by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Oct 17, 2020 | Asset Management, Plant Operations, The Bloch Files
Equipment purchasers are always interested in meeting the cost and schedule targets for projects. There could, however, be conflicting goals when purchasing drivers and/or auxiliaries from vendors other than the primary fluid-machinery manufacturer. While cost targets...
by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Oct 10, 2020 | Learning from Mistakes, Plant Operations
At a gathering of reliability professionals in Texas, the coordinator invited questions from the audience. I was asked what I thought of installing flexible piping, joints, or connectors on centrifugal pumps. My answer was relatively short and specific. I’ve...
by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Oct 4, 2020 | Newsletter Column, The Bloch Files, Workforce Issues
Failure analysis of fluid machinery often focuses on the part that failed. If the bearing failed, it must be because “the bearing is bad.” Mechanics and machinists then often react by doing the obvious: Replace the bearing. However, if we replace parts without first...
by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Sep 26, 2020 | Plant Operations, RAM Tools & Methods, The Bloch Files
We’re using this space to wrap up our short series on the importance of machinery-quality assessments (MQAs) that began on Sept. 4, 2020 (see list of previous articles below). The overall message: MQAs can be an important tool for those seeking to zero in on...
by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Sep 17, 2020 | Plant Operations, RAM Tools & Methods, The Bloch Files
This technical note on seal-flush plans is part of my series on machinery-quality assessments (MQAs) for The RAM Review. It’s a follow-up to the most recent article in that series, “An MQA Approach to Seals and Flush Plans” (Sept. 12, 2020)....
by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Sep 12, 2020 | Plant Operations, RAM Tools & Methods, The Bloch Files
This article is based on a real-world situation related to to my recent article (Sept. 4, 2020) on the value of machinery-quality assessments (MQAs) in selecting best-available technologies for plant applications. Here, I discuss how a former manager’s feedback...
by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Sep 4, 2020 | Plant Operations, RAM Tools & Methods, The Bloch Files
A reliability professional’s workday is almost entirely proactive. Such individuals are quasi “Fire Preventers;” they are not “Fire Fighters.” They use much of their available time to obtain answers to three questions: 1. Is an upgrade possible or do we...
by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Aug 28, 2020 | Tech Reviews, The Bloch Files
This article is a follow-up to my recent review of compressor-valve and steam-gland technologies (August 20, 2020). As discussed in that piece, those particular products may not have been brand new, but I considered them worthy of a closer look. To repeat, reliability...
by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Aug 20, 2020 | Tech Reviews, The Bloch Files
This short piece is taking a somewhat different direction than my typical columns and articles for The RAM Review. This week, I’m providing some information on two innovative technologies that could be of interest to reliability-focused engineers in...
by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Aug 17, 2020 | Newsletter Column, The Bloch Files, Workforce Issues
This opinion just happens to focus on one of my favorite topics: lubrication issues. The points I bring up emphasize the importance of learning through disciplined reading and researching, not simply guessing. That type of disciplined approach certainly applies to...
