Engineering Projects
Selected process engineering projects focused on hydraulic system design, operational reliability, and practical solutions within existing equipment and capital constraints.
Utility Water Cooling Circuit Reliability Improvement
Improved the reliability of two critical industrial utility water circuits by establishing standby pumping capability through equipment upgrades and system reconfiguration. Applied hydraulic modeling and material and energy balances to minimize capital investment while reducing production interruption risks.
Gypsum Slurry Piping Design & Implementation
Designed and calibrated a hydraulic model for a gypsum slurry pipeline expansion using Excel and AFT Fathom. The design accommodates new discharge locations at significantly different elevations using existing fixed-speed pumps, avoids approximately $1 million in capital expenditure, and achieves actual flow rates within 10% of design predictions.
Acid Transfer System Hydraulic Evaluation and Optimization
Performed an independent hydraulic evaluation of a clarifier underflow slurry transfer system to identify the cause of insufficient pumping capacity. Calibrated system curves against operating data, quantified effective piping restrictions, and evaluated existing and proposed pumps. The study recommended addressing piping buildup rather than replacing pumps without resolving the underlying hydraulic constraints.
Reactor Flash Cooler Vacuum Control
Evaluated and optimized barometric condenser cooling water valve sizing using hydraulic modeling, material and energy balances, and vendor performance data. Replacing an oversized 16-inch butterfly valve with a 12-inch butterfly valve improved flash cooler vacuum control without an unnecessary restriction orifice.