Blog

The Provenance team is not only dedicated to providing exceptional client services, we also strive to share our expertise. This past year, our team has participated in educational programming, industry conferences and presentations, and achieved some impressive professional milestones. Check out a brief list of what Provenance team members have participated in.

Industry Presentations/Events

• 2019 AIChE Spring Meeting (New Orleans, LA) – presentation and whitepaper by Justin Phillips, P.E.

  • “Relief Systems Anonymous: Answers to Questions You Don’t Want to Ask”

In my experience, many industry professionals avoid asking “dumb” technical questions openly for reasons of fear or pride. What engineers need are answers to the technical pressure relief systems questions they just can’t find a way to ask. This presentation shared questions submitted from dozens of anonymous engineers when asked, “What do you want to know about pressure relief systems but were too afraid to ask?” It then answers them using the latest RAGAGEP and industry direction.

• • You can access a recording of the presentation and the whitepaper on the AIChE Academy website. Feel free to contact us with questions or for a copy.

• GPA Midstream – presentation by James Topp (Content by Lauren Mercer)

  • “Jurisdictional Boundaries in Midstream: Where is the Line?”

This presentation discussed the gray area between PSM and DOT jurisdiction, including coverage of Terminal operations (e.g. drying), break-out tanks, railcars/trucks, and cavern applicability. The nuances of PSM applicability, including interconnectivity and colocation, hydrocarbon used as a fuel, atmospheric tanks, and safety systems will be presented. Furthermore, this paper will provide a history of jurisdictional boundary and PSM applicability cases/interpretations and will present examples of determining PSM jurisdiction and applicability.

• • You can access a copy of the presentation online.

• Sponsored AIChE Webinars:

  • PSM Compliance Audits – Leveraging your “A” Team by Dylan Misslin
  • Can PHA be Big Data? How to Make PHA Data Work Smarter by Patrick Nonhof
  • What your Relief Experts Wish your PHA Team Knew by Justin Phillips & Tony Powell
  • How Damage Mechanism Reviews Impact Operations by Vipin Vijayakumaran

• Chemical Processing Magazine “Process Puzzler” Submissions

  • Kelley VanLoon – responding to “Cloudburst Creates Commissioning Confusion”
    • Refer To API 571:

“It is likely that your problem is with the process and not so much maintenance wash procedures. I recommend looking into the stream components, particularly chloride concentrations. You may have a very-well-known damage mechanism, called ammonium chloride corrosion, at work in your main fractionator tower…” [read more]

• • Adam Agha – responding to “What Does Proper Pressure Relief Demand?”
    • Consider Four Key Questions:

“When it comes to distillation towers, you always want to be certain that you put the right pressure relief device (PRD) in the right spot. Due to the complexities of distillation towers, many relief cases can exceed the normal relief rates you see from your typical vessel overpressure scenarios. In events such as these, it’s always good to get an experienced evaluator or a second opinion of the evaluation of your column PRDs…” [read more]

Professional Achievements

• Ene Okinedo passed his Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam.

To become licensed, engineers must complete a four-year college degree, work under a Professional Engineer for at least four years, pass two intensive competency exams and earn a license from their state’s licensure board. Then, to retain their licenses, PEs must continually maintain and improve their skills throughout their careers.

• Lauren Hendrickson – Lauren has been promoted to Project Lead. She has worked for Provenance since 2014 and has a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Texas.
• Edward Guillen – Edward has been promoted to Project Lead. He started working with Provenance in 2014 and has worked across numerous projects within the Mechanical Integrity Line of Service.

In addition, in 2019 Edward Guillen completed his API 653 Inspector certification, making him a rare triple-certified inspector (API 510, 570, 653).

• Judy Ue and Patrick Fisher both passed an important client’s PHA Facilitator Certification program.
• Heather Feimster earned mention on the communication industry list “Seven PR Pros to Follow“

Educational & Community Programming

• UT Girl Day (University of Texas at Austin)

  • Our team of The University of Texas Chemical Engineering alumni loved helping over 800 students make their own Galaxy in a Bottle at #UTGirlDay 2019! Such an awesome event put on by the UT Women in Engineering Program at Austin. Check out the demonstration video to see our activity and more photos.

• UT ChemE 102 – Presentation on Process Safety Opportunities

  • Our team gave an overview of process safety for first-year students.

• UT ASME & AIChE Student Chapter Meetings and Tailgate

  • We hosted our annual tailgate with UT’s student chapters of ASME (The American Society of Mechanical Engineers) and AIChE – American Institute of Chemical Engineers on October 19th for the UT-Kansas game in Austin. Student members joined us for some awesome BBQ, beverages, and a few friendly games of washers!

• Heat-Up Hutchinson County Cook-Off

  • In September, the Provenance team earned “Best Ribs” at the 2019 Heat-up Hutchinson Cook Off. Shout out to the Provenance team and our awesome employees: Kaci Walden, Heather Thompson, Sam McKinley and David Cruz. We love this event and supporting Hutchinson County United Way.