The post Bringing New Technology to Market appeared first on AllianceEPC.
]]>The challenge
When Genesis Systems based in Tampa Bay was ready to take their groundbreaking atmospheric water generation technology from concept to reality, they needed an engineering and project development partner that could help them achieve results quickly.
AllianceEPC partnered with Genesis Systems, to provide engineering solutions, including the design and installation of the automation and control systems, as well as construction support for the completion of the WaterCube 4.0 prototype. The AllianceEPC team was honored to gather in Tampa Bay to celebrate with Genesis Systems at their public launch ceremony.
The WaterCube’s ability to produce water in nearly any climate using far less energy than competing systems makes it a promising solution to help alleviate the global water crisis. Harnessing the untapped potential of atmospheric water, it offers a new source of freshwater that will benefit water-scarce regions and contribute to a more sustainable future.
AllianceEPC was proud to partner with Genesis Systems in executing this project that has brought ground-breaking technology, and an award-winning solution to the world to help alleviate global water scarcity and contribute to a more sustainable future.
the Results
- Engineering support to help optimize final design, including design and installation of electrical and process control systems
- Logistics support while completing the fabrication, construction, and commissioning of the WaterCube 4.0 prototype
- Participated in public launch ceremony to help field technical questions about the engineering and fabrication process, and productivity capabilities of the system
- Helped bring a ground-breaking technological concept to life and deliver it to market as a fully functioning, award-winning system poised to change the world by “Making Water from Air.”
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]]>The post 3D Laser Scanning and Point Cloud Technology Improves Collaboration and Fosters Innovation appeared first on AllianceEPC.
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3d technology is an industry game-changer
State-of-the art 3D laser scanners have replaced the measuring tape and clipboard full of scribbled notes of the past. Gone are the days of spending hours in the field, taking meticulous measurements to correct outdated P&IDs. 3D technology reduces the time and expense of fieldwork, while providing complete point cloud based “as built” documentation of the project area, with unprecedented clarity and dimensional accuracy.
improved collaboration fosters innovation
Utilizing point-cloud design technology, new project designs are integrated with the scanned “as built” data to create a 3D model or BIM (Building Information Model) that can be used for project reviews and collaboration between stakeholders. Teams can now take virtual tours of planned projects, well before construction begins. This improved collaboration creates benefits such as: elimination of errors, improved safety and risk management, greater project optimization, clear and complete construction details, and efficient mobilization of operations and maintenance activities upon start-up. These benefits reduce total projects costs and yield a greater return on investment.
Projects are delivered more efficiently
Integration of 3D laser scanning and point-cloud design technology into the engineering and project development process is an industry game-changer. Spending less time hashing over inaccurate P&IDs and more time collaborating and optimizing project details fosters innovation. With proper utilization of this technology, world-class, innovative projects are delivered safer, faster, and more efficiently than ever before.
Alliance Engineers & Project Consultants is a multi-disciplined EPCM firm with expertise in 3D Laser Scanning and Point-Cloud Design Technology. We assist clients throughout North America by leveraging this technology to transform their project delivery process while setting new standards in innovative engineering and project solutions.
Contact us today at 409-241-8020 for more information.
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]]>The post Upgrading SIS Systems to Improve Safety appeared first on AllianceEPC.
]]>The challenge
A Southeast Texas chemical facility was using an older style Trip Amplifier card system to maintain safe process values for their plant that was quickly going out of date.
Trip amplifiers, or Trip Amps, take analog values and convert them to a discrete signal output. These Direct Current Alarm cards, originally manufactured in the 90’s, receive signals from instrumentation in the selected values. While this system served the plant well for many years, because of its age, replacement parts were becoming difficult to find, and the system was quickly becoming obsolete.
AllianceEPC was able to provide front-end project planning to evaluate multiple SIS equipment manufacturers so that the client could select which manufacturer they preferred and obtain capital funding to implement the project.
Once manufacturers were selected and funding was approved, AllianceEPC was able to coordinate and successfully complete the detailed engineering and design phase of the project.
the Results
- AllianceEPC developed a complete construction package divided into tasks that could be completed ahead of the site’s scheduled turnaround time to allow for minimal work that needed to be completed during the actual turnaround timeframe
- Updated hundreds of existing instrument loop diagrams to depict the new landing points inside of the new SIS system
- AllianceEPC provided onsite construction support so that the client could devote their resources to other tasks during turnaround
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]]>The post Upgrading Control Systems to Improve Productivity appeared first on AllianceEPC.
]]>The challenge
All of the wirings of a 20-year-old continuous paper reel rewinding/treating/extruder machine were installed with a plastic fiber wire. Over time this wiring had naturally deteriorated, causing the machine to have many outages and a continual loss of productivity.
The client called on the team from AllianceEPC for solutions. AllianceEPC developed, designed, and managed the installation of a new PLC/Ethernet-based control system including a new PLC ControlLogix cabinet and Ethernet highway system to replace the old fiber wire. They also designed a new PLC program to replicate the sophisticated control strategies which were operating the clients’ production system. New state-of-the-art operator touchscreen stations were installed that had superior capabilities over the previous HMI system.
AllianceEPC managed the entire project and the supporting electrical contractors during the construction phase, and then perform the final checkout and control system tuning and commissioning during the client’s regular planned outage.
the Results
- Quickly and efficiently planned and designed a new system to enhance efficiency and eliminate outages
- Installed state-of-the-art technology and programmed system to decrease user errors
- Managed entire project, including start-up, testing, and fine-tuning during the planned outage to reduce loss of productivity
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]]>The post Rapid Onsite Response To Restore Power appeared first on AllianceEPC.
]]>The challenge
After a tropical storm caused major flooding in a heavy industrial chemical facility, AllianceEPC responded immediately to our client’s need to assess the damage and determine a solution to quickly regain use of the facility.
Portable generators were procured to provide temporary power to the entire plant while AllianceEPC’s team began the restoration activities. Switchgear was dried and cleaned, and power was then quickly restored to facilitate site production. Some gear was too damaged to regain power, so temporary high voltage bypasses were installed as a short-term solution.
To prevent this set-back from happening again, AllianceEPC designed a new elevated switchgear house (lifting it from its previous on-grade elevation) to avoid this issue during future flooding events.
Using our 3D laser scanning technology, we designed the new fuses to fit in very tight spots that were in close proximity to the compromised gear. We expedited the new distribution equipment, and managed the rapid installation and start-up, without incurring any additional downtime at the facility.
the Results
- Rapid post-disaster onsite response to assess damage and design plans to regain power
- Worked to repair salvageable equipment and create temporary fixes where needed
- Innovated a new design to prevent future flood damage
- Utilized laser scanning technology to ensure all equipment fit properly into limited available space
- Construction was completed and started without additional downtime
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]]>The post Removing obsolete hardware without downtime appeared first on AllianceEPC.
]]>The challenge
This particular client owns and operates a 15 MWatt steam turbine/generator which was being controlled by an obsolete Rockwell PLC/5 system.
After being contracted to perform a turnkey control system upgrade, AllianceEPC designed and implemented the new control system to replace the outdated one. AllianceEPC installed a Rockwell ControlLogix PLC and updated the existing Bentley-Nevada machine protection system.
The AllianceEPC team designed, provided, and programmed the new ControlLogix system, conducted the FAT testing at our facility with the client, and provided construction oversight to assist with the installation and wiring of the new system. We then performed all pre-startup checks as well as the final startup and commissioning of the Cogen system.
the Results
- Installed and assisted the client to ensure confidence in the new systems
- Performed all pre-startup/final checks of the Cogen system
- AllianceEPC was able to perform a turnkey control system upgrade for the client during a planned turbine overhaul for maximum productivity
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]]>The post Leveraging Technology To Transform Project Delivery appeared first on AllianceEPC.
]]>The Challenge
A chemical plant client engaged AllianceEPC to expedite the removal of a large piece of equipment situated in a congested area within the facility.
AllianceEPC’s laser scanning team was quickly mobilized and conducted a 3D scan of the project area. From the 3D scan the team determined which pieces of equipment needed to be removed and identified the appropriate path for successful removal of the equipment. A detailed removal plan was developed by manipulating the piece of equipment within the 3D scan to identify clashes and support points.
The Results
- Developed an equipment removal plan to optimize each step of the execution to remove the large equipment
- Collaborated with the construction contractor to ensure proper execution to complete removal without damaging nearby systems or equipment
- Saved three (3) shifts on a critical outage job
- Allowed the chemical plant to start up safely and ahead of schedule, saving the client time and money
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