A set of equipment that packs into a shipping container, and germinates and grows up to 20,000 plant seedlings every five days, has been declared British Invention of the Year.
Green Technology
Most plants might benefit from an energy audit, but many could also do with a review of operations, aimed at improving everything from efficiency to product quality. Dr Tom Shelley reports
Energy Audits
Most toxic and flammable gas detectors feature the fundamental flaw of failing to danger. Dr Tom Shelley looks at the problem and some useful solutions
Fire Protection
The revised Machinery Directive will have an effect on operations engineers using lifting equipment. Dr Tom Shelley reports
Lifting Equipment
Emerson's Fisher Fieldvue digital valve controllers can now be integrated into any process control system that supports FDT/DTM technology.
valve actuators
Combined heat and power has come a very long way since Battersea Power Station. Dr Tom Shelley looks at some of the advances and offers engineering advice
Gas Turbines
Lifting specialist JD Neuhaus is reporting success with tests on a hydraulic monorail hoist in a cryogenic test chamber in the Netherlands.
Lifting Equipment
Paracube Micro, the oxygen sensor from Hummingbird, is said to deliver substantial cost and maintenance savings in fixed point oxygen monitoring systems.
Gas Analyses
Two more models have been added to the Finish Thompson SP series of magnetic drive, self-priming centrifugal pumps.
Pumps
Using condition monitoring technologies to anticipate a requirement for critical plant maintenance isn't new, but novel systems are improving the potential, reports Dr Tom Shelley
Vibration Monitoring
Although hydraulics and pneumatics are very mature branches of engineering, Dr Tom Shelley finds useful developments involving specialist hoses and air pumps
Diagnosing problems in rotating machinery well before anything has a chance to break makes a whole lot of sense. Dr Tom Shelley reports on the range of technological making a difference
Vibration Monitoring