with at least 40% of that consumed by process heating. 'Using straightforward techniques, between 5% and 10% of this could be saved, reducing spending on ... » Read More

01/10/2007 The heat is on

Two of the key concerns for anyone involved in process heating are to save energy and reduce running costs. But how many organisations really know how well – or badly – they are doing? Brian Wall finds out » Read More

01/10/2006 Process Heating - All fired up

Eliminating bottlenecks in the heat-curing phase of any assembly process, thereby increasing the efficiency of the whole operation, is an essential goal for any business - nowhere more so than at Hepworth Building Products. » 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

01/10/2004 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