by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Mar 20, 2022 | Plant Operations, The Bloch Files, Workforce Issues
All the book-learning in the world will fail us if we don’t use common sense. We could also say that we need to think things through and should recognize that intuitive logic can lead us astray. If that sounds like semantic banter, let’s zero in on three practical...
by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Mar 6, 2022 | RAM Tools & Methods, The Bloch Files
For years, it has been the contention of Reliability Professionals that root cause failure analysis (RCFA) is a skill that must be taught, absorbed, and consistently practiced. We agree with the CEO of a prominent RCFA training company, which, for several decades, has...
by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Feb 27, 2022 | Plant Operations, Tech Reviews, The Bloch Files
If you have struggled for a while with conventional pumps, viscosity-correction factors, and the like, you may be ready to think about recessed-impeller units. They’re often considered to be optimum for pumping duties that include free-flowing slurries, sludge,...
by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Feb 19, 2022 | Asset Management, Plant Operations
It’s too bad I cannot share all the details of a consulting experience that dates back a few years. Doing so is often thwarted by clients who first make a competent advisor sign a non-disclosure agreement and, occasionally, a non-defamation clause. In...
by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Feb 14, 2022 | Asset Management, Plant Operations, The Bloch Files
To recap, the author’s previous article for The RAM Review (Feb. 6, 2022, see link below) discussed a letter from mechanical engineer in South America who was seeking guidance on steam turbines for a combined-cycle-power-plant. The suitability of one type of...
by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Feb 6, 2022 | Asset Management, Plant Operations, The Bloch Files
We recently received a compliment from someone in South America. In his introduction, he wrote, “I am a mechanical engineer working on power-plant designs for a major corporation and admire your work as a writer of turbomachinery books. Your texts are much respected,...
by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Jan 30, 2022 | Professional Development, RAM Tools & Methods, The Bloch Files
If past is prelude, we should soon be seeing the return of robust reliability and/or maintenance conferences and exhibitions. Many of us have attended these annual events in years past. Some that quickly come to mind include, among other things, those organized by the...
by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Jan 23, 2022 | Asset Management, RAM Tools & Methods, The Bloch Files
Just as good medical doctors are expected to know much about modern treatment options, we should also expect reliability professionals to be informed on advances in technology. Conscientious reliability professionals will take advantage of books, articles, editorial...
by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Jan 15, 2022 | Lubrication Corner, RAM Tools & Methods, The Bloch Files
One of my recent articles (Jan. 10, 2022, see link below) made the case for simplified equipment-failure analysis. We referred to it as the FRETT approach. FRETT stands for Force, Reactive Environment, Time, and Temperature. Its application is best explained using an...
by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Jan 10, 2022 | Asset Management, RAM Tools & Methods, The Bloch Files
Successful failure-analysis and -avoidance strategies will have structure and be repeatable. Within the scope of this article, the reader is (again) reminded of some straightforward routines that have been in use since the 1960s. These techniques are anchored in two...
