by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Apr 28, 2021 | Asset Management, Plant Operations, The Bloch Files
A standard centrifugal pump will let you down in services handling free-flowing slurries, sludge, and fibrous materials. If used in such applications, a standard centrifugal pump may clog, become vapor-bound, or wear excessively. This is where pumps with fully...
by Drew Troyer, CRE, CMRP, T.A. Cook/Accenture, Editor | Apr 18, 2021 | Plant Operations, RAM Tools & Methods, RAM's Human Factor
We’ve all heard it, again and again: “What gets measured gets done.” That’s not entirely true, however. In reality, what gets measured tends to get rewarded or punished, which, in turn, results in things getting done. In last week’s issue of The RAM Review, I...
by Howard Penrose, Ph.D., CMRP | Apr 17, 2021 | Electrical Reliability, Plant Operations, The Sustainable Plant
Standard approaches to industrial and commercial surveys and audits have inherent problems. If it is an energy audit, the focus is strictly on energy savings. If the audit is on waste-stream or reliability and maintenance, the focus, typically, is on just those...
by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Apr 17, 2021 | Asset Management, Plant Operations, The Bloch Files
As with other industrial-business pursuits, a well-trained workforce is essential to safety and reliability performance. Process plants and utilities can reverse unfavorable trends in those areas by paying attention to training topics that limit exposure to...
by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Apr 11, 2021 | Newsletter Column, Plant Operations, The Bloch Files
Several years ago, during a round of technical pump-related communications with a reliability engineer in Europe, he sent a particularly thought-provoking note. This engineer worked for a prominent oil refiner and, clearly, wanted to let me know all that glitters is...
by Drew Troyer, CRE, CMRP, T.A. Cook/Accenture, Editor | Apr 9, 2021 | Plant Operations, RAM Tools & Methods, RAM's Human Factor
My last article for The RAM Review (April 4, 2021, see link below) explored the important role middle managers can play in achieving transformational change. In it, I discussed the concept of psychological inertia. In physics, we refer to a force that has both rate...
by Howard Penrose, Ph.D., CMRP | Apr 9, 2021 | Electrical Reliability, Plant Operations, The Sustainable Plant
We frequently think of electric motors and driven equipment when the topic of energy efficiency comes up. On the other hand, the energy-transmission component, or coupling, also has an energy-efficiency rating that can be affected by things such as application and...
by Drew Troyer, CRE, CMRP, T.A. Cook/Accenture, Editor | Apr 3, 2021 | Plant Operations, RAM Tools & Methods, RAM's Human Factor
As a consultant, I support my clients with a variety of initiatives to improve the performance, reliability, safety, and environmental sustainability of their plant equipment and manufacturing processes. Sometimes these initiatives are small, given the fact we’re...
by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Apr 3, 2021 | Asset Management, Plant Operations, The Bloch Files
It is not the purpose, nor within the scope of this article to give detailed field erection and installation specifications for the many rotating machines found in modern process industry. However, field erection and installation specifications are not left to chance...
by Howard Penrose, Ph.D., CMRP | Apr 3, 2021 | Electrical Reliability, Plant Operations, The Sustainable Plant
Compressed-air systems are an important part of most plant operations. That said, these systems have typically been the most inefficient utility in plants. Even in a well-maintained compressed-air system, to operate a one-horsepower air motor, you generally need seven...
