Sustainability

The automated stacker is a tool for picking loads off the ground or at heights up to 72”. Courtesy: Raymond Corp.
Energy, Power December 13, 2019

Energy solutions will define our futures

What you have seen in automotive, you will see in lift trucks.

By Damon Hosmer
An illustration shows a battery’s cathode undergoing phase transition from iron phosphate (FP) to lithium iron phosphate (LFP) during charging. Simulations by Rice University scientists showed that adding defects — distortions in their crystal lattices — could help batteries charge faster. Courtesy; Kaiqi Yang, Rice University
Energy Efficiency December 12, 2019

Detours can improve batteries for electronics, solar energy storage

Scientists at Rice University’s Brown School of Engineering have discovered that placing specific defects could improve how lithium ions travel in batteries.

By Mike Williams
By automating absence of voltage verification and completing the entire verification process in 10 seconds, Panduit’s VeriSafe absence-of-voltage-tester (AVT) enables plants to work faster, safer, and more efficiently. Courtesy: Panduit
Safety November 30, 2019

Employing PtD as the first line of defense against control panel electrical hazards

Prevention through design (PtD) can help manufacturers keep workers safe from electrical hazards, which remains one of the most common dangers they face daily. Do you use the five-point hierarchy of risk?

By Martin Kronz
Energy, Power November 18, 2019

Synthetic compounds could help produce more energy from biogas

Researchers at the University of Michigan have found that synthetic compounds, called siloxanes, could be harnessed to produce more energy for industries such as wastewater treatment plants and other energy-dependent industries.

By James Lynch
Energy, Power November 11, 2019

Top 5 Plant Engineering articles November 4-10

Articles about Leaders Under 40, low battery self-discharge, optimized maintenance programs, Industry 4.0 success, and industrial fire systems were Plant Engineering’s five most clicked articles from November 4-10. Miss something? You can catch up here.

By Chris Vavra
With on-site nitrogen generation, consumers can get nitrogen at the purity level needed, often at a cost savings when compared to the cost of highly pure tanked nitrogen. Courtesy: Atlas Copco
Energy Management November 8, 2019

Understand the PRICE of nitrogen

Generating your own may be the best way to go

By Brett Maiorano
Courtesy: CFE Media
Energy Management October 11, 2019

Energy management’s strategic role shifting for manufacturers

Reliable energy efficiency policies are being given a new lease on life by the introduction of better technology solutions.

By Vincent de Rul
Workforce Development October 9, 2019

Workforce development, batteries

The October issue of AppliedAutomation focuses on workforce development through universities and colleges and battery safety.

By Jack Smith
ISO 50001 is designed to identify and implement energy projects that save money by integrating with smart technologies that provide data and help control energy use. A continuous improvement model is divided into four steps: Plan, do, act and check. Courtesy: Department of Energy, Energy Solutions Center (ESC)
Codes and Standards September 30, 2019

ISO 50001 benefits for manufacturers

The ISO 50001 standards establishes an energy policy and process to achieve energy management objectives for manufacturers.

By Gas Technology
Energy, Power September 28, 2019

Low battery self-discharge: the hidden secret to long operating life

While much media attention has been focused on extending battery operating life through the use of low-power chipsets and communication protocols, the potential energy savings gained from all of these schemes fails to compare with the energy lost to annual self-discharge.

By Sol Jacobs