Tank to Tank Ethanol Transfer

SPEC provided support for the modification of terminal piping to allow for an existing regular gasoline tank to be used as an ethanol swing tank during a tank inspection at a refined products distribution terminal.  SPEC designed new pipe spools and isolation valves to allow for unloading from, and loading to, the load rack at the new swing tank, field measurements of existing piping for drafting, stress analysis for new pipe spools, and creation of project record drawings.  SPEC’s design allowed for the use of an existing tank for ethanol storage in time for the terminal to meet the deadline for the existing ethanol tank inspection.

Services Provided: Project Management and Design, Process Engineering, Civil/Structural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Design and Drafting, Procurement Support

Client: Major Oil Company

Project Location: Southwestern, USA

Davit Program

SPEC provided Engineering Design Services as well as fabrication, installation and construction oversight of vessel entry and retrieval platform davit hoist systems for ten existing vessels within a pharmaceutical process area. SPEC’s civil and structural engineers designed and prepared construction drawings for the prefabricated davit arm connection and anchorage to the supporting platform steel considering OSHA’s regulations for fall protection and fall arrest load ratings. SPEC secured and awarded the fabrication and installation of the davit anchorage and structural platform modifications to a local contractor, and SPEC provided oversight for the field construction services associated with the installation. SPEC personnel completed site specific safety orientation to gain badge access to restricted clean rooms to complete the work scope. Final walk-downs with the client of the installed platform davit systems were conducted to obtain acceptance of the finished product prior to releasing the construction contractor from service.  SPEC maintained and provided record drawings for the work.

Services Provided: Project Management and Design, Civil/Structural Engineering, Design and Drafting, Safety, Construction Management

Client: Pharmaceutical Company

Project Location: Northeast, USA

Oil & Gas Facility Compliance & Risk Assessment

The project involved performing facility and equipment risk assessments on crude oil pipelines, pipeline pump stations, and terminal and tank facilities using the API Risk Management Methods in API Publication 353 Managing System Integrity of Terminal and Tank Facilities.  SPEC performed the risk assessments and trained the Client engineers in the risk assessment and risk mitigation techniques at crude oil gathering facilities associated with the Client’s pipeline facilities. The goal of the risk assessments was to identify high risk facilities and components and develop a screening/ranking of high-risk facilities and equipment.  The method was then used to compare risk reduction of various risk mitigation measures as outlined in API Publication 340 Liquid Release Prevention Measures for Aboveground Storage Tank Facilities

Services Provided: Engineering, Risk Assessment

Client: Major Oil Company

Project Location: China

New Rail Car Unloading

SPEC provided multidisciplined engineering services (process, mechanical, civil, electrical) for unloading of ethanol and asphalt at a storage tank facility. The client required a backup unloading facility to supplement the existing marine unloading facility. SPEC designed the mechanical and civil portion of the rail unloading area. SPEC designed a new NG fired hot oil heater and hot oil heat tracing of the new asphalt piping. The rail car also required steam for offloading of asphalt. SPEC specified a new pre-engineered metal building to house a new steam supply system. SPEC designed a new steam generator utilizing the hot oil system, de-aerator, water treatment, blow down, etc. for the new steam system. Ethanol rail car unloading allowed the facility to receive ethanol via rail coming in on 100 car unit trains. SPEC worked with a third-party engineer on the rail track design and switching.

Services Provided: Process, Civil, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering

Client: Construction Materials Company

Project Location: Northeast, USA

Structural Assessment of Operational Equipment

SPEC’s Client required inspection of and condition survey of existing overhead conveyors at their quarry location.  SPEC provided structural engineering assessment, design, and support services to complete the structural condition surveys of the existing conveyors.  The project required SPEC to assess the condition of the conveyor structural supports, including foundations, to determine the adequacy of continued use and to determine required maintenance. SPEC designed repairs, replacement members or replacement of complete structural elements based on the condition assessments to allow the conveyor to continue to operate. SPEC provided reports and detailed drawings for the client to review and complete the project.

Services Provided: Project Management and Design, Civil/Structural Engineering, Design and Drafting, Safety.

Client: Mining and Construction Materials Corporation

Project Location: Northeast, USA

Marketing Terminal Upgrade

SPEC provided the engineering, procurement support, and construction management for the upgrade of a Petroleum Marketing Terminal.  The upgrades included demolition of (2) existing tanks, installation of a new 45,000 BBL storage tank, (4) new ANSI rack supply pumps, (2) new (3) arm loading skids with meters, control valves, additive injectors, and instrumentation for ULSD and ethanol blended Regular, Midgrade and Premium Gasolines.  New outdoor MCC and load rack control equipment were also installed.  

Services Provided: Project Management and Design, Process Engineering, Civil/Structural Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Instrumentation and Controls, Mechanical Engineering, Design and Drafting, Safety, Fire Protection, Procurement Support, Construction Management

Client: Major Oil Company

Project Location: Midwest, USA

Quarry Regulatory and Operation Concern Resolution

SPEC provided engineering, design, and support services for a client to resolve regulatory and ongoing operational concerns.  The project required rectifying stormwater, visual and waste/overburden storage concerns.  SPEC satisfied the regulatory requirements by using the overburden to rectify the visual concerns and addressed the stormwater issues at the site.  SPEC designed the site grading layout and stormwater systems to meet local and state requirements on a geometrically and topographically constrained site.  SPEC served as the primary point of contact for the local municipality, state, and federal regulators.

Services Provided: Project Management and Design, Civil/Structural Engineering, Design and Drafting, Permitting.

Client: Minerals, Mining, and Construction Materials Corporation

Project Location: Northeast, USA

Ethanol Blending Project

A Client’s Terminal was upgraded to facilitate side-stream blending 10% denatured ethanol into three grades of conventional gasoline (premium, mid, and regular) with the capability to convert to reformulated gasoline. The upgrade involved converting the existing marine offloading facility and two gas tanks to ethanol service as well as the installation of a new custody transfer truck offloading system to provide an alternative ethanol supply method. The terminal was upgraded with the facilities and capacity to load denatured ethanol trucks.

Services Provided: Process, Mechanical, Civil, and Electrical Engineering Design; Environmental Permitting; Construction Observation; Equipment and Procurement Services

Client: Major Oil Company

Project Location: Northeast, USA

Greenfield Site Evaluation for Distribution Terminal

SPEC provided project development, engineering, and drafting support for a greenfield site evaluation for the development of a new distribution terminal.  SPEC’s role included assisting in the definition of the overall project scope and cost, site layout of existing Client-owned greenfield site, design of tanks, load rack, retention pond, pipeline manifold, containment, additive systems, entrance and exit road installation, and vapor recovery unit.   The project required that SPEC’s design and layout fit within the surrounding environmental protected areas and nearby city property setbacks.

Services Provided: Project Management and Design, Process Engineering, Civil/Structural Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Design and Drafting

Client: Major Oil Company

Project Location: Canada

Tote Stability Analysis

SPEC provided engineering services for a stability study of a new 500-liter polypropylene tote used to store and transport materials within a clean room area for a Pharmaceutical company. The work relied heavily on SPEC’s previous experience with the Client and knowledge of the facility operations. SPEC conducted an analysis of the tote using the known geometry (dimensions, empty weight, caster locations, etc.) and conservative assumptions for any unknowns (such as the center of gravity locations) as it relates to the overturning stability during operation and storage. Both the empty and full cart scenarios were considered. The maximum safe force that can be applied to the tote without tipping it over was calculated, representing the condition of the tote being bumped into accidently during storage with the caster’s locked. The movement of the tote around a curve (caster’s unlocked) was considered the governing transport condition and the maximum safe velocity was determined. SPEC also considered a collision scenario where the leading caster’s hit an obstacle. The maximum safe velocity was calculated for this condition to prevent tipping of the cart. SPEC provided a report that defined the parameters of the analysis and the conditions required to maintain the stability of the tote. The report was reviewed with the client and SPEC provided recommendations for safe and stable operations.

Services Provided: Civil/Structural Engineering, Safety

Client: Pharmaceutical Company

Project Location: Northeast, USA