Manufacturing

• RS-232 is Simple, Robust Serial Communications Method

  RS-232 is Simple, Robust Serial Communications Method All communications are serial communications, from the high-tech data bouncing around satellites to synchronizing your phone to a computer. Even human speech is a form of serial communication. This article discusses a simple yet robust communication method that has been around for nearly 60 years: RS-232. RS-232 is […]

  Read MoreEric Tolles, PE / Automation Solutions / Industrial Automation Engineering / IT / Manufacturing Operations Management / Manufacturing Process Control / Serial Communications / Software Design / Automation Integration / Manufacturing / etolles /

• Sustainable Lighting Upgrades – Opportunities for Improvement

  Sustainable Lighting Upgrades – Opportunities for Improvement Lighting System Upgrades: The Switch to LED As companies steer their operations toward more efficient operating models and strive to hit corporate sustainability targets, every opportunity for cost and energy reduction needs to be examined. A frequent target for operating cost reduction is facility lighting system upgrades. Lighting […]

  Read MoreDoug Medley, PE / ASHRAE / Energy Audit / Energy Efficiency / Energy Waste / Multidiscipline Engineering / Peak Power Demand / Power Factor / Variable Speed / Sustainability / Manufacturing / dmedley /

• Design Considerations for Equipment and Piping Layout: Locating Valves and Special Equipment

  Design Considerations for Equipment and Piping Layout: Locating Valves and Special Equipment This is the last article in a four-part series on equipment and piping layout.  This article reviews guidelines for locating various types of valves, and also considers the equipment needs of heat exchangers, fired equipment, and instrumentation. The first article provided guidelines for […]

  Read MoreScott Saneholtz, PE / Piping Engineer / Piping Layout / Process Engineer / Construction / Manufacturing / ssaneholtz /

• Design Considerations for Equipment and Piping Layout: Straight Talk About Pipes

  Design Considerations for Equipment and Piping Layout: Straight Talk About Pipes This is the third in a four-part series on equipment and piping layout.  This article provides guidelines for piping and pipe rack layouts. The first article provided guidelines for vessels, cooling towers, and compressors. The second article discussed equipment layout considerations for pumps. The series […]

  Read MoreScott Saneholtz, PE / Piping Engineer / Piping Layout / Process Engineer / Construction / Manufacturing / ssaneholtz /

• Safety Instrumented Systems: Complying with the ISA 84 Standards

  Safety Instrumented Systems: Complying with the ISA 84 Standards The ISA 84 standard is a performance based standard that gives guidance on how to determine the degree of risk, and design an SIS for hazards in the process industries. Not only does the standard prescribe design approaches, it also requires testing and maintenance to ensure […]

  Read MoreMichael Johnson, PE / IEC 61511 / ISA 84 / Oil and Gas Engineering / Process Safety / Safety Instrumented System / Safety Integrity Level / Construction / Manufacturing / mjohnson /

• Design Considerations for Equipment and Piping Layout: The Ins and Outs of Pumps

  Design Considerations for Equipment and Piping Layout: The Ins and Outs of Pumps This is the second in a four-part series on equipment and piping layout.  This article discusses the equipment layout considerations for pumps, as well as guidelines for the pump’s suction and discharge piping. The first article provided guidelines for vessels, cooling towers, […]

  Read MoreScott Saneholtz, PE / Piping Engineer / Piping Layout / Process Engineer / Construction / Manufacturing / ssaneholtz /

• How to Lower Your Facility’s Electric Bill: Tweaking Your Energy Efficiency and Power Usage

  How to Lower Your Facility’s Electric Bill:  Tweaking Your Energy Efficiency and Power Usage  Your home electric bill is usually based on a simple calculation: How many kilowatt hours (kWh) did you use?  Your energy consumption can be seen by watching how fast the little disk spins inside your electric meter. Seldom are industrial and […]

  Read MoreVince Trejchel, PE / Electrical Engineering / Energy Conservation / Energy Efficiency / Energy Savings / Manufacturing Plant Safety / Power Demand / Power Engineering / Power Usage / Construction / Manufacturing / vtrejchel /

• Design Considerations for Equipment and Piping Layout: Guidelines for Vessels

  Design Considerations for Equipment and Piping Layout:  Guidelines for Vessels This is the first in a four-part series on equipment and piping layout. This article provides guidelines for equipment that includes tanks, horizontal and vertical vessels, cooling towers, and compressors.  The second article will discuss layout considerations for pumps. Guidelines for piping layout and pipe racks will […]

  Read MoreScott Saneholtz, PE / Oil and Gas Engineering / Piping Engineer / Piping Layout / Process Engineer / Construction / Manufacturing / ssaneholtz /

• Don’t Let Thermal Expansion Cause Excessive Piping Stress: Part 3, How to Inspect Your Piping to Prevent Problems

  Don’t Let Thermal Expansion Cause Excessive Piping Stress: Part 3, How to Inspect Your Piping to Prevent Problems This is the final installment in a three-part series on thermal expansion and piping stress.  The first article provides a primer on the basics of the thermal expansion and contraction found in industrial facilities. The second article focuses […]

  Read MoreChris Mach, PE / Oil & Gas / Pipe Stress / Piping Engineer / Piping Stress / Process Engineer / Stress Analysis / Thermal Contraction / Thermal Expansion / Construction / Manufacturing / cmach /

• Thermal Expansion and Piping Stress: Part 2, Stress Analysis and Proper Engineering Prevent Problems

  Thermal Expansion and Piping Stress: Part 2, Stress Analysis and Proper Engineering Prevent Problems This is the second in a three-part series on thermal expansion and piping stress. The first article provided a primer on the basics of the thermal expansion and contraction found in industrial facilities. This article focuses on the importance of proper […]

  Read MoreChris Mach, PE / Oil & Gas / Pipe Stress / Piping Engineer / Process Engineer / Stress Analysis / Thermal Contraction / Construction / Manufacturing / cmach /