Competence And Commitment Report

Please read first the accompanying notes for advice on how to successfully complete your Report.
Complete this Report electronically. Each part of each subsection can be expanded to allow you to provide sufficient evidence of your chemical engineering competence. Your Report should be 1500-2000 words.

Surname: PAPADOPOULOU Personal name: SOFIA Title: MISS

A Evidence that you have the ability to apply to practical situations:

either chemical and general engineering knowledge
and understanding (for CEng route),
or scientific knowledge and understanding (for CSci route).

Evidence:

i) Identifying or defining a problem, opportunity or project:

When working for the Bacton terminal I undertook and coordinated a study on hydrate depression in the Feed Gas/Gas Exchangers of the plant. It was found that hydrate formed in some of the exchangers despite the Glycol injection system already in place, so I established the differences of the original design and the existing operation of the plant. I surveyed the site, talked todiscussed with the operators and performed pressure drop and mass balance calculations.

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I also checked assessed lab data for the MEG that was injected and consulted manufactures of nozzles, filters, and exchangers. Furthermore, I examined and interpreted recorded data in the control room regarding flowrates, pressures and pressure set points. Finally, I made recommendations (see A iv) which were approved by the operations management. The project is now in its Detailed Design Phase.

When working for the OneGas Contract I was the responsible process engineer for the Flowline projects. My main task was to define the flowline operating envelope.

This included the specification of the flowrates that the flowline could produce, bearing inwith special regards to mind constraints like export pressures, prediction of well performance curves, hydrate formation, freezing, design temperatures, corrosion and erosion problems. I also defined the Corrosion Inhibitor injection requirements with the flowline flowing. For these procedures I combined input from various engineering disciplines, modelled the flowline in HYSYS and performed calculations including line sizing, choke sizing, and flowmeter sizing. My responsibilitesresponsibilities also included producing the Basis for Design, P&IDs and processing of datasheets for the choke valve and the flowmeter.

ii) Combining ideas and contributions from different people and disciplines:

When leading the flowline projects I collected and analysed information from various a wide range of engineering disciplines and provided them engineers with guidance and input advice based on my calculations. Piping and mechanical engineers provided information for the layout and pipeline routing while I specified to themwas in charge of the specifications for the line and equipment sizes and their design conditions.

Instrument engineers provided information for the choke valve, flowmeter and restriction orifice used, and I provided them withpresented process datasheets and preliminary sizes for these. Metering engineers advised on the type of flowmeter used. The reservoir and production technicians provided the predicted well performance, and the asset engineers advised on the present and future production schedule of the platform. My responsibilities included specifying determining the flowrates that the flowline would produce and identfying production manifold limitations for the export flowrates.

I also liaised with the contractor that performed the sensitive leak testing of a flowline and checked supervised their procedure. In addition to this, I consulted the production chemist for the type of Corrosion Inhibitor to be used and checked verified if this was environmentally acceptable and safe. Furthermore, I consulted the operations for the start-up procedure and possible tie-in points.

iii) Creativity and innovation: developing your own ideas to produce new solutions, new designs and new technological approaches:

In my MSc course dissertation I have developed in General Algebraic Modelling System an optimisation platform, which is a mixed integer linear programming formulation for the systematic synthesis of gas separation networks. I addressed the synthesis problem of separating several gas feed streams with common components to several multicomponent products. My dissertation won the Process Integration Consortium Research Prize.

In Milford Haven Refinery I was responsible for improving the performance of a cooling water exchanger that was easily malfunctioning easily. The cooling water system did not have any flow control or flow elements. First I simulated the whole cooling water system hydraulically by estimating the heating requirements of the process side and doing performing a pressure survey across the exchangers. Then I evaluated the performance of the cooling water pumps and the performance of the exchanger by checking comparing their datasheets against to my simulation. The exchanger was located in a great distance from the pumps and had no available pressure drop to enable sufficient water to flow through it.

I proposed two options to increase its available pressure drop that would enable increased flow through the exchanger and thus increased velocity. With increased velocity less malfunctioning occurs. The options were either to run a separate inlet and outlet line of the exchanger directly from the discharge to the suction of the cooling water pumps or to install a booster pump upstream of the exchanger with a flow control valve and a relief valve on the booster pump discharge. Through the hydraulic simulation I also checked confirmed the effect that my proposal would have in the rest of the exchangers of the system. The second option was approved by operations and the project is in its detailed design phase.

While working on the Humbly Grove project I was responsible for the preliminary design of the Wellhead Separator and the compressor suction KO drum. I developed a spreadsheet for sizing a Vapour-Liquid separator using the company standard methods. With this programme I carried outexecuted their preliminary sizing. Whilst working for the Sean Compression Project I undertook was assigned the detailed design of two Suction Scrubbers and I developed a spreadsheet for their sizing according to a Shell Design and Engineering Practice. The scrubbers’ type included a Schoepentoeter, a Mistmat, a Swirldeck and a Mistmat.

For the HiFi Unit of the Novi Sad Refinery I developed a spreadsheet for pump calculations, which was used it to produce a datasheet for the diesel feed pumps. I also calculated the suction and discharge pressures, NPSHA and the required fluid and shaft power.

In my undergraduate studies I developed software in FORTRAN using MS Excel as a user interface to simulate an existing Catalytic Hydrodesulphurisation Unit for Vacuum Gas Oil of the Hellenic Refinery. I used utilised differential energy and material balance for the reactors and solved them using the numerical algorithm by Runge-Kutta.

iv) Scientific or technical evaluation and optimisation (of product, process, equipment, method, project etc against the requirements you identified, or the brief you were given.):

At Bacton I undertook initiated a project to explore the possibility of heating two exchangers from the Jacket Water system that the plant compressors engines were heating by cooling their jackets. I performed Heat heat & Mass mass Balance balance calculations, checked consulted the P&IDs and Vendor manuals and carried outexecuted a HYSYS computer simulation with data from the Mechanical Datasheets. I used the existing exchangers’ overall heat transfer coefficient to recalculate the new outlet temperatures. Based on my calculations I recommended raising the temperature set point of the Jacket Water system to achieve the task. The operation management approved my recommendation and the unit is operating as I predicted.

In the hydrate depression study at Bacton (see A i), after defining the causes of the problem, I made a number of recommendations for improving the system, such as installing Injection Rate Control Devices units to control the injection flowrates, changing the filter sizes and locations; testing analysing the nozzle performance with retrievable nozzles, changing varying the pressure control valve set points, increasing the concentration of MEG and decreasing the salt content of MEG.

When I was responsible for the flowline projects, I checked advised a commissioning procedure for sensitive leak testing of a flowline where the system was pressurised with Nitrogen/Helium and leaks through joints had been detected. I identified that during the venting of N2 from a system, part the Joule-Thompson effect was creating temperatures lower than the design so I proposed another route of venting. The contractor performed the testing through the alternative route I proposed.

v) Planning and execution of projects: organising or performing technical
work to implement or validate solutions, designs etc:

I worked as a part of a team for the Detailed Design Phase of the Sean Compression project, which involved the installation of Compression facilities on the Sean PD platform. I was responsible in charge offor the design of the two Suction Scrubbers (type Schoepentoeter, Mistmat, Swirldeck and Mistmat). I sized them according to Shell DEP procedures and produced a specialised process equipment datasheet. I also undertook initialised the design of the Compressor Wash Water tank and pump, sized them, produced their process equipment datasheet and a P&ID. In the same project I was also appointed to perform various other design tasks. I reviewed and updated not only the hHeat & mMass bBalance using vendor data, but also the design philosophies, PFDs and some P&IDs. I sized the associated piping and produced the linelist (including the classification of the Pressure Equipment Directive) as well as the alarm and trip schedule.

When I was working on the EPC phase of the Humbly Grove Gas Storage Plant as part of a team, I was responsible for various design tasks. I produced the P&IDs for the wellhead separator and the H2S absorber. In addition to this, I carried outperformed pressure drop calculations to specify the operating envelope of the compressors and produced datasheets for the two VSD centrifugal compressors, the compressor after coolers, the H2S fines filters, the H2S absorber, the Wellhead Separator, the Compressor KO drums, the Methanol Injection Package and the Flow meters. I also performed conducted calculations including separator sizing, relief valve and flare sizing, hydrate formation temperature and hydrate depression with methanol, calculations on the required compressor differential head as a function of the reservoir capacity and inventory and the calculations on the compressor settle-out pressure.

While working for the OneGas Contract I was the responsible accountable engineer for the Flowline projects. I produced the Basis for Design and prepared P&IDs and linelists for the flowlines. I also carried outperformed calculations including line sizing, erosion rates, hydrate formation and depression, choke valve and restriction orifice sizing, depressuring and minimum design temperature calculations. I also produced generated process datasheets for the choke valves, flowmeters and restriction orifices.

vi) Other:

(expand as necessary)

B Evidence that you are able to handle the wider implications
of your work as an engineer

i) Ability to handle health, hazard and safety aspects: to apply appropriate
principles, good practice, meet legislative requirements etc.

I worked as an Assistant Safety Engineer in Shanghai Ethylene Catalytic Complex plant where I developed a PHASER/HAZOP actions database for the whole complex using the PHA Pro software. There I became familiar with the safety aspects of HAZOP, HAZID, PHASER and the Safety Action Tracking system.

I prepared the Process Hazard Statement for Humbly Grove Gas Storage Plant where I identified potential hazards and established design philosophies to deal with these hazards. In the same project I used utilised API 520 and API 521 for the relief valve sizing and rating produced generated the relief valve datasheets and sized the inlet piping of the relief devices. In addition, I established the relief scenarios for the plant using API 521. Furthermore, I used applied the FLARENET hydraulic simulation software to model the common relief mode failures and the blow down to size the tail pipes of the relief valves and the flare header. Finally, I incorporated the findings of the study in a Flare Report.

I was entrusted the responsibility of being a secretary during the Novi Sad Refinery HAZOP. I decided together with the safety engineer the number of nodes that would be examined and I produced a HAZOP report and action sheets at the end of the HAZOP.

In Milford Haven Refinery I was the responsible accountable process engineer for many HAZOP studies and Design Safety Reviews. I was also responsible to for the complete completion of the Design Safety Checklists together with the project engineers.

For various projects I have closed out HAZOP actions.

I have attended participated in two site inductions, one for the Bacton terminal and one for the Milford Haven Refinery.

ii) Ability to handle sustainability aspects: these could include environmental, public
concern and other societal issues, recognition of risks etc.

When I was working for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games I was the Environmental Operations Venue Manager. I was responsible for the application of the recycling programme of the Olympic Velodrome, where my main goals were to minimise packaging and waste coming from Olympic activities and to maximise the use of recycling practices.

My MSc dissertation was based on the concept of an Eco-Industrial Park that is a foundation for sustainable communities. The flue gases that were produced from different processes (industries) like the fluid catalytic cracking regeneration, the gasification of hydrocarbons or coal, the plastic waste pyrolysis and the carbon black production were separated in an integrated separation system to produce syngas that became was transformed into the raw materials for ammonia, methanol, synthetic fuels, etc.

My dissertation in my undergraduate study was on the hydro treatment and sulphur removal from heavy oil distillates. The desulphurisation process reduced sulphur in the gas oils produced so that air pollution would be ultimately reduced.

iii) Ability to handle commercial and economic aspects:

When I was responsible for the Stream Glycol Injection Study I prepared a Level 2 cost estimate to compare various design alternatives. For this I had to communicate with other disciplines to obtain advice on the man-hours and equipment cost needed to carry out the design that I was proposing. Additionally, I contacted consulted the IRCD Vendor and flow meter Vendor to source the equipment cost. I also collected layout sketches, took documented site photos and marked uphighlighted relevant P&IDs. I handed all presented this information to the Cost Estimator who produced the estimate.

When I was leading the flowline projects I had to specify the deliverables (reports, datasheets, calculations, etc) and the time that they would take to complete in an Engineering Database. This had to bewas done for the various phases of Design, i.e. conceptual, detailed and follow on. The project progress and my performance were monitored from the Database so I always had to worked to strict deadlines, bearing in mind both the project man-hours available and the schedule the project is working to.

When I was the Environmental Operations Venue Manager in the Olympic Games, I scheduled organised the man-hours needed throughout the day so that there was the correct number of personnel to complete the tasks was always available. I also specified the times the various cleaning equipment would be in the venue and the number of consumables (bin liners, bins, cleaning fluids, deodorants, toilet paper, etc) that were neededrequired.

iv) Other:

(expand as necessary)

C Evidence of interpersonal, leadership and communication skills

i) Managing interpersonal relationships:

When I was designing the Sean Infill Flowline I provided details of the necessary corrosion inhibitor (C.I.) facilities. This meant that a decision should be made as to the type of C.I. and whether existing facilities would be used. The C. I. management of the whole platform was reviewed and people from a wide range of engineering disciplines were involved so a decision could not easily be made. I organised and chaired a meeting where I invited all the people involved, i.e. the production chemist, corrosion engineer, platform operation manager, safety engineer and environmental engineer. The meeting was successful as aand a decision was made that we would install a temporary C.I. skid within the flowline scope until the total C.I. management of the platform was established.

While working in Athens 2004 I was supervising two different subcontractors. People were working in small teams at various locations of the venue and reported to two different foremen (one for each subcontractor). Initially the manpower was distributed without considering the difference in subcontractors and people were not used to working together. I changed this by talking to the foremen and distributing people that were familiar with each. This decision resolved the problem.

ii) Demonstrating leadership in a professional role:

When I was the Environmental Operations Venue Manager I had up to 30 people under my supervision, so I had to prepare organise the shifts and the tasks that had to be achieved. I trained the staff to make sure they followed the recommended practices of Athens 2004 and ensured they were familiar with the Venue. I also ordered the correct amount of consumables on time with a given storage capacity in mind and negotiated the amount of man-power available to the venue so that the recycling-cleaning programme was effective.

In my undergraduate studies we had to hand in group assignments and I was assigned the role of team leader. Initially, I organised a meeting where we discussed and defined the assignment, and then I delegated the tasks taking into account people’s preferences, technical skills and their available time. If during the implementation there were problems I discussed the solution with the members or re-delegated their tasks. Our assignments always achieved very good marks.

iii) Communicating ideas and plans by report writing and oral presentation:

Whilst working on different projects I have produced various documents like the Basis for Design, Start up Instructions, Process Design Philosophies, Flare Report and HAZOP Report. I have also produced generated a Study Report on hydrate depression in the Feed Gas/Gas Exchangers of the Bacton Terminal.

When I was working for the “Lakeside Waste to Energy” proposal I produced the minutes of meeting with the Steam Turbine Vendor and the Air Pollution Control Vendor. Similarly, when
Iworking for the flowlines I produced the minutes of meetings for the Corrosion Inhibitor Injection.

During my studies I produced presented the MSc dissertation “Systematic synthesis of gas separation networks” which won the Process Integration Consortium Research Prize. I also produced and presented my MEng dissertation “Simulation of the operation of industrial catalytic trickle-bed reactors for the hydrotreatment of heavy oil distillates”. In my undergraduate studies I have carried outperformed two presentations, one for the Vapour-Liquid separators Sizing and one for the Different Types of Heat Exchangers.

D Evidence to show that you are committed to high standards
of professional conduct

When designing I use utilise the standards and recommended practices of API (RP 520/ 521, Std 526, 2000, 14C, 14E, etc) and ASME Code Section VIII. I use follow Amec procedures and, when required, other Oil Company’s procedures (Shell DEPs) as well. I always askconsult my my colleagues with technical questions and request additional literature, which we are encouraged to do within the Process group. Whenever I come across a new topic I search the internet for additional information, read manuals and discuss it in engineering forums. I am also a member of the subject group Safety and Loss Prevention of the IChemE. In addition, I frequently confer with other disciplines and whenever possible Vendors. I enjoy studying Chemical Engineer books and apply theory to real world problems.

When working in Great Yarmouth I was guiding guided a graduate engineer to complete his tasks by pointing out literature, company’s software and resources and answering his questions. In the Sean Compression project I had a graduate under my supervision. I assigned tasks to her, explained Chemical Engineering principles and checked her calculations. In Milford Haven Refinery and the Sean Compression project I checked verified calculations of Senior Process Engineers.

E Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

(i) Report of CPD already undertaken

I have attended the courses “Self Organisational Skills”, “Effective Working Relationships”, and “Negotiation Skills”, which are part of the Professional Skills Development courses at Amec.

I have also attended two technical courses: “Safety Relief Valve Training” and “HYSYS Process Modelling for Upstream Applications”.

I use the quarterly reviews with my mentor and line manager to identify future training possibilitespossibilities and available projects that will enhance my engineering background.
Benefits received

I have learnt how to use utilise time more efficiently and effectively. I also learnt how to improve team-working skills and build effective working relationships. I recognised what basic negotiation skills are necessary to influence others in a variety of situations.

I learnt about relief valve sizing and selection as well as how to use employ HYSYS in various upstream applications.
(ii) Future CPD Plan

As part of the Professional Skills Development courses I will attend the “Introduction to Quality” and “Introduction to finance and Commercial”, “Customer & Client Relationships”, “Information and Communication”, “Employee Relations”, “Problem Solving”, “Presentation Skills” and “Introduction to Operational Management”.. Expected benefits

I expect to gain non technical managerial skills relevant to these topics.