Experience

• 

  Sasol

  Dec 2009 - Jan 2010

  Vacation work student

  During my vacation work period I was allocated to work within the steam plant environment. I was tasked to investigate the integrity issues that Boiler 9 was experiencing and based on those findings propose possible solutions to improve the reliability of that specific boiler.I won the third place prize at the presentation day for my work on Boiler 9.

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  Sasol

  Dec 2010 - Jan 2011

  Vacation work student

  During my vacation work period I was allocated to the tar environment. I was tasked with the feasibility study of the replacement of the coke cutting tool on the coker reactors at Carbo Tar. I researched the the function of the old tool and how it is operated. Based on my investigations and extensive contact with suppliers I recommended the best tool for the replacement project.The new tool, as was recommended by me, was successfully installed in 2012.

• 

  Sasol

  Jan 2012 - now

  My responsibilities as a fabrication engineer are as follows:• Design verification/approval of design packages (calculations and drawings) completed by engineering contractors. • Executing the mechanical design of small, low risk pressure vessels.• Compilation of technical procurement documents for pressure vessel parts, material or services and interacting with suppliers to ensure technical and schedule compliance.• Reviewing PWHT (Post Weld Heat Treatment) set-up and control on complex configurations.• Compilation of repair procedures that specify NDE, heat treatment and other quality requirements.• Project management and front-end loading of new pressure vessel fabrication projects.• Mentoring and coaching of mechanical and metallurgical engineers-in-training.My achievements:• I reduced the lead time of duplex stainless steel tubes procured from China for a heat exchanger refurbishment project, from 6 months to 5 months. This created time in the schedule to qualify a semi-automatic welding process which reduced the overall project schedule by 2 months and saved R 1.3 million of the project budget.• I drove the fabrication of a new tube bundle within the two week shutdown period by ensuring drawings were updated, finding readily available and code acceptable material alternatives and reducing the specification requirements for fabrication. This protected production volumes and reduced the legal risk to upper management. Show less My responsibilities as a plant support engineer were as follows: • Technical support for failures and emergency repairs based on material and code requirements.• Compilation of repair procedures that specify NDE, heat treatment and other quality requirements.• Mechanical input into Root Cause Analyses (RCA) and proposal of mechanical engineering solutions based on the outcomes of those investigations.• Mechanical input into Risk Based Inspections and associated Equipment Maintenance Strategies.• Technical track lead on Tier 4 and 5 projects.• Integrity studies of critical equipment.My achievements:• I generated a new internal support design for damaged brackets inside a reactor hopper which extended the life of the equipment thereby protecting production volumes.• I implemented changes to the quality control plan of leaking PSVs (Pressure Safety Valves) which deferred a double up project and reduced the risk of a safety incident or a factory shutdown due to a failure.• I performed an integrity check on steam lines which were being operated at conditions higher than allowed by design. The resulting modifications resulted in a continuous steam saving of approximately R 24 million/year.• I developed various repair procedures for wall loss found on columns during the planned shutdown in September 2017. My repair solutions avoided PWHT and the need for a fitness for service. Show less My responsibilities as a candidate engineer were as follows: •To develop a solid foundation in mechanical engineering.•To develop strong network base for future projects and understand the different departments in the company and their value to the business.•Gain an overview of the maintenance and planning processes (including shutdown and breakdown activities). •Understand the various Non-Destructive Examination techniques used when inspecting vessels in service.•Be involved in shutdown activities by assisting with tracking of repairs and installation of projects.•Exposure to welding procedure qualifications and post weld heat treatment requirements according to code.•Gain an understanding on how to read and use ASME VIII, Div 1 and ASME B31.3 design codes.•Gain an understanding on how to use and read various Sasol Specifications regarding pressure vessels and piping.•Gain an understanding in and exposure to API 571 and metallurgical failure investigation processes.•To gain exposure to the asset health management principle and the role mechanical engineering plays in reliability centered maintenance. I was promoted from this role to my current role of Mechanical Engineer after successfully passing a 12 month and 18 month panel review. Show less

  • Senior Welding and Metallurgical Engineer

    May 2021 - now

  • Fabrication Engineer

    Oct 2017 - May 2021

  • Mechanical Engineer

    May 2013 - Oct 2017

  • Candidate Mechanical Engineer

    Jan 2012 - Apr 2013
• 

  Oryx gtl

  Feb 2020 - Mar 2020

  Mechanical engineer

  My responsibilities as a supporting mechanical engineer were as follows:• To provide engineering support and drive solutions on shutdown related queries during the Oryx turnaround.My achievements:• I developed machining guidelines based on strength calculations and best practices to prevent leakage to atmosphere from a heat exchanger. It solves a ‘day one’ problem that is inherent in the design of the exchanger.• I developed a weld repair procedure for cracks found at various nozzle-to-shell welding junctions on a separation drum. The vessel was successfully repaired, avoiding a costly and time consuming post weld heat treatment. Show less