Set Up an Effective Greenhouse Gas Monitoring Plan In this month’s issue of Chemical Processing, SSOE Group’s Anna Koperczak, Senior Environmental Specialist, discusses the upcoming deadline mandated by the U.S. EPA. In this article Koperczak also breaks down the components of a successful monitoring plan necessary to fulfill this federal regulation. Click the link below to read Anna's article in Chemical Processing magazine. "Set Up An Effective Greenhouse Gas Monitoring Plan" Our Senior Environmental Specialist, Anna Koperczak, gives expert advice on how to set up a GHG monitoring plan. Anna has more than 20 years experience preparing environmental permits and helping clients comply with environmental regulations for their facilities and processes. She has utilized her extensive knowledge of reporting and permitting requirements for a variety of clients, including those in the automotive, energy, food, chemical, steel, and refining industries. View the Q&A below Federal Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Tailoring Rule Download the complete chart What is it? In May 2010, the EPA issued a final ruling to increase the major source thresholds for GHGs from 100/250 TPY to 25,000 TPY, effectively "tailoring" the PSD and Title V permit programs to target only "major" GHG sources and major modifications. GHG's include CO2, N2O, CH4, HFCs, PFCs, and SF6. Why does it exist? To phase in permitting requirements and reduce the number of applications submitted at one time. Who does it affect? All facilities applying for, renewing, or revising an air quality permit; or facilities that increase their GHG emissions by 75,000 TPY. What's required? Phase 1:Permits Issued Jan. 2, 2011 – June 30, 2011 PSD permit: new construction projects or modifications that increase GHG to more than 75,000 TPY are required to conduct a Best Available Control Technology (BACT) analysis. Title V permits: only when applying for a new, renewing, or revising a permit. Phase 2: Permits Issued July 1, 2011 – June 30, 2013 PSD permit: new construction projects that emit GHG emissions of at least 100,000 TPY, and modifications to existing facilities that increase GHG emissions by at least 75,000 TPY. Title V permit: facilities that emit at least 100,000 TPY How does SSOE help? Help clients understand the permit requirements and how they apply to them. Complete / coordinate permit applications and help revise processes and/or building plans to meet guidelines. How does SSOE add value? SSOE applies its broad knowledge of industrial processes and facilities and full range of services to identify emissions issues before permits are submitted for review. Mandatory GHG Reporting Rule Download the complete chart What is it? In October 2009, the EPA issued the "Mandatory Reporting of GHGs Rule" that requires industrial facilities to report their GHG data and other relevant information. The Rule is referred to as 40 CFR 98 (or Part 98 Rule).The gases reported include CO2, N2O,and CH4. Why does it exist? To gain accurate and timely GHG data that will inform future decisions. Who does it affect? Facilities that emit 25,000 TPY of GHGs, and any of the following facility Continue Reading →

Dewayne Galyon, Basebuild Technical Specialist at SSOE, dives back into statistical process control (SPC) in this Reliable Plant Magazine article. SPC—a method of quality control that assists manufacturers in maximizing production, minimizing waste, and keeping costs down—consists of multiple procedures designed to monitor conditions critical for maintaining process control, which vary depending on the type of facility. Dewayne walks readers through his guidelines for fully leveraging the advantages of SPC, which can make significant impacts to a plant’s bottom line when correctly applied to a process. Continue Reading →

Vince DiPofi, PE, Chief Strategy Officer at SSOE Group, was featured in ENR’s May 2017 cover story, “The Top 500 Design Firms: Market Poised for Takeoff”. From healthcare reform and regulation changes to the race to rebuild U.S. infrastructure, the article highlights some of the questions and concerns surrounding the industry following the recent election. Although preliminary indicators point to a strong, healthy market and we’ve already seen an increase in private sector jobs, a theme of caution continues to persist. Vince, who has experienced nine presidential elections during the course of his career, comments on the buzz surrounding the election and its effect on the industry. He also discusses how potential changes to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) have already impacted the automotive market, as seen in postponed spending. Continue Reading →

Jens Ebert, PE, PMP, Senior Project Manager at SSOE, recently authored this article, which examines the phased approach to project execution referred to as front-end loading (FEL) and its many advantages. Also known as pre-project planning (PPP) and front-end engineering and design (FEED), the FEL approach to project delivery involves early project planning and engineering, so that design changes are easier and cheaper to accommodate, comparatively. FEL is very structured and can require more cost upfront, but projects are less likely to have issues or costly changes, and gives stakeholders an opportunity to make more informed decisions along the way. Continue Reading →

Thomas Nestor, PE, responds to some common electrical challenges faced on projects, and guides readers through examples of careful pre-planning strategies in this article recently published in Plant Engineering Magazine. Thorough research combined with a unified, “holistic” approach can help meet invariable objectives such as budget adherence, plant safety, reliability, and productivity. Capturing accurate, comprehensive information and fully understanding existing conditions, although laborious and often difficult, is critical as it directly correlates to the success of a project. Continue Reading →

A thorough process definition lays the foundation for a successful greenfield project Dale Feldhaus, department manager in Industrial Process Controls at SSOE Group, was recently published in Chemical Processing Magazine. In his article, he discusses the importance of the preliminary phase of a greenfield project, which Feldhaus refers to as the “process definition phase.” Feldhaus has nearly 30 years of experience, specializing in the design, specification, and coordination of controls and instrumentation for projects within the industrial industry. Continue Reading →