Blog Archives
Mid-Atlantic Ocean Port
Mid-South Engineering worked with a national conveyor supplier & fabricator to engineer & design the structural support systems for the conveyors at a Pellet Loadout Facility at a major international port facility. Mid-South was responsible for the structural engineering and design (member sizing) of the conveyor truss systems, bent support systems, and all transfer structures; including head houses on the top of the storage domes. This facility is capable of storing up to 90,000 metric tons of wood pellets and shipping the pellets around the world. There were many obstacles and clearances requiring special engineering of some support bents to allow for both vehicle (Tractor Trailer) and railroad passage for both during construction as well as once the facility was operational.
South Carolina Particleboard Plant
Four separate projects combined to make one large plant expansion. Expansion of the facility allowed the plant to grow the capacity of its particleboard and thermally-fused laminate operations. The particleboard expansion will increase by 60 million square-feet annually. These investments will allow the company to meet the growing demand for particleboard and broaden its TFL design offering in the region.
South Carolina Pellet Plant
Mid-South Engineering was selected to be the Owner’s engineer on this greenfield project. Our services included coordination of multiple EPC vendors, complete detailed electrical engineering, and piping design. Mid-South Engineering also provided procurement assistance for material handling equipment, electrical equipment, buildings, and multiple installation contracts. Additionally, we provided complete document control and full time on-site construction coordination.
Energy Studies
Approaches Used for Energy Studies
by Eldon Doody, P.E.
Our team utilizes a comprehensive approach to energy evaluations to ensure the most suitable and cost-effective outcomes for our clients. Our energy studies typically involve the following steps:
Site Survey and Information Gathering:
The first step in each energy study is a visit to the client’s facility by key staff members. One purpose of the site visit is to gather and review documentation such as drawings and historical operating data. The site visit allows our engineers to get a firsthand look at the facilities and equipment, to assess existing conditions and to determine opportunities for improvement. It also allows us to review potential locations for future equipment.
Perhaps most importantly, the site visit provides an opportunity for our staff to meet with facility operating and maintenance personnel to obtain their valuable input and ideas as to the facility’s issues, limitations and potential.
Energy Modeling:
A key component of each energy study is the development of an energy model that represents all the energy inputs and outputs for both the existing facility and for proposed changes. We strive to have several years, preferably five years, of data to input into the models. This includes fuel consumption, electrical consumption, thermal and electrical energy in-house generation, etc. The spreadsheet format allows our clients and us to experiment with various “what-if” scenarios. Models are developed using Microsoft Excel, have the advantage of being widely used by technical personnel, and are easily modified by us or for use by others. The model includes all the major elements of a steam plant, including: Boilers, Steam Headers, Condensate Headers, Power Turbine-Generators, Pressure Reducing Valves, Feedwater Pump Turbines, Boiler Fan Turbines, Deaerators, Feed Water Heaters, De-superheaters, Air Heaters, Blow Down Flash Tanks, Blow Down Condensate Heat Recovery, and Cooling Towers.
Mid-South Engineering In the News
Articles and Photos provided to Mid-South Engineering by Steve Brawner, Editor, Arkansas Professional Engineers Magazine, Little Rock, AR
Mid-South Engineering is proud to announce Larry Stephens and Bruce Westerman have been featured in the July 2015 issue of the Arkansas Professional Engineers Magazine. Mid-South Engineering would like to congratulate them on this recent accomplishment and acknowledgment.
Larry Stephens, P.E., former President, Vice-President, and Treasurer, now a current Chairman for Mid-South Engineering, has been selected as the ASPE Engineer of the Year. After starting Mid-South Engineering in 1969 alongside Roy Murphy, Larry’s intelligence, people skills, and knowledge of the sawmill industry have assisted in the expansion into other various wood industries. Larry said it best,
I think our key is the fact that our mission statement says
that we serve the client and always work for the client’s best interests.”
To read more about Larry Stephens’ wonderful achievement, click here.
Rep. Bruce Westerman not only has become R-Arkansas’ current State Representative, he has brought his engineering problem solving skills to Congress.
I still get to do problem-solving, and really that’s what engineering is: problem solving. I’ve heard more than one engineer describe themselves as ‘glorified problem solvers,’ that engineering school taught you the problem-solving method and it gave you the tools to solve complex problems, and the experience that you get after you get out of school is where you really learn what engineering’s about.”
To read more about Rep. Bruce Westerman and his feature: “An Engineer in Washington”, click here.
Mid-South Engineering would also like to thank Arkansas Professional Engineer Magazine for recognizing our employees and their hard work. To get more information about Larry Stephens & Rep. Bruce Westermans’ articles, please visit their website: Arkansas Professional Engineers Magazine.
