Author Archives: Elissa Smith

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

Tags: Environmental, Mining, Permitting, Quarry, Stormwater

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

Tags: Safety, Structural Analysis

Pipeline Meter Site Drawing Creation

SPEC provided drafting support for the creation of new P&IDs and updating existing mechanical drawings for a Client’s multiple feed pipeline meter site within their Refinery limits. The Client’s existing drawings were outdated with incorrect information causing confusion within the Client’s operational group and engineers on product flow path and the existing systems at site. SPEC used a field visit for drawing redlines, equipment information, and field dimensions to create new P&IDs and updated mechanical drawings for operational usage and clarity.

Services Provided: Drafting

Client: Major Oil Company

Project Location: Southwestern, USA

Tags: Meter Skid

Pipeline Trap Stress Analysis

SPEC provided engineering support for the pipe stress analysis of a Client planned modification to an existing pipeline trap. The project scope included evaluated the Client designed trap modification for adequate supports to prevent over-stress during hydrotest, over-pressure, hurricane, and low and high temperature conditions. SPEC’s analysis allowed for the stress analysis verification of the planned trap upgrade.

Services Provided: Civil/Structural Engineering, Design and Drafting

Client: Major Oil Company

Project Location: Southwest, USA

Tags: Crude, Foundations

Gasoline Additive System

SPEC provided project development, engineering, permitting, drafting, procurement, and construction support for the addition of a new customer gasoline additive injection system at 17 distribution terminals across the United States. SPEC’s role included assisting in the definition of the overall project scope, permitting, modification of existing additive systems, installation of new additive systems (i.e. injectors, pumps, injection points, piping, tubing, etc.), and design and installation of new additive tanks. SPEC’s design and project scope allowed for the distribution terminals to handle roll out of new gasoline additive across the United States.

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

Client: Major Oil Company

Project Location: Continental USA

Tags: Additive, Foundations, Gasoline, Hydraulic Calculations, Instrumentation & Control, Load Rack, Permitting, Pipe Supports, Pump, Relief Devices, Storage Tank, Terminal

Tank to Tank Interface Transfer

SPEC provided support for the modification of terminal piping to allow for an existing regular gasoline tank to be used as a pipeline interface swing tank during the interface tank inspection at a distribution terminal. SPEC designed a new pipe spool piece and isolation valves to allow for tank loading to the load rack at the new swing tank. SPEC performed 3D laser scanning of existing piping and equipment, stress analysis for new pipe spools, and created project record drawings. SPEC’s design enabled the use of the existing tank for interface storage, allowing the terminal to meet the deadline for the existing interface tank inspection.

Services Provided: Project Management and Design, Process Engineering, Civil/Structural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Design and Drafting, Scanning and 3D Modeling, Procurement Support

Client: Major Oil Company

Project Location: Southwestern, USA

Tags: Gasoline, Hydraulic Calculations, Laser Scanning, Load Rack, Relief Devices, Terminal

Resin Production Relocation

SPEC’s client desired the relocation of a specialty resin production process to another production building within the same facility. SPEC lead the relocation of the process and updated the design to include a new recycled phenol collection system, a new phenol storage tank, new pumps, new raw materials connections, steam and electrical heat tracing, insulation, and a recycled resin solids pneumatic conveying system to four existing reactors. SPEC oversaw significant aspects of the construction including the demolition of out-of-service glass-lined reactors and a crumbling second floor, as well as the installation of a new concrete second floor in the final location.

Client: Major Chemicals Company

Project Location: Northeast, USA

SPEC & Habitat for Humanity!

SPEC staff received a day off to put our engineering skills to work participating in Habitat for Humanity building a home for a local family here in Albany, NY.

3rd Annual Adopt-A-Family!

We are thankful to have had another opportunity to partner with the teachers and staff of the South Colonie School District to provide toys and gifts for local homeless children. Thank you to our employees for the outpouring of support and providing Christmas cheer to so many children in need!