Reflections on the 2005 World Batch Forum conference

In this "special to the web" article, WBF Chairman Maurice Wilkins offers his thoughts on the 2005 WBF conference held last month in Atlantic City.

Control system security: What's in your server?

Security threats to control system networks are a fact of life. See these tips and techniques culled from end users and vendors on how you can keep the Barbarians at bay.

The essentiality of process-safety management

The Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) says revision of the Process Safety Management standard is necessary, but OSHA disagrees.

Automating Valve Procurement (AVP) through a PIP “Valve Matcher Catalog System”

Automated Valve Procurement (AVP) is a proposed joint effort between Process Industry Practices (PIP) and FIATECH. AVP is, in three words, online valve matching.

Process manufacturing: Suppliers hope to foster more outsourcing at plants

Companies, already having outsourced a lot of back office functions such as information technology (IT) and human resources management, now are targeting more central business functions, such as accounting and even R&D.

Author: Nick Basta

Process Industry Practices 9th Annual Conference

The theme for this year’s PIP Conference was “Changing Times – The Common Denominator”. With over 140 registered attendees the conference included participants from member, subscriber, and licensee companies as well as other invited guests from the industry.

Author: Process Industry Practices

Compressed Air Systems: The Secret is in the Pipe

There’s no such thing as too large a compressed air line.  A common error in compressed air systems is line sizes too small for the desired air flow.

Author: Hank van Ormer, Don van Ormer and Scott van Ormer

Process engineering: Avoid pitfalls when starting up pumps

Improper startup can result in excessive temperature and radial loading, both of which can lead to lower pump reliability from problems such as seal and bearing failure. Consultant Ross Mackay describes the three steps that should be followed during pump startup.

HART Devices - Dispelling the Myths

Myths and misconceptions surround the HART Communication technology despite being in use for as many as 15 years in some places. This article dispels those myths and highlights the benefits of HART.

Author: Ed T. Ladd, Jr., HART Communication Foundation, Austin, Texas

Hydraulic Institute launches new educational initiative, "Pump Systems Matter"

The Hydraulic Institute has launched a new National Pump Systems Educational Initiative called "Pump Systems Matter." Its primary focus is on pump systems education and outreach as well as energy savings.