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  1. BillBirch

    Cryogenic Check Valve Testing

    The question has come up in our project as to whether cryogenic cold testing is required for dual plate wafer check valves. Is the testing of these valves common?
  2. BillBirch

    Put in a Tough Position

    Consider this - perhaps your client has had you in mind for a while, not having a position for a graduate at the time, had been instrumental in you getting a position within view while you gained experience - like remote probation? In the scheme of things, the client is in control, so you...
  3. BillBirch

    Are companies really requesting salary histories?

    I don't respond to salary history requests, but if pressed, reply that it is confidential information within a contract between my previous employer and myself. In responding, I would potentially be breaching that contract, or as a minimum, guilty of passing on confidential commercial data. You...
  4. BillBirch

    How improve and get ahead - Oil & Gas EPC - Mechanical Engineering

    Romulus, What exactly is your interest? Are these questions for your own career path or to help you evaluate prospective candidates? If the latter, I would not get too excited about finding an EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) specialist rotating equipment engineer. EPC is a...
  5. BillBirch

    "Where do you see yourself in X years?"

    As a graduate, I was on the third round of interviews with an Aussie engineering group, this time in front of three divisional general managers. One asked that question, and I responded with a smirk, "I guess the standard answer is - your job". He grinned back as if to say "touche" (for such a...
  6. BillBirch

    Operations & Design for FR Atmospheric Tanks

    If the oil is so heavy, I would presume that there would be little in the way of light fractions, so why use a floating roof tank? A fixed roof would be more attractive. I once worked in an Aussie Lube refinery, using Saudi crude as feedstock, and the bottoms were quite thick. This had to be...
  7. BillBirch

    Number of turns in gear operated valves.

    Companies like Shell generally specify actuators for all ball valves 16" and over simply to overcome the physical effort of "tags teams" having to turn a handwheel for an inordinate ammount of time, even if only one a year or so. In a small independant oil company, we considered the frequency...
  8. BillBirch

    PARALELL PUMPS

    gorkus, Do you really mean vane pumps? These are positive displacement pumps, but your discharge head is quite high for this type of pump. Can you provide details of the pumps?
  9. BillBirch

    Project Efficiency

    Thanks jeebusmn, (for the opportunity for one of my favourite rants). The trouble with EPC contractors is that there are not many of them who really understand EPC contracts and have a clear strategy to implement them. In my field (oil and gas)EPC contracts first came to our attention around...
  10. BillBirch

    The art of Laser surveying

    By the way. You are doing the industry no justice by referring to it as an art. This will create an impression on your potential clients that the occupation requires experienced operator interpretors, whereas your client would want a warm feeling that the data he is given is absolutely...
  11. BillBirch

    The art of Laser surveying

    The assumption that there will be differences between "as-designed" and "as-built" is one of the factors supporting your industry. I know of offshore operators who have their platforms designed in PDMS (3D CAD), and laser survey after installation. This digitised data is then fed back into...
  12. BillBirch

    SW Gasket Failure, why?????

    You should consider the flange facing. As you know, the spiral wound gasket is a series of alternative "chevrons" of metal and filler material. Prior to installation, the "Vees" are wide, and upon compressing become narrower - i.e the angle of the vee decreases. This requires the contact...
  13. BillBirch

    Crazy handshakes

    Swearingen, I've been down that road as well. After you try to make the offender aware of his action by straightening his hand and he is still unaware of it, I have asked, "what's with the domination gesture"? You should here some of the stuttering explanations!
  14. BillBirch

    What kind of engineer am I??

    Bill, I would first try to find what professional afiliations your degree would get you. I can't believe that you have the qualifications to jump between civil engineering and electronics - professional codes of conduct prohibit practicing outside your own field. Regards, Bill
  15. BillBirch

    WELDING

    Good summary from IceStationZebra. I would add that the gas shielded processes are dubious in windy, outdoor locations. Personally I found TIG easier to master than stick welding because it was easier to see the weld in progress and employs a similar technique to oxy-acetylene - which I like.
  16. BillBirch

    Am I looking for a "threaded insert"?

    Could several pieces be machined from a single piece of bar stock and progressively parted off?
  17. BillBirch

    Do I deserve a pay rise? Should I ask for one? If so, how? Thanks

    I'd be very surprised if no provision is made for a raise after your first year -simply for motivation and as acknowledged that you are progressively delivering to the company. The first move should normally be made by your company. If the raise (or lack thereof), is unacceptable, I would...
  18. BillBirch

    Valve Manufacturer Advice

    Well Joe, This is a reassuring request to my mechanical colleagues from one of our arch-enemies, the process hotshots! Perhaps you now understand what we do? Jokes aside, the difference would be largely due to whether compliance is needed with the major equipment standards such as API, ASME or...
  19. BillBirch

    Technical Availability Compressor

    Five years sounds very high in the context that such standards as API generally only require bearing lives of only three years based on typical refinery / process plant turnaround cycles. You will not want your 1% margin consumed by scheduled outages. Eltjo, it sounds like your client is...
  20. BillBirch

    Microbes in Stagnant Water Heat Exchanger

    Why not simply dose it with anti-freeze? That should stop bugs growing, and should your electricity fail, your water will be protected.

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