Within the UK, manufacturing is seeing sustained growth, which contrasts with the manufacturing slump over the previous two years. In 2023, the UK moved up one position in the global ranking to become the world’s 8th largest manufacturer, globally, by order of output. Manufacturing in our country employs 2.6 million people and adds £224 billion to our economy. This level has an expected compound growth rate of 1.37% between 2024 – 2029*.

Last year, the government announced a £4.5 billion injection of extra funds to bolster economic growth and support for key sectors, predominantly clean energy and nuclear production. The total UK export market, which includes products and services globally, is circa £859 billion. This consists of over 283,600 UK-based companies exporting around the globe.

According to data directly from the Department for Trade and Industry (DTI), the export of instrumentation is included in one of its top ten categories.

Delta Mobrey—A UK Manufacturer

Delta Mobrey, with its manufacturing site based in Surrey, UK, has over a century of experience and expertise in providing process instrumentation to multiple industries, not just within the UK, but also to customers across the globe.  This site serves as a hub for producing high quality and robust process instrumentation that is essential for the measurement and control of flow, pressure, level and temperature. We take pride in incorporating our cumulative knowledge and experience into all our products, ensuring continued reliability and performance in safety-critical environments.

Our Products and Ethos

Producing customer essential products, both standard and bespoke, is at the core of Delta Mobrey’s mission for customers. Our range of products include:

• Switches
• Transmitters
• Level controls
• Boiler controls
• Water level management and detection

Our on-site services provide comprehensive support to our customers, ensuring optimal performance and reliability of our products.

Exceeding customer’s expectations; having dependability built into our entire product suite and to have quality as standard is the platform on which Delta Mobrey continues to manufacture, within the UK. For more information on our product range, contact our regional sales teams.

* From Make UK

London Energy and Delta Mobrey worked in tandem to ensure continued energy production could be sustained when a boiler level control board was found to have damaged electrical components at the London Energy site. The original vendor no longer supported the product, but London Energy needed to find a resolution as soon as possible. In under a week, Delta Mobrey worked with the engineers from London Energy, conducted testing and fault-finding analysis, and found a unique solution that enabled London Energy to continue using its existing infrastructure with Delta Mobrey’s SIL2 capable Hydrastep 2468.

London Energy – The Customer with a Focus on Reuse, Recycling, and Recovery

London Energy collects the waste from six London areas, the equivalent of about 1.9 million homes and reuses some consumables found, recycles them, or incinerates the generic waste and recovers the energy by generating electricity. This electricity is then returned to the National Grid for use by the London Energy site, local businesses, and the local community.

The process of collecting waste and turning this back into energy for the local area is known as a circular economy, and this is something that London Energy excels at. Their energy plant is one of the largest in the UK, so an extensive number of homes and residents depend on the successful management of the entire process.

The incineration process is highly regulated, so any emissions are within defined tolerances. At London Energy, they have five industrial steam boilers, one for each of the bunkers. The steam boilers are exceptionally powerful and need consistent supervisory management and maintenance to ensure not just the production of electricity, but also the elimination of waste.

A Problem With Production

One of the control boards had a failed boiler level control circuit board, with damaged electronic components. Losing the electronic boiler level control on the number 5 boiler meant London Energy could not operate the boiler safely. The original equipment supplier no longer sold or supported the damaged part.

To maintain the required level of energy output, London Energy needs to have all five bunkers and steam boilers functioning well. If one aspect fails, they will have a backlog of waste which would be detrimental to health, as well as a 20% drop in the level of electricity sent to the National Grid. This is a significant problem for an organisation such as London Energy, who provide essential electricity to the surrounding community.

Delta Mobrey Service Department

London Energy called our service team, requesting a site visit to assess the damage to see if the circuit board could be repaired.

In under a day, we had a field engineer onsite measuring the system at London Energy and preparing to return to our factory with the damaged PCB and an electrode. At the Delta Mobrey premises in Camberley, we conducted tests on the customer’s equipment, and within a few hours concluded the board was not salvageable, and a replacement board would need to be designed.

We continued to conduct tests on the electrode provided by London Energy and discovered it worked on our Hydrastep 2468. Within a few days, our tests had proven we could use a new Hydrastep 2468 to take the information from the old water column. This ensured that we could fit a main board from our SIL2 capable Hydrastep and use it within London Energy. At the customer’s premises, we also mounted an external remote display and one internal remote display for the control room.

In under a week, we assessed the problem, completed specific engineering tests on the equipment, checked the compatibility between the current system with our product portfolio and installed it at the customer’s premises; ensuring they were working back up to their full complement of waste to energy bunkers and boilers with reduced impact on the supported community.

Delta Mobrey works with customers to overcome a variety of engineering issues and uses our in-house expertise to provide a viable solution. As a company, we specialise in product adaptations to make a product solution for a customer’s specific needs.

Delta Mobrey USA, based in Cypress, Texas, supplier of Hydrastep water level monitoring systems, welcomes the announcement in March 2024 of the trade pact between Texas and the United Kingdom. This landmark agreement is poised to revolutionise trade and investment ties, bringing forth a wave of opportunities that will profoundly benefit US customers.

The trade pact, signed on March 13, 2024, signifies a commitment to fostering greater economic cooperation between the United Kingdom and Texas. As a result, customers across the United States stand to gain access to an expanded array of high-quality process instrumentation and services originating from both regions.

This agreement reinforces the longstanding ties between the United Kingdom and the United States, reaffirming their shared commitment to free trade and economic prosperity. By deepening collaboration at the state level, as exemplified by the partnership with Texas, both nations are laying the groundwork for a stronger, more resilient transatlantic alliance.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott said:

As our ninth largest trade partner, the United Kingdom plays a critical role in the Texas economic juggernaut.

Strengthening the bond between Texas and the United Kingdom is crucial for our shared economies to prosper.

By signing this Statement of Mutual Cooperation today, we will further promote economic growth on both sides of the Atlantic. Texas is the economic engine of America, where entrepreneurs from around the globe can cast a vision and know they can achieve it. Working with our British partners, we will
chart a greater path towards success and opportunity and create an even more robust economic partnership.

Delta Mobrey USA President Ken Mauer said:

We are excited about the possibilities this trade pact presents and are committed to leveraging this newfound synergy to drive ever improved customer service, expand our product offerings, and enhance the overall customer experience.

Delta Mobrey UK Managing Director Ray Harrison said:

As we look ahead, Delta Mobrey remains dedicated to delivering exceptional value and service to our customers. The trade pact between the United Kingdom and Texas represents a significant milestone in transatlantic cooperation, with far-reaching benefits for our US customers. We are confident that this agreement will usher in a new era of prosperity and opportunity, and we look forward to playing our part in realising its full potential.

Visit the Delta Mobrey USA site for more information.

Delta Mobrey is a leading UK manufacturer of process instrumentation. Being able to measure and control pressure, flow, level and temperature accurately, in all environments and in all industries, to ensure safety standards are continually maintained, requires precise and robust process instrumentation. Delta Mobrey has been manufacturing such process instrumentation devices across the globe for over 100 years and has garnered an exceptional level of expertise which we manufacture into all our products.

The management of wastewater is a critical component of environmental protection, sustainable resource management, and public health. Delta Mobrey has been working with wastewater for over a century, and has extensive experience in providing and supporting process instrumentation for wastewater.

Wastewater treatment is important for several reasons. By preventing pollutants and contaminants from entering bodies of water, it prevents harm to the environment. It also allows for natural drinking water to be protected, as pollutants are less likely to enter it and spread waterborne diseases, this safeguards public health. More sustainability is achieved, as harmful pathogens are removed, and the water can be used for drinking again.

Wastewater management comes with various challenges. Compliance with regulations, such as the ones detailing overflow, must be met or the company can be given large fines. This has made headlines in the UK on multiple occasions, and in mid-2023 unlimited fines for wastewater companies that dumped sewage were introduced in the UK, highlighting the need to comply or face substantial fines.

Ensuring efficiency is also important. Ensuring there is effective treatment helps to ensure that costs are kept down. The aging infrastructure in some plants may be affecting efficiency, and updated and new process instrumentation may help with this. Upgrading and modernising infrastructure is important to ensure continued efficiency.

Process instrumentation plays a large and important role in the wastewater industry. Flow meters are used to measure wastewater as it moves through channels and pipes. This is used to determine the amount of wastewater to be treated and allows for the efficiency of the process to be monitored, as well as loading rates to be calculated. Level instrumentation is used to monitor and control the levels of wastewater in tanks, chambers, and basins. This allows for the correct amount of wastewater to be processed, as well as preventing overflows and optimising the treatment efficiency. Temperature sensors are used to ensure the efficiency of chemical reactions, as well as managing the growth of microorganisms in various stages of the treatment process. Suspended solid monitoring is also used to measure how many suspended solids are within a slurry.

WORKING WITH WASTEWATER

Delta Mobrey has worked with multiple wastewater companies to help modernise and upgrade their plants as demand for clean water rises with population growth.

In one such plant, it required modernisation to ensure it could meet the growing demand for clean drinking water in the future. It had old and problematic equipment that needed manual intervention and was affecting the efficiency of the plant. In addition, the de-sludge operation was controlled by a timed interval, which resulted in a loss of clean water on each cycle. The plant also required updated monitoring systems to ensure quality standards were met.

The plant chose Delta Mobrey’s MSM400 suspended solids monitoring as part of the upgrade, to help automate the de-sludge operation. This, as well as updated instrumentation, eliminated both the need for manual intervention and the waste of clean water that was occurring. The MSM400 can detect down to half a per cent of undissolved solids, ensuring that the correct water quality is delivered at each stage of the treatment stage.

For more information about our products in action, you can read more about the above case study here.

Process instrumentation is crucial in wastewater. It helps to ensure that drinking water is correctly cleaned and regulations are met. It also allows for greater optimisation of the wastewater plant, reducing waste. If you are interested in process instrumentation for water and wastewater, or for more information about our products, contact us below.

The energy transition is a global necessity to meet carbon standards set by international governments. During this transition, it is essential to understand the use of all appropriate energy styles to ensure the security of our environments, mixed with our essential energy needs.

Some of the more traditional energy providers are still essential as we continue to navigate our way to being carbon neutral. The oil and gas industry gained record profits in 2022, with 4.39 billion metric tons being consumed. Whilst the need for Carbon Net Zero is creating uncertainty regarding the future of oil and gas, the demand for both is still increasing. Companies within this sector will continue to supply traditional energy in the immediate future, but are all looking to transition to clean energy in the next decade. Investment into clean energy by oil and gas companies has risen by an average of 12% a year since 2020 and is expected to account for 5% of oil and gas capital expenditure, which is 2% up from 2020.

However, various factors influence the pace at which oil and gas companies invest in clean energy. Extra bureaucracy, permits and finances for new energy investments remain a genuine hurdle. The relative price of other fuels can also influence how attractive green energy investment can appear, with demand increasing for the more affordable option by consumers. Biofuel production, as an example, relies on the production of grains and other food products. Increased demand for food could mean that there is less to be used for biofuels. As the global population grows, people and our basic needs seem to make the shift to sustainable energy problematic.

Natural gas energy production is now considered an environmentally sustainable economic activity. The EU has clarified that eligible plants with carbon emissions of up to 270g of CO2 per kWh will be considered sustainable. More significantly, firms operating such plants must provide a plan that shows a complete shift from natural gas to renewables or low-carbon fuels by the end of 2035. This is beneficial for companies using natural gas. Not only does it secure a healthy amount of investment in the short term (as long as they comply with the carbon emission limit), it allows gas companies to have a rational plan for the future.

Having a variety of energy sources is the most cost-effective and rational plan. However, there is evidence that surges in weather patterns, such as storms or droughts, will impact the effectiveness of different energy types, such as hydropower. Where there are such fluctuations in renewable energy, traditional sources may need to help compensate, at least in the foreseeable term. This is also an opportunity where even newer styles of energy sources could be considered and developed; areas such as improvements in battery technology and advancements in nuclear fusion. These industries are still in their infancy, but continued development of probable energy sources is essential for the success of energy transition.

Whilst development occurs, oil and gas are still crucial to supply energy during the gaps that are inevitable with current renewable energy. This reassures oil and gas companies in the short term and gives enormous opportunities to invest in research and development that will help them secure their future.

DELTA MOBREY – WORKING WITH ALL ENERGY TYPES

Irrespective of the energy type, the need for robust, accurate and reliable process instrumentation is essential for the secure running of all energy production. The energy industry has been a stalwart of the Delta Mobrey customer base for over 100 years. We have meticulously engineered and manufactured a range of devices to meet the needs of the energy transition.

Delta Mobrey is working with all energy providers to help maintain the energy demand whilst supporting renewable energy production.

Water, its usage, distribution, management, and quality have all been newsworthy items in recent months. Within the UK, the level of investment from water companies is set to break all previous records, a £96 billion* investment from 2025 to 2030, which is an increase of over 90% on the current levels. It has been recognised that to provide the standard of water needed for a growing population; the UK needs to ensure the integrity and security of the water supply.

Delta Mobrey is a supplier that offers solutions for managing and controlling various applications in the water industry. One important application is ensuring the elimination of pathogens and dangerous bacteria from the water supply. Delta Mobrey’s solutions can be easily integrated into existing infrastructure and communication systems, working alongside the cleansing process, and minimising the need for additional staff.

In a case study, Delta Mobrey assisted a water company in the south of England with measuring and reporting in their final settlement tanks. The company needed to prevent the sludge blanket layer from overflowing into the waterways. Delta Mobrey recommended using a gap sensor and a control unit fitted onto a rotating bridge in each tank. This solution helped identify and address the issue early, preventing untreated water from entering the clean water system. It saved time, ensured legal and social responsibility, and maintained a safe water supply.

Delta Mobrey’s solution involved using the Undissolved Solids Sensor (433SD) and the Control Unit (MSM400 series). These components create a simple and cost-effective electronics system with LED indicators and alarm outputs.

If you are interested in learning more about how Delta Mobrey’s products and services can meet your organisation’s specific requirements, you can contact us for further information and to discuss developing an application tailored to your commercial needs below.

*Data supplied by Ofwat

Industry names that are synonymous with brands have the power to evoke emotions. The change of name from Twitter to X is a prime example, with various articles dedicated to personal views on the pros and cons of such a change.

In our hundred-year history, we have had various incarnations. In 2019, we changed our name from Delta Controls to Delta Mobrey, giving a more descriptive explanation of the process instrumentation product suite we offer. Whilst this alteration may not be emotionally provocative, we know it is more helpful for customers looking at process instrumentation. The name Delta has always been associated with robust quality switches and transmitters, whilst Mobrey is aligned with excellence in measuring level and flow. The combination of both powerful brands reinforces we provide customers with an array of options to meet their instrumentation needs. Having the right name is imperative, as it is a tool that identifies what we do, what we stand for, and our corporate values.

In January 2023, Delta Mobrey merged three of our manufacturing sites into one manufacturing hub in Camberley, Surrey. This enhanced our communication and streamlined multiple processes, making us not just more efficient as a company, but more dynamic in all that we do. In the spirit of collaboration and communication, we would just like to reinforce how to get in contact with us should you need any information or discuss your instrumentation needs.