Playing it safe
The October 2011 arrival of new guidance for the safe operation of steam and hot water boilers gives boiler operators and managers up-to-date advice, and recognised training is a key focus. Brian Wall reports
Raising the game
Many commercial and industrial processes present widely variable or even intermittent demands for steam. Operations engineers looking to reduce costs and improve efficiency, whilst keeping emissions to a minimum, are turning to the next-generation of rapid steam-raising plant
Passionate about energy
Every engineer knows that energy saving is good. It's almost invariably linked with worthwhile emissions savings and there are attractive financial returns. Also, installing new equipment, instrumentation and/or controls usually solves what are often annoying maintenance and/or operations headaches, as well as resulting in cleaner plant and better working environments.
Pedigree steam traps save Marston’s £60,000 in first year
One 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.
Risk Management - Taking the pressure
Before 1989, the Factories Act 1961 detailed the requirements for the examination of, and reporting on, steam and air plant within the power industry by the Competent Person (often the insurance company). Where water tube boilers were concerned, the Competent Person typically reported on three main components: the economiser, the boiler and the superheater. Inspections carried out to certify a boiler would include advice from technical bodies - in-service specialist bodies. Examples of these bodies today include E.ON's Power Technology division and RWE Innogy's specialist staff, based at Swindon.
Safety that boosts the bottom line
In a world where the failure of even a modest-sized steam boiler can cause millions of pounds' worth of damage, as well as injuries and even fatalities, the management of risk should always figure high on the agenda of any business.
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.
Is your boiler house safe?
As de-manning on steam and hot water boiler plant continues to gain momentum, operators need to consider best practice and their legal duties in respect of operational safety, warns S Moore Holmes
The case of Mr S
The role of an individual acting as, or on behalf of, a 'competent person' under PSSR (the Pressure System Safety Regulations 2000) comes with serious obligations S Moore Holmes takes us through the case of Mr S
Green without eco-bling
As energy saving climbs up plant engineers' agendas, Dr Tom Shelley reviews some of the good and not so good technologies for heating, ventilating and air conditioning