Plugging the cost of compressed air leaks
New products are now available that step up the efficiency of compressed air systems - especially compressors - finding and attacking leaks, and improving the management of pneumatic systems, while slashing energy losses and costs by up to 50%.
Not just hot air
With the announcement late last year that Atlas Copco compressors can now recover 100% of their energy input, Peter Lattaway provides in-depth insight into the technology
On a hire plane
When it comes to obtaining new equipment, plant engineers might want to consider renting before – or even instead of – committing to that cost. Brian Wall looks at the cost benefits
Safety and savings
Compressed air continues to offer many advantages in process industry applications, especially in hazardous areas, but often continues to be used inefficiently. Help - much of it free - is readily available to help reduce energy costs and technical solutions often have surprisingly short payback times, which are likely to become even shorter as energy prices rise.
ISIS or Oracle
What has the opening of the £200 million second target station (TS2) at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory's ISIS pulsed neutron source got to do with plant engineers? More than most mere mortals - apart, that is, from the world's scientific community, currently descending on the place. Because not only will this major achievement enable new engineering understanding, by opening our eyes to atomic interactions like never before, but the entire station is another feat of extreme plant endeavour, not dissimilar to CERN's Large Hadron Collider (Plant Engineer, November/December 2008).
Just Trays spreads compressor cost with lease purchase
Shower tray firm Just Trays says that lease purchasing its upgraded compressed air plant from Boge has made new essential equipment affordable.
Keeping it simple saves cash
Factory services like compressed air and steam systems are classic examples of functions that are only noticed when they go wrong. Nowadays, like - thankfully - modern cars, these systems can be relied upon to work consistently. But - also like cars - this reliability often means that failures are more painful, because you're less well prepared. And, while your car not starting in the morning just means you'll be late for work, your air or steam supply failing will usually have a catastrophic effect on the entire operation.
Taking the air
Energy sustainability is one of the hottest topics on the political agenda - closely linked to environmental concerns. Combine these with soaring energy costs and it's no surprise that reducing consumption on plant is right up there for industrial operations. However, in many plants, energy in the form of compressed air is simply being allowed to leak away.
Taming the beast
With applications for industrial compressors expanding, their demand for energy has reached unnecessarily dizzying levels. Brian Tinham and Brian Wall looks at how to put the beast back in its cage
Maintec 2012
With 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