Working smarter, not harder, is important at every time, but it takes on added significance during tough economic times. None of us can afford to waste resources foolishly, whether they be labor, equipment, energy or even manufactured product. In this issue of Process Heating, we bring you articles about temperature profiling, heat recovery methods and fans that will help you get the most out of your processes and heat processing equipment.

First up is “Ease HACCP Headaches” by Dr. Steve Offley, a food product manager with temperature profiling and analysis systems maker Datapaq Inc., Wilmington, Mass. Offley outlines the seven main principles that are used to identify, control, monitor and document potential hazards in food processing operations, and then explains how an effective temperature profiling program can help accomplish these objectives. Though HACCP is a protocol intended specifically food processing, the principles behind it can be applied in other processes. Consider how profiling can help your process.

With “Waste Heat Recovery 101,” an article excerpted and reprinted with permission from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Industrial Technologies Program, you learn how to recapture some of the BTUs your heat processing equipment has produced -- before they disappear up the stack. While not all processes are candidates for waste heat recovery, the article notes that improving existing equipment often can make a real difference.

Even under the best maintenance program, fans and blowers inevitably will need to be repaired or replaced. Thomas J. Kuli, chief engineer, and Tim Rape, repair/rebuild manager, for Robinson Industries Inc., Zelienople, Pa., a manufacturer of fans and blowers for the process industries, describe the three common causes of fan damage -- wear, corrosion and temperature -- and explain how fan repairs can address and even improve existing fan designs.

Also in this issue, Jim Parrish describes how stainless steel coils came to deliver the performance needed to allow effective, efficient lumber dehumidification. This collaborative effort between equipment makers resulted in process equipment that withstands harsh operating environments.

Linda Becker, Associate Publisher & Editor, BeckerL@bnpmedia.com

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