Test and Measurement 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.

14/10/2021 Drone detection Drone technology is being utilised to detect leaks in gas pipelines and storage facilities; it is quicker and more accurate than manual methods » Read More

14/10/2021 Surveying the whole scene Laser scanning technology has evolved beyond its original use as a high-end surveying tool and is now being used for various jobs in industrial settings. Tom Austin-Morgan reports » Read More

26/08/2021 An overview of force and pressure sensing The methods used to measure force in a range of applications and how these can be related to pressure sensing. By Jody Muelaner » Read More

26/08/2021 Virtual testing becomes reality The COVID-19 pandemic is preventing in-person visits, forcing many solution providers to introduce virtual factory acceptance tests. By Steed Webzell » Read More

30/07/2021 Hydrogen as a low-carbon fuel The ‘hydrogen economy’ refers to the way hydrogen — the lightest and simplest of elements — could become a central pillar of a carbon-neutral society that still allows the economy to thrive. In principle, hydrogen could provide energy for ... » Read More

29/07/2021 Are you using the correct spill kit? Spill kits are essential when dealing with workplace spills and leaks, particularly those involving dangerous substances and contaminants, but workers need to make sure they are using the right spill kit for the job. First Mats talks ... » Read More

28/07/2021 How to check the calibration and linearity of gas analysers Calibration is the process of establishing the relationship between the output of a measurement and a known input. In common with most measuring instruments, gas analysers require calibration following installation, and then at regular ... » Read More

21/07/2021 Four steps to better electrical infrastructure resilience Manufacturing sites depend on a reliable, failsafe power supply. Too many businesses use outdated and potentially unsafe electrical assets for their critical power needs, putting people, operations and their bottom line at risk. When it ... » Read More

25/06/2021 Learning how to interpret a vibration signal from rotating machinery Vibration analysis is a powerful way of looking at rotating machinery, not just for one-off diagnosis of a problem but for ongoing machine condition monitoring. There are recognised routes to learn how to do this. By Toby Clark » Read More

25/06/2021 Choosing the right valve for efficient steam temperature control From beer brewing to cheese production, temperature control using steam is utilised across various applications in the food and beverage sector. The control valve is key, and precise specification is vital to optimise product quality and ... » Read More

10/06/2021 Lift-off for no-logo diagnostics A greater number of third parties are now accessing data for lift diagnostics, ending reliance on OEM maintenance contracts. By Steed Webzell » Read More

20/05/2021 Machine monitoring enters neutral territory With most manufacturers running a shop of mixed machine tools, the need for vendor-agnostic condition monitoring and production analytics is clear. By Steed Webzell » Read More

20/05/2021 Reading the warning signs Flow sensors for measuring the progress of liquids in process applications are vital – but they are definitely not ‘fit-and-forget’. By Brian Wall » Read More

13/05/2021 Mitigating methane slip Although touted as more eco-friendly than liquid fuels, there’s a less benign side to methane, the main ingredient of natural gas. And that relates to its effect when it escapes before combustion, according to Toby Clark » Read More

13/05/2021 SECR environmental reporting - a guide Many companies in the UK will be reporting their greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption under the government’s new streamlined energy and carbon reporting (SECR) policy for the first time this year, writes Tom Austin-Morgan » Read More

22/04/2021 Under pressure from COVID While the inspection of pressure vessels is of huge importance, the HSE has understandably made allowances for the way that COVID has impacted this. But what exactly are the rules – and what actions remain non-negotiable? By Brian Wall » Read More

22/04/2021 The benefits of reducing steam pressure A back-to-basics look at the drawbacks and benefits of high-pressure steam, and how to best manage it in process conditions. By Spirax Sarco trainer Mike Maslanka » Read More

18/03/2021 Sharing the land - a new approach for development Warwick-based property development company AC Lloyd has entered into a novel agreement with a local landowner, the Alscot Estate, offset the environmental effects of a new housing development, reports Will Dalrymple » Read More

04/03/2021 What goes up... A familiar part of industrial and commercial landscapes, gasholders – large and expandable tanks that hold natural gas for domestic consumption – are now being taken down across the country. One gas network explains how it’s done. By Will ... » Read More

23/02/2021 My weir runneth over An advanced computing system aims to improve utilities’ ability to detect blockages that might otherwise lead to sewage pollution incidents, reports Toby Clark » Read More

19/02/2021 The dual-channel principle Through a new approach to sensor information transfer, manufacturer Leuze explains how modern digital connectivity is changing the nature of electronics control. » Read More

18/02/2021 Principles of land remediation Revised Environment Agency guidance has not changed the process of planning the remediation of contaminated land or watercourses, but it has put a greater emphasis on competence and the role of sustainability » Read More

18/02/2021 Spill stop While there is no perfect way to treat large oil spills, a number of techniques have proven effective in mopping up much of them » Read More

11/02/2021 Thermal imaging to pinpoint methane leaks Methane is roughly 30 times more potent as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide – which has made detecting and tackling the massive leakages across the oil & gas industry ever more urgent, reports Brian Wall » Read More

11/02/2021 Preventing steam boiler failures With as many as a quarter of steam boilers failing their annual inspection, what should engineers be doing to improve the pass rate, asks Steed Webzell » Read More