by Jane Alexander, Managing Editor | Aug 22, 2022 | Beyond RAM, The Bloch Files
It is with great sadness and the heaviest of hearts that we find ourselves reporting the recent passing of Heinz Bloch, our fellow editor and long-time mentor to us and countless others throughout industry. To paraphrase the author bio at the end of his many...
by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Aug 8, 2022 | Lubrication Corner, Plant Operations, The Bloch Files
The book excerpt on which this article is based (see editor’s note below and link at end of this page ) focuses on a number of topics, including: 1) optimally applying lubricant to rolling element bearings; 2) explaining oil mist technology, application, and...
by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Aug 1, 2022 | Lubrication Corner, Plant Operations, The Bloch Files
Reliability suffers whenever best-available technology is not being used. Motivated engineers are well aware of this; they will learn, disseminate, and teach facts. Facts enable these professionals to add value during their entire lives. However, as they continually...
by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Jul 24, 2022 | Lubrication Corner, Plant Operations, The Bloch Files
Next time a process pump fails, a particular owner-operator is handed a fine opportunity go beyond the typical repair. In such a case, it would be appropriate to upgrade the pump and, thus, greatly reduce the probability of repeat failures. However, the first thing to...
by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Jul 18, 2022 | Lubrication Corner, Plant Operations, The Bloch Files
In 1986, a facility with slightly more than 3,200 process pumps reported its failure distribution over a 5-year period. Then, as today, the reporting plant recognized that all failures, regardless of what machines are involved, can be attributed to one or, perhaps,...
by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Jul 10, 2022 | Lubrication Corner, Plant Operations, The Bloch Files
We are focusing on oil mist in this how-to article. Suppose oil-mist preservation had been applied to a machine in an oil-mist storage yard. Whenever that machine is being moved to its permanent-installation site (usually a foundation), turn off the oil-mist system or...
by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Jul 4, 2022 | Lubrication Corner, Plant Operations, The Bloch Files
Over the course of several recent discussions in The RAM Review, we’ve highlighted various lubrication strategies and issues, many of them related to long- and short-term storage of industrial equipment. Among other things, we have emphasized the pros and cons...
by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Jun 26, 2022 | Lubrication Corner, Plant Operations, The Bloch Files
Too often, the reward system for project managers encourages them to focus excessively on initial cost savings. Best-in-class (BiC) companies avoid upsetting the needed balance between keeping project costs in check when building the plant while, at the same time...
by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Jun 19, 2022 | Lubrication Corner, Plant Operations, The Bloch Files
information in this article relates to “mothballing” (i.e., storage protection or “hibernation”) of equipment that starts out clean. Chances are one gets away with implementing equipment preservation two or three weeks after the asset has been shut down or...
by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Jun 11, 2022 | Plant Operations, The Bloch Files, The Sustainable Plant
Global warming is a scientific reality governed by facts that the well-informed will never dispute. Adversely trending warming effects and shifting weather patterns have contributed to catastrophic famines, destruction of forests, huge stresses on sea life, disastrous...
