Twelve Powerspex employees have completed the thermodynamics course, a pilot that is being rolled out to more companies. The course contributes to increasing knowledge in this area and immediately to the optimization of processes.
Powerspex is basically a boiler construction automation company. Director Jan Wilmink wants employees to have thorough knowledge of boiler construction and, together with Technicom, arranged for a comprehensive course in thermodynamics.
Knowledge throughout the company
Since then, Paul van der Kraan of Techdoc Control has been providing thermodynamics courses for twelve Powerspex employees every Thursday afternoon. The twelve are working within different departments of Powerspex, so the knowledge is present and can be shared throughout the company.
More than the basics
The course focuses on boiler construction. Thermodynamics is taught in school, but only covers the basics, not how it works as far as boilers are concerned.
"While that is precisely what is important," says project engineer and course participant Lars Weiden. "All students utilize the info from the course differently. For some, the basic knowledge is useful just for contacts with customers - that applies to me, for example - while others apply it directly in their work. The simulation engineers use the knowledge to optimize processes. The fuel-air ratio, for example; how do you optimize it? Important knowledge in optimization."
Pilot roll out
The thermodynamics course is a pilot to increase knowledge in this field. The pilot is now being run at Powerspex and the intention is to roll out the course to other companies to increase knowledge of thermodynamics.
Powerspex's 12 trainees have now finished their training; the last day of the course has just taken place.
About Technicom
Technicom is a Twente training company that strengthens the position of process operators and maintenance workers and encourages skilled workers from outside the industry to work in process automation.
The thermodynamics course is part of a new learning line for production technicians. The O&O Fund was closely involved in its design.