George Van Der Merwe

Experience

• 

  Sasol Polymers

  Nov 2006 - Jan 2007

  Engineering Intern

  Responsibilities included the redesign of the steam heating supply piping system in order to improve the heating supply to the gear drive polymer extruder.

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  Sasol Polymers

  Nov 2007 - Jan 2008

  Engineering Intern

  Internship included the development of a fluidized bed model aimed at reducing polymer pellet entrainment. To aid in the reduction of polymer pellet entrainment I developed a custom cone shaped sieve to prevent entrainment through the outlet vent system while maintaining the required open surface area.

• 

  North-West University / Noordwes-Universiteit

  Jan 2009 - Dec 2010

  Reseacher

  Responsibility• Conduct research and experimentation to determine the influence of particle size and particle density on the combustion of Highveld coal.Experience• Completed a Master’s Degree (Cum Laude) in chemical engineering, which was entitled “The influence of particle size and density on the combustion of Highveld coal”• Detail process engineering model development to predict the behaviour of the coal particles • Design and commissioning of the required experimental equipment, including a combustion furnace, flow measurement and gas analysers. • In addition the setup required the design, programming and implementation of a fully automated data logging software application utilising hardware communication protocols in the Visual Basic.Net platform.• Designed, developed and commissioned a custom large particle density measurement apparatus using mercury submersion. • The thesis was awarded the Academic excellence award for the best Master’s Degree dissertation on fossil fuel in South Africa (2012) by the Fossil Fuel Foundation• Several publications and proceedings including "The properties of large coal particles and reaction kinetics of corresponding chars." Accepted for publication in Fuel, September 2014 Show less

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  Sasol

  Jan 2011 - now

  Responsibilities:Manage and execute the design, development, engineering and implementation of processes (Typically large Tier 2 or 3) in accordance with design standards codes and sound engineering practices in order to satisfy business requirements.Experience:- Design and execution of several large projects with critical deliverables such as engineering packages, mechanical completion, ready for commissioning, HAZOP studies, MOC coordination, sign-off and pre-start-up safety reviews (PSSR).- The conceptual engineering on the electrostatic precipitator replacement project at steam plant• Engineering Manager responsibilities - Multi-discipline Scope of Work development - Engineering track quality plan development - Quality assurance and integration of engineering discipline deliverables - Resolution and management of technical issues - Engineering and construction contractor management• Construction Manager for ECV project• Handover management and sign-off• Design, evaluation, selection and safe operation of process equipment including coil heat exchangers, pump sizing, control valve sizing and selection, electrostatic precipitators, pump sealing systems and fixed bed gasifiers• Develop and implement new operating philosophies and procedures, control structures and narratives and start-up manuals • Quality control of deliverables against applicable codes, standards and specifications. Deliverables include instruments, valves, piping systems, data books, drawings, design packages and end-of-job documentation.• Aspen simulations to determine fluid properties behavior.• Equipment datasheet development • Training for operators as well as instrument technicians• Refinery plant capacity verification and baseline development • Bid clarification, contract negotiations, compensation event evaluation• Detail experience on Gasification technology, coal processing, gas cooling, and boiler PM emission control technology Show less Responsibility• Support the production budget by meeting production targets, providing technical process engineering support and identifying debottlenecking and improvement opportunities• Define allowable operating parameters and ensure operation within defined ranges• Data collection and analysis analyse plant performance and optimise drivers to ensure maximum safe production• Design, manage and drive small to medium projects (Tier 3-5) in accordance with the applicable codes, standards and engineering specifications in order to satisfy business requirementsExperience• Punching and mechanical check-out and sign-off on the Additional Fixed Bed Dry Bottom gasifier project (Tier 2) as well as commissioning and start-up of new gasifier reactors• Develop and conduct gasifier post start-up performance measurement and beneficial operation performance report and sign-off• Additional gasifier start-up modification manager and MOC coordinator• Root cause analysis on start-up trip problems, coal lock depressurization and compressor trip problems• Plant performance monitoring, analysis and reporting• Improvement project identification and execution• Participate in plant wide MFD and HAZOP review• Plant wide RBI (Risk based inspection) model population and development• Develop, design and implement mass balances monitoring tools on ash lock and coal lock systems. Monitoring tools developed with Visual Basic for Excel.• Develop, design and generate conceptual engineering packages for smaller projects. • Exposure to environmental legislation requirements and restrictions, these include the NEMA air and water quality acts.• Hydraulic modelling of the overall gasification start-up air system to predict performance on the coal lock extraction ejectors• Technical operation support and troubleshooting Show less

  • Engineering Manager - SO 2030 Sustainability Programme

    Sept 2022 - now

  • Senior Process Engineer

    Mar 2019 - Sept 2023

  • Process Engineer

    Apr 2012 - Mar 2019

  • Operations Engineer

    Jan 2011 - Mar 2012