Victor August (Pr Eng)

Experience

• 

  MBB Consulting Engineers

  Jan 2006 - Dec 2008

  Mechanical Technician

  Nature of Work Design of HVAC Systems for Industrial Refrigerators, Air-Conditioning Systems, Greenhouses, Packing Plants, Freezing Rooms.SAB Miller Celadon – Electrical Drive Motor Trip InvestigationThe artificial germination rotary bed drive system kept failing due to system overload. MBB Consulting was involved in the original design of the system and assisted SAB Miller with an investigation to understand why the system was tripping. Also calculations were done to determine stresses in components to check if mechanical buckling was not the cause of the problem. SCADA information of the motor outputs was looked at as a final task and it was discovered that poor operation practices was used to drive the rotary bed.Water Resource Investigation for the Soetendals Vlei Wetland areaAll farms were requested to provide water registration information (approx 200 farms)We compared recorded information with Dept. of forestry & agriculture records and reported deviations.i.GIS software packages allowed me to verify plantations of various crops, identify centre pivots & verify dam volumes given by farmers. We used intense sectioning visual software & accurate contour profiles to estimate the dam volumes.4.Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for ESKOMa.GIS investigation of agricultural impact for Eskom’s new nuclear power line routesb.The routes were provided in GIS format to use. We created 50m breaks on either side of the line route and looked at various aspects making the land agriculturally valuable such as soil quality, terrain characteristics & current activity.c.A scoring system was developed which was used to allocate the route with the lowest agricultural environmental impact. Show less

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  MegChem

  Feb 2009 - Jan 2012

  Mechanical Engineer

  1. Reading scope of work (SOW) documents for scope clarification on EPC & EPCM projects.2. Compiling quotations for mechanical engineering input into projects & maintenance designs.3. Preparations of technical specifications & works procedures for replacement & modifications of heat exchangers, air coolers, drums, reactors, gearboxes, pumps, custom designed structural components & all petrochemical equipment accessories.4. Review & approval of mechanical design calculations & drawings from manufacturers such as 5. GEA Nilenca, Carbon Steel Fabricators, Turnmill, Steinmuller, Elgin Engineering, Moody Internatonal, Oliver Survey Group, TUV, Rand Instruments, Mc Steel and many other.6. Execution of design for pressure equipment & structural assemblies according to design codes, legislation requirements and client specifications. This also includes review and approval of AFC drawings for rotating & pressure petrochemical equipment.7. Mechanical Engineering for: Heat Exchangers, In Line & Closed Loop Sampling systems, Speciality Valves, PSV’s, Expansion Joints (Bellows), Steam Traps, Flow Glass, Custom Pipe Support Structures, Hot Tap Heat Input & Burn Through Analysis & Construction Support For Online Cutting Of Pipelines & Vessels.8. Scope of Work (SOW) memorandums for appointment of AIA (third party) in accordance with project scope & requirements of the PER & SANS 347 and other legislative documents.9. Emergency technical support to clients during plant shut down for any engineering services.10. Dealing with concessions, deviation corrections & any problems arising from EPC & EPCM projects. Show less

• 

  Sasol

  Feb 2012 - Apr 2016

  Sasol refers to this position as Mechanical Maintenance Area Manager. My area of responsibility includes X10 Steam Turbines 60 MW each with all auxiliaries, X2 General Electric Model 9E 100MW each Natural Gas Turbines, X2 Heat Recovery Steam Generators (HRSG) and multiple commons for 17 Babcock coal fired boilers which include:-17 BFW & 8 Process Deaerators (Tot – 25)-HP Steam, Condensate & BFW Headers-Fire Water, Ammonia/Hydrazine dosing, Cooling water, Utility water/air, instrument air and condensate recovery system headers/network.-BFW High Pressure Multistage Pumps & Other single stage pumpsAccountable for first line leadership and management of team members to enable the work of self and team members and building their expertise and skills. To deliver frontline team results such as Safety, Operations, Maintenance, Governance, Compliance, Cost and Motivation. Some detail below:-Ensure compliance to codes and standards used in chemical industries (ASME, API, Sasol specifications, etc)-Ensure statutory compliance with OSH Act-Plan & execute multi-disciplinary shutdowns and plant improvement General Overalls- Knowledge of governing laws, policies, standards e.g ISO 9002 and procedures-Financial forecasting, preparation and budget control my business division-Ensure compliance of the work management process-Fault finding & corrective actions of plant equipment-Ability to conduct root cause analyses- Process/Safety Incident identification and management-Operational Risk management-Application of safety & emergency response systems-Vendor/Contracts coordination and management-Procurement management-Employee performance management-Asset Management-Knowledge of SAP and related systems-Lead team to achieve set performance-Perform senior standby duties-Creating a motivational climate for employees-Maintaining a high level of discipline & ethics-Effective communication & interaction with service providers Show less Mechanical Engineering Support to Sasol Synfuels Power Stations Division. This includes X10 Steam Turbines 60 MW each with all auxiliaries, X2 General Electric Model 9E 100MW each Natural Gas Turbines, X2 Heat Recovery Steam Generators (HRSG), 17 Babcock Boilers (Pressure Parts & Aux Equipment) and multiple commons for 17 Babcock coal fired boilers which include:-17 BFW & 8 Process Deaerators (Tot – 25)-HP Steam, Condensate & BFW Headers-Fire Water, Ammonia/Hydrazine dosing, Cooling water, Utility water/air, instrument air and condensate recovery system headers/network.-BFW High Pressure Multistage Pumps & Other single stage pumps Show less

  • Mechanical Maintenance Dept Manager - Power Stations (Boiler, Turbines & Gas Turbines)

    Apr 2014 - Apr 2016

  • Mechanical Engineer - Power Stations (Boiler, Turbines & Gas Turbines)

    Feb 2012 - Mar 2014
• 

  Murray & Roberts - Engineered Excellence

  May 2016 - Sept 2017

  Discipline Manager Mechanical Engineering - Kusile Power Station Project

  Scope includes the following equipment:Construction of all mechanical equipment for X6 - 800MW Each - Boilers (4800MW Tot):ID Fans, PA Fans, FD Fans, Rotary Gas Air Pre-heater, Various Single & Multi-stage Pumps, Various Lines, Pulverised Coal Feeders & MPS 265 Coal mills, PF Piping, Burners, Atomising Steam & Fuel Oil Control Stations, Submerged Scraper Chain Conveyor (SSC).Ensure that an Area within a Project is effectively delivered on time, within budget and with the required profit margin to the satisfaction of the operational director.Strategically lead the Area Team in terms of an integrated high performing team, adequate resources, costs, timeframes, quality, delivery and health and safetyBuilding of relationships with all key stakeholders including other project team members, the client, Eskom, all sub contractors, Murray & Roberts Projects, etcEnsuring that all Area sub-contractors are effectively managed to minimise riskEnsuring that costs are effectively controlled so that the project is delivered within budget and provides the required profit marginEnsure that all contractual obligations of the Project Area are adhered to and effectively managedEnsuring that all construction work is effectively carried out and that the scope of work for the Area is executed successfullyTimeous identification of risks and the appropriate mitigation thereofEnsuring a safe work environment for all on site by ensuring that all the HSE aspects are adequately covered Show less

• 

  Sasol

  Oct 2017 - now

  Plants: Synthol, Benfield and Cold Separation, Gas Reforming and Chemical Work up Plants within the Sasol Secunda Complex.Equipment range: Motor and Steam Turbine driven Multistage pumps, Motor and Steam Turbine driven compressors. Compressors type range are Axial, Barrel, Screw and horizontal split face type compressors, including all lube and seal oil auxiliary equipment.-Accountable for first line leadership and management of core team (size 25 to 30) to enable predictable and stable operations. To develop team members and build their expertise and skills. To deliver frontline team results.-Management of all required front end loading and preparation work for general overhauls, turnarounds and shutdowns on all machinery types with auxiliary systems. Interface with all disciplines to ensure successful outages. Manage team size up to 150 persons during turnarounds/shutdowns.-Manage capital and renewal projects for area related machinery.-Management of refurbishment process for critical spares. Stock control & service provider management. Technical 3rd Party manufacturing/repair management.-Investigate, Improve operations through work method, tooling enhancements and evolving training systems.-Perform work using Integrated Maintenance Management Systems (incl SAP)-Ensure compliance to codes and standards used in chemical industries (ASME, API, Sasol specifications)-Ensure statutory compliance with OSH Act.-Knowledge of governing laws, policies, standards and procedures-Financial forecasting, preparation and budget control for my business division-Ensure compliance of the work management process-Fault finding & corrective actions of plant equipment. Monitoring of MTBF, MTBI, MTTR and machine trip and restart counts to enable investigations and improvement. -Ability to conduct root cause analyses & interpolate learnings to other machinery-Process/Safety Incident identification and management-Operational Risk management Show less Department: Turbo Equipment MaintenanceMy areas of responsibility at Sasol Synfuels Operations, Secunda site are Gas Production, Tar, Phenosolvan and Sulphur Plants.Equipment range: Multistage pumps, Screw and centrifugal Compressors, pump and turbine auxiliaries.Accountable for first line leadership and management of team members to enable the work of self and team members and building their expertise and skills. To deliver frontline team results such as Safety, Operations, Maintenance, Governance, Compliance, Cost and Motivation. Some detail below:-Plan and execute turnarounds on machinery-Ensure compliance to codes and standards used in chemical industries (ASME, API, Sasol specifications, etc)-Ensure statutory compliance with OSH Act-Plan & execute multidisciplinary yearly major shutdowns and plant improvement General Overalls-Knowledge of governing laws, policies, standards e.g ISO 9002 and procedures-Financial forecasting, preparation and budget control my business division-Ensure compliance of the work management process-Fault finding & corrective actions of plant equipment-Ability to conduct root cause analyses & interpolate learnings to other machinery-Process/Safety Incident identification and management-Operational Risk management-Employee performance management-Asset Management-Lead team to achieve company vision-Perform senior standby duties-Creating a motivational climate for employees-Drive and demonstrate a high level of discipline & ethics-Service provider management Show less Area: Gas Circuit - Synthol Units - 020 & 220 - Phases/Train SystemsEquipment: Synthol Reactors, Air Cooled Heat Exchangers, Shell & Tube Heat Exchangers, Vessels, Piping systems. Equipment in Hydrocarbon Service.Ensure that Equipment Maintenance Strategies (EMS) systems are developed in accordance with Sasol ProceduresFacilitate Risk Based Inspections (RBI) for pressure equipmentFacilitate failure analyses investigations (RCA's)Coach & Assist technicians as needed to perform duties related to reliability engineeringMonitoring plant health and reporting on various monitoring elementsIdentify bad actor equipment and create health improvement solutions as neededPerform integrity studies on equipmentPerform asset performance simulations (APT Study)Prepare reports for operations & other stake holdersAssist to integrate resource efforts by extracting and highlighting key areas that require focusAsses OWAP (Operating within Agreed Parameters) deviation trends & report on findingsMonitor and report on loss accountingTranslate lessons learned to other areas where information can be beneficial Show less

  • Area Manager Turbomachinery/Rotating Equipment - Gas Circuit & CWU

    May 2021 - now

  • Area Manager Turbomachinery/Rotating Equipment - Gas Production, TPNS

    Jun 2018 - Apr 2021

  • Reliability Engineer - Synthol (Gas Circuit)

    Oct 2017 - May 2018