Structural, Civil and Mechanical Engineer Expert, Fitness for Service Expert

Technical Consultant #2102

Over 30 years' experience in mechanical engineering design and analysis for the power, petrochemical and refining industries.
Analytical experience includes finite element analysis, fluid transient analysis, structural analysis, fatigue assessments, and flexibility analysis of piping systems.
Design review of pressure vessels and piping, and advanced fracture mechanics and fitness-for-purpose evaluations of components.
Design and analysis of concrete and steel framing for structures and pipe supports.
Dynamic fluid transient analyses, data acquisition and analysis, vibration measurements.
Performance of design and analysis in accordance with B31 piping codes, Section VIII pressure vessel codes, and structural codes.
3D CAD model-based design piping and structures in elevated temperatures.

Undisclosed Company, Technical Specialist, 1990 - Present

Foster Wheeler SPEC, Inc., Structural Engineer and Stress Analyst, 1981 - 1985

Taiwan Power Company, Taiwan, Civil Engineer, 1977 - 1979

Army Engineers, Taiwan, Engineering Officer, 1975 - 1977

Finite element analysis

General finite element modeling, analysis, evaluation, and preparation of reports on equipment components under static, heat transfer, thermal stress, modal, and dynamic loadings.

Projects

Thermal and stress analysis of steam generator and other components under steady and thermal transient loadings.
Large, eccentric FCC Regenerator Vessel spent catalyst nozzle, (redesign of reinforcement).
Butane, MTBE, and Methanol Storage Spheres, (brittle fracture risk evaluations).
Double wall metallic underground piping systems and redesign to accommodate differential thermal expansion.
Conducted vibration measurements and analysis of a refinery's hydrogen reformer feed inlet piping using data acquisition equipment and accelerometers.
Designed steel framing and determined seismic and dynamic structure/equipment interactions for process plants.

Pressure Vessels and Piping

Conducted pressure pulsation, vibrations data acquisition, and fluid transient simulation of high pressure piping of a 4,500 ton hydraulic press.
Performed fluid transient analysis of key piping systems subject to dynamic loads during start-up, shut-down, valve closure in The Croton Water Treatment Plant, New York.
Performed level 2 and 3 fitness for service evaluations of fixed equipment in accordance with API 579/ASME FFS-1.
Reviewed designs of critical equipment for compliance with ASME B31 Piping Codes and Section VIII, Pressure Vessel Codes.
Performed piping flexibility analysis, designed piping and pipe supports in connection with load sensitive equipment (pumps and turbines) using Caesar II.
Evaluated FCC plenum chamber for increased temperature conditions.
Evaluated fired heater tube supports for projects, and redesigned supports for existing units to improve long-term elevated temperature performance.
Evaluated component fatigue life and creep damage.
Evaluated and redesigned high temperature piping.
Fitness-for-purpose/fracture risk/remaining life assessment of cracked, corroded vessels and piping.

Troubleshooting, Redesign, and Failure Analysis

Reactor head with excessive vibration due to mixer.
Compressor piping systems, (vibration and overload problems).
Heat exchangers with tube vibration.
Power plant and other piping system waterhammer and support problems.
Boiler superheater.
Vertical and helical tube coil structures in various chemical reactor vessels.
Designed piping and pipe support for high temperature lines operating in the creep regime (1800oF) for the Marble Hill Annealing Demonstration Project.
Demonstrating the feasibility of annealing a nuclear reactor subjected to neutron irradiation.
Designed and analyzed metallic and non-metallic, (thermoplastic and reinforced thermosetting resin) components including double containment piping systems.
Review of design and inspected construction of vessels and piping for major capital projects.

Structures

Field design and direction of construction for a major reconstruction of structures adjacent to a CO boiler convection section during a refinery turnaround.
Providing temporary support and correction of differential thermal expansion problems.
Redesign of structural systems including major Derrick flare structure and ore conveyor support.

Performed structural analysis and model-based design

Structural steel and reinforced concrete.
Numerous miscellaneous structures such as platforms, catwalks, etc.
Developed load and resistance curves for design of blast-resistant structures.
Designed steel and reinforced concrete structures and reviewed steel manufacturers' shop drawings.
Designed access road, pavement, and reinforced concrete retaining walls for underground structures.

Credentials

Publications and Patents

Presented at ASME Pressure Vessels and Piping Conference.
Co-Authored papers covering design and analysis of pressure vessels and piping components.