http://www.plantengineer.org.ukIndustry News for Operations engineers, engineering updates on pumps, fans, motors, compressors, drives, generators, HVAC, energy-saving systems, control and automation, sensors, hydraulics, pneumatics, engines, repair and operations 60http://www.plantengineer.org.uk/article/39808/Bio-or-non-bio.aspxBio energy plants are being touted as offering significant economic as well as environmental benefits. Steed Webzell explains the sustainable technologies involved and assesses what plant engineers need to know 06/02/2012http://www.plantengineer.org.uk/article/39826/Cement-fan-solution-keeps-plant-in-production-.aspxA design fault on a large centrifugal fan that could have caused Hanson Cement's plant in Clitheroe to stop production, due to a failure to comply with emission regulations, has been resolved by Brammer. 06/02/2012http://www.plantengineer.org.uk/article/39809/DSEAR-hazards-.aspxAlthough DSEAR (Dangerous Systems and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations) was enacted back in 2003, its implications for hazardous plant are still misunderstood. Barrie Church explains 06/02/2012http://www.plantengineer.org.uk/article/39814/Electric-motor-loading-.aspxElectric motor loading is key to energy efficiency. That's the warning from Marek Lukaszczyk, who wants plant engineers to assess their electric motors as a matter of urgency. Brian Tinham reports 06/02/2012http://www.plantengineer.org.uk/article/39830/Emersons-smart-wireless-technology-helps-Swedish-paper-mill-.aspxSwedish paper and board firm Korsnäs Gävle is reporting better environmental compliance verification since installing Emerson Process Management's Smart Wireless instrumentation. 06/02/2012http://www.plantengineer.org.uk/article/39806/Its-all-about-engineering-.aspxAs Chancellor George Osborne ramps up the rhetoric on manufacturing, with his 'march of the makers' theme, while Prime Minister David Cameron and much of the coalition cabinet dance to a similar 'rebalancing the economy' tune, British industry is seeing a gradual resurgence. 06/02/2012http://www.plantengineer.org.uk/article/39824/Maintec-2012-.aspxWith this year's Maintec show just a few short weeks away, Brian Tinham takes a lok at what engineers, technicians and mangers can expect to find 06/02/2012http://www.plantengineer.org.uk/article/39831/Manchester-Airport-saves-4000-MWh-on-ABB-drives-and-motors-.aspxA project to upgrade the air handling units at Manchester Airport is saving 4,000 MWh, as well as cutting CO2 emissions by over 2,000 tonnes a year.06/02/2012http://www.plantengineer.org.uk/article/39810/Mass-production-.aspxCoriolis mass flowmeters have been improving in sophistication and reducing in cost for at least 25 years, but now the race is on for multi-phase metering. Brian Tinham reports 06/02/2012http://www.plantengineer.org.uk/article/39823/Plant--Asset-Management-2012-.aspxDoes the industrial maintenance sector need another exhibition? The organisers of MACH, Drives & Controls, Air-Tech and IFPEX clearly think so. Brian Tinham looks at the line-up 06/02/2012http://www.plantengineer.org.uk/article/39850/Pole-position-.aspxAlthough 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 06/02/2012http://www.plantengineer.org.uk/article/39807/Power-play-.aspxCombined heat and power, and energy storage plants are the biggest games in town. Brian Tinham looks at latest developments 06/02/2012http://www.plantengineer.org.uk/article/39825/Really-Useful-Products-makes-really-useful-savings-.aspxInternational plastics manufacturer Really Useful Products says it is enjoying a 10% increase in productivity – equating to an extra £3 million of turnover – yet without investment in additional machinery. 06/02/2012http://www.plantengineer.org.uk/article/39828/Restored-Italian-mill-generates-clean-micro-hydrolelectric-power-.aspxA former water mill, at Travesio in northern Italy, has been renovated and converted into a micro-hydroelectric scheme, and is now saving 500 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year. 06/02/2012http://www.plantengineer.org.uk/article/39815/Shock-tactics-.aspxAbout 1,000 accidents at work involving electric shock or burns – of which around 30 prove fatal – are still reported to the HSE annually. Brian Wall investigates procedures that could prevent needless deaths 06/02/2012http://www.plantengineer.org.uk/article/39827/Welsh-Water-improves-efficiency-with-new-gearboxes-.aspxWelsh Water is reporting improved efficiency at one of its sewage treatment works since replacing old worm gear drives on six half-bridge scrapers with planetary gearboxes that were a direct fit for the original boxes. 06/02/2012http://www.plantengineer.org.uk/article/38527/Adding-value-.aspxTalk to Lean specialists and, surprisingly, they'll tell you the real deal in equipment service is not planned, nor even preventive maintenance. Brian Tinham talks to Dennis McCarthy about how transform engineering 07/12/2011http://www.plantengineer.org.uk/article/38543/Bearing-the-brunt-.aspxLong-term performance of plant and machinery owes a great deal to using the right lubricants in the right quantities at the right time. Get it wrong and it could prove very costly, warns Brian Wall 07/12/2011http://www.plantengineer.org.uk/article/38536/Compressing-costs-.aspxAs compressors and associated plant continue to see engineering updates, Steed Webzell examines the cost/benefits for plant engineers seeking to improve operations 07/12/2011http://www.plantengineer.org.uk/article/38585/Cool-and-legal-.aspxNearly every commercial and industrial building has refrigeration plant. Some is well maintained, some not – until things go wrong. John Cherry updates plant engineers on their duties 07/12/2011http://www.plantengineer.org.uk/article/38523/Energy-efficiency-is-effective-now-.aspxJust a few short weeks ago, npower raised concerns that, with the UK's wide portfolio of energy regulations, this country simply cannot now raise the investment to build the low carbon future to which it is already committed. 07/12/2011http://www.plantengineer.org.uk/article/38553/Extracting-rewards-.aspxAvoiding risk, safeguarding the workforce and complying with health and safety regulations are key goals of dust and fume extraction equipment. But there's also a financial reward to be reaped, reports Brian Wall 07/12/2011http://www.plantengineer.org.uk/article/38549/Maintain-your-guard-.aspxHealth and safety regulations continue to be breached, with sometimes tragic, as well as costly consequences. David Lewis reviews the legal landscape and some salutary cases 07/12/2011http://www.plantengineer.org.uk/article/38554/MasoSine-pump-provides-rapid-drum-unloading-at-Britvic.aspxBritvic is reporting that four MasoSine SPS pumps, from Watson-Marlow, built into a bespoke drum unloading system, are allowing its plant to unload 45 gallon (200 litre) drums of fruit juice concentrate, four at a time, in just two minutes. 07/12/2011http://www.plantengineer.org.uk/article/38564/Pedigree-steam-traps-save-Marstons-60000-in-first-year-.aspxOne year after upgrading its steam traps with up-to-date equipment from Spirax Sarco, Marston's Brewery is reporting savings of £60,000 in energy and hot water costs. 07/12/2011