G. McMillan

From the mid-1970s to the mid-1990s, the hiring of engineers and technicians dwindled to new lows. Technical training was replaced with management training programs. Fast-track employees aspired to be managers rather than technical leaders. This, combined with the early retirement of most of the experienced engineers and technicians, led to a huge gap in age and experience in the area of process/industrial instrumentation and control. Companies have attempted to replenish their technical capability in the past few years, but the new hires are typically not given a mentor, access to a technical training program, and technical support. Nor are they given time to develop their skills on projects of incremental complexity. Often they are thrown immediately into some very difficult situations.

To help address this new need, the emphasis of the new material in the handbook has shifted from operating principles to application guidance. New features and process conditions that are important considerations for successful installations are discussed. Selection ratings, key points, and rules of thumb are offered. This update provides the reader with a perspective and appreciation for what is important for implementation from authors with decades of experience.

Plants have also suffered from neglect. In attempt to improve the return on equity, capital was not made available to replace old equipment. Meantime, the surge in the economy means plants are running at 200% or more of name-plate capacity. As a result, equipment is pushed beyond its normal operating region. This has increased the benefits from process...