Skills Used: AutoCAD, P&ID, Communication, Collaboration, Mechanical Design, Project Management, Problem Solving
Project Dates: Summer 2019
Additional Documentation Available: No, CAD models and P&ID diagrams stayed with NV Energy
Project Description:
I was tasked with taking over a project to upgrade the Phosphate Feed system for Unit 4/5 (also called “Pinion” from the Pinion Pine Project the units were built as). This system is used during the startup of the unit to treat the water used in the Steam turbine, as Unit 4/5 is a combined cycle unit – 4 being the gas turbine and 5 being the steam turbine. The original setup was messy and difficult to accurately dose the system. I designed a new dosing system that utilized new dosing cans, a re-designed piping system connecting them that was meant to prevent potential spills and overflows, and a new chemical storage and pumping system to charge the dosing cans.
Project Results:
I was able to successfully design a system that was faster and safer to use and was approved for installation by both maintenance and engineering. One issue I ran into was that the maintenance crew wanted to use piping that was easy to use and on hand, but engineering wanted to stick to original piping specs for the unit. I was able to find a piping specification in the original plans for stainless tubing – which was easy to use and on hand. Although this wasn’t what the maintenance crew wanted to use originally, this was a nice compromise. In addition, I updated all P&ID diagrams depicting the new piping system. I learned a lot about the process of modifying equipment and using P&ID.
New dosing canister 
Old dosing canister