NEWS


COMMENT W


elcome to the October issue of Process & Control Engineering.


This month we take a look at the


technology and topics making an impact on the process industries.


In the week that the government approved drilling at the Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea,


which it says will pave the way for gas to be extracted and used in Britain’s gas network within weeks, our feature on page 12 looks at alternative methods of energy production, namely biogas. As businesses become increasingly focused on reducing their


environmental burden and becoming more efficient and carbon-neutral, biogas production will continue to grow. The feature explains how there are five key areas where plant owners can focus their attention on getting optimal efficiency from operations – flexibility, sizing, quality, standards, and performance optimisation. Sticking with the theme of energy, the feature on page 28-29 outlines electrification roadmaps for heavy industry.


Heavy industry faces a difficult balancing act: increase productivity while using energy more efficiently and cutting costs and emissions. As the shift away from fossil fuels gathers pace, the question is no longer whether to electrify, but how to turn that ambition into a practical business strategy. The feature discusses how for most industrial businesses, electrification happens one investment decision at a time. A steady cadence of upgrades reduces implementation risk, works with existing maintenance schedules and delivers measurable improvements along the way. The best results come from a practical roadmap that aligns technology upgrades with business priorities. Michelle Lea – Editor


PRECISION MANUFACTURING REQUIRES HANDS-ON SKILLS A


s demand for sophisticated flow measurement technology grows, manufacturers face an evolving


challenge: increasing production capability without compromising the precision, quality and performance that underpin reliable measurement. For Titan Enterprises, the solution is to combine


modern manufacturing and design technologies with something that cannot easily be automated – the knowledge, judgement and hands-on skills of an experienced engineering workforce. Titan’s R&D process relies heavily on computer- aided design (CAD), 3D printing, electronics design software and programming. These technologies allow components and technologies to be developed, tested and modified with greater precision before physical manufacture. However, digital tools do not replace experience and engineering judgement. Understanding how materials respond to pressure and temperature, how components will manufacture and how minute changes in geometry can influence flow measurement remains dependent on practical engineering experience and extensive testing. Flowmeters are precision measurement instruments, meaning small variations in dimensions, surface finish, alignment or assembly can dramatically impact performance. This is particularly important with positive


4


displacement oval gear meters, where gears must rotate freely and consistently within a precision- machined measuring chamber. Titan’s technicians can work to tolerances of around 3 microns on critical components.


During development, performance issues can sometimes be traced to factors such as surface finish or minute material deformation. Resolving these issues requires engineers to investigate, modify, rebuild and retest physical components – demonstrating the continuing value of hands-on manufacturing knowledge. Titan performs flowmeter calibration in-house using positive displacement piston-prover systems covering flow ranges from 2ml/min to 200l/min, with calibrations traceable to national standards. Despite the sophistication of this equipment, calibration remains highly dependent on trained personnel. Titan’s production rigs are almost


entirely manually operated, with skilled staff carrying out multi-point calibration on thousands of meters each month. Technicians must fully understand the equipment, recognise abnormal behaviour, eliminate any potential sources of error, and assess whether the results accurately represent flowmeter performance. For Titan, the future of manufacturing lies in combining engineering expertise with advanced technology. Engineering design tools, sophisticated electronics and increasingly capable calibration equipment provide greater efficiency and development capability, while skilled engineers provide the judgement needed to use these tools effectively. “At Titan, our expertise and consistent quality is


built through experience, training and a workforce that takes pride in what it does,” stated Jeremy Thorne, Titan’s Operations Manager. “Our people bring decades of specialist flow measurement knowledge to the business and retaining that expertise is fundamental to maintaining our high standards. Long-term staff retention gives us continuity, preserves critical skills and enables knowledge transfer across a growing team. Ultimately, it is our people who make the difference – ensuring the quality, consistency and technical expertise our customers have grown to expect.” u www.flowmeters.co.uk


PROCESS & CONTROL ENGINEERING | OCTOBER 2026


I&E AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED


T


he winners of the 2026 Instrumentation & Electronics Awards have officially been announced, recognising pioneering products and exceptional achievements across the instrumentation and electronics sectors. Jointly organised by Datateam’s Instrumentation Monthly and Components in Electronics (CIE), the awards continue to spotlight innovation and impact within the industry. The prestigious ceremony took place on Thursday 15 October 2026 at the elegant Grand Connaught Rooms, Covent Garden, London. Hosted by comedian Ian Moore and University Challenge legend Roger Tilling, the evening offered a vibrant mix of celebration and connection – featuring a welcome drinks reception, live entertainment, a three-course dinner, and prime opportunities for industry networking.


Congratulations to all the 2026 winners! And a huge thank you to our


generous sponsors of the 2026 Instrumentation & Electronics Awards, listed alphabetically, whose support made the event possible: Diamond Electronics, Emerson, Grand Bridges and BWW, Katronic, Microchip Technology, Napier, and Vision Engineering,


For the full list of winners visit https://iandeawards.co.uk/2026-winners/


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