Refining – Slurry Oil Storage Tank

Refinery | Texas

Project Services: EPC | Home Office Engineering & Design | Seconded On-Site Project Management

IPM performed complete engineering, design, and construction for a client’s Slurry Oil Storage Tank.

The project’s purpose was to replace an old tank with a new one, while designing for the ability to store vacuum bottoms (VTB) at operating temperatures high enough to circulate and off-load onto outbound trucking. [High temperatures had to be maintained for flowability] At least two other products with different temperature requirements were also designed for use in the tank.

Project Summary

Due to catalyst fines build up on the bottom of the tank and the age of the existing tank, the client required a replacement tank project to be developed, estimated, and reviewed for execution. In an effort to keep the capital cost minimized, IPM evaluated 4 options for the client. The options evaluated the tank location, added pumps and exchangers, and total installed cost. Based on these criteria, IPM provided a recommendation to the client.

The project included process development [working with the client to scope out the project and determine what was needed] , a new 10,000 bbl storage tank [insulated for heat conservation], truck loading platforms, truck loading arms, internal tank mixer, exchanger, pumps, piping and pipe racks, structural steel supports, steam/condensate tracing, insulation, instrumentation, electrical, sitework, foundations and paving.

Project Highight Features Include:

Tank insulation & mixing to keep product hot, consistent, and flowable
Internal tank mixer [design, specification sheet]
Overhead truck loading specialty equipment
Product metering system for accounting services
Storage tank helical pier foundation design
Added the ability to top load truck directly from the tank.
Tank was designed to handle multiple products with different temperature requirements
A circulation system was designed to reduce catalyst fines build up in the tank

Project Scope

Install a new 10,000 bbl Slurry Oil storage tank. The normal operating temperature of the tank will be 212-250 F, but it will be designed and constructed to be able to store VTB at the higher operating temperature of 350 F if required on an emergency / maintenance basis. Stub outs will be provided, but the piping will not be installed to connect the VTB tank as part of this project. The tank will be located west of existing VTB Tank 69.
Install truck loading facilities including: loading platform, loading arm, and pumps.
Install one mixer in the tank to prevent settlement of catalyst fines. External mixer
Install circulation system including external exchanger, and circulation pump.
Install the required tie-in on the existing slurry line and route approximately 800′ of 4” pipe using existing pipe rack steel were available. The new line will be routed above grade were possible. It will have to be routed under the middle tank farm road by using an existing pipe trench previously installed. Most of this route is using existing rack except at the road crossing & at the new tank location.
Fabricate and install the required pipe rack and misc. pipe supports.
The pipe will be zinc primed, and exposed piping will be finish coated.
The pipe will be steam traced and insulated. Additional tie-ins for steam and condensate will be made on the existing steam and condensate systems.
Install the required foundations for the tank, exchanger, pumps, and loading rack.
The CBO tank will be insulated on the shell and roof per specifications.
Accommodations will be made for a second, 10,000 bbl, cone roof, Slurry Oil Tank in the future. Stub outs for future tie-ins to the second Slurry Oil Tank will be provided.
The vapor pressure of slurry at 350 F was measured at 0.27 psia

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Rachel Tripp

Regional Vice President

Rachel Tripp has 20+ years of experience in developing business for the downstream, midstream, and upstream industries, with additional experience in government contracts. Her primary responsibilities at IPM are business development for new clients and development of marketing strategies for the Midcontinent Region.

Prior to joining IPM, Ms. Tripp served as Vice President for a large EPC firm. She generated new business through strategic marketing plans and sales, exceeded her revenue goals and maintained excellent client relationships. Her collaboration with executive management, focus on service to the client, and cultivation of relationships make her a pleasure with which to work.

Rachel received a B.S. in Business from Fort Hays State University in Kansas. She is President of the Midcontinent GPA Midstream and an active member and volunteer in the Pipe Liners Club of Tulsa.

Ron King

Vice President, Alternative Energy

As VP of Alternative Energy, Ron King is responsible for development and execution of projects in non-traditional energy sectors.

King has 35 years of experience in a broad range of processes including coal preparation and refinement, gas to liquids, coal to liquids, gasification, refining, midstream, petrochemical, specialty chemicals, polymers and coatings, and inks and resins. Past assignments include process engineering, project management, engineering management, operations, and operations management. In his current assignment, King specializes in development, design, construction, and commissioning of new energy processes.

Safety in design is King’s top priority. His wide range of experience allows him to draw best safety practices from industry leaders. He has HAZOP/PHA facilitator training and has conducted many HAZOP/PHA and LOPA studies.

King is a 1986 graduate of Lamar University with a BS in Chemical Engineering. He has been trained in ISO 9001 auditing and has implemented ISO certified processes for several companies. He also has training in 6 Sigma process improvement methodology.

Catherine Casey

Executive Assistant & Administrative Services Manager

Catherine Casey joined IPM in 2012. Her responsibilities include Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Payroll, and all other administrative functions. She also serves as an executive assistant and assists with HR.

Casey ensures that all personnel going into the field are safety tested, background checked, and that they have the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). She is trained and responsible for OSHA Recordkeeping and First Report of Injury. (Note: IPM’s safety record has been perfect since inception, and continuing this record is everybody’s responsibility.)

Casey is a long time volunteer and past board member of the SPCA of East Texas.

Scott Baker, P.E.

Vice President of Projects

Scott Baker has over 25 years of experience in the engineering, procurement, and construction management industry. His responsibilities at IPM include supervising in-house project managers and supporting business development.

Prior to joining IPM, Mr. Baker served a key role as VP of Midstream, developing and managing business development and projects for a startup midstream division. Other contributing roles have been as a Senior Project Manager, Instrumentation & Control Systems Engineer, and Assistance to Operations.

Scott began his career as a Process Engineer at E.I. DuPont in Victoria, Texas, where he learned the foundation for safety is “The Goal is Zero” and that safety mindset affects everything we do. Scott received a B.S. with highest honors in Chemical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin and an M.B.A. from the University of Texas at Tyler. He is an active member of the GPA/GPSA, serves on the NTGPA board, and serves on the Northeast Texas Energy Summit board.

Jake Robertson

Vice President, Manager of Business and HR

Jake Robertson oversees all daily business operations including Accounting, Finance, Legal, and Human Resources. He manages cash flow, prepares and reports company financial statements, and ensures compliance with all contractual insurance requirements. He is responsible for forecasting revenues/earnings and manages all in-house and third-party accounting, banking, and legal personnel. Jake administers IPM's employee benefits plans with a key emphasis on identifying cost-effective solutions which support the company's overall goals.

He is also responsible for procurement of project equipment, materials, and services.

Jake joined IPM in 2007 and participates in key decision making as a member of the executive management team.

Jake has a background in banking and earned a BBA in Finance from UT Tyler in 2007. He is the founder and President of Real Men Outfitters, a mentoring program for boys in East Texas.

Chris Knotts

Vice President, Project Services

Chris Knotts has over 46 years experience in fabrication, inspection, maintenance management, construction management and project management. His responsibilities at IPM include business development and construction management, and he serves as IPM’s Safety Officer and QA/QC Officer.

Prior to joining IPM, Mr. Knotts served in roles as Officer and Corporate Vice President Capital Projects, Director Capital Projects, Maintenance Manager, Senior Inspector for refining and mid-stream. His areas of expertise include fixed equipment fabrication QA/QC inspection, in service piping & equipment inspection, maintenance management, construction management, and project management.

Knotts has held certifications as Industrial Fire Brigade Instructor (Texas A&M), API-510 Pressure Vessel Inspector (Certification #70), and Level II certifications in MPT, RT and UT Inspections. He served on the AFPM Reliability & Maintenance Board and Panel for ten years.

Said Knotts, “Over the course of my entire career, I have had the responsibility of either fabricating, installing, maintaining and/or repairing process systems. I have a very good understanding of what the customer wants, from modularizing portions of a project to reduce both cost and schedule, reuse of existing equipment on revamps where it makes sense, upgrading piping and equipment for longer life, to constructability and maintainability when designing projects.”

Chris Knotts can be contacted at (903) 405-4660 or cknotts@infinitypminc.com.

Danny Hoppis, P.E.

President, Manager of Engineering

As President, Danny Hoppis is responsible for company operations as well as managing the engineering group.

Hoppis has more than 40 years of experience that includes design and maintenance engineering as well as process plant management roles in inspection, maintenance, and operations. As Capital Projects Manager he was responsible for numerous process plant improvement projects that included a facility revamp and expansion with an overall total value over $1 billion. He has served in both facility management and executive management positions.

Having spent the majority of his career working in process plants and having been a VP with responsibility for health and safety, he has a great appreciation for safety in design and safety of personnel. “Our motto is “BUILD IT SAFELY…TO LAST,” and we take our role in design of plant facilities seriously, and we purposely conduct ourselves in a safe manner in our main office and at our clients’ plant and construction sites.”

Hoppis is a 1980 graduate of the University of Tulsa in Mechanical Engineering and is a Registered Professional Engineer in 13 states. He previously held certification as a Pressure Vessel Inspector by the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors and API 510. He has been active in the industry and served on the AFPM Manufacturing Committee.

Erik Fleming, P.E.

CEO

Erik Fleming has over 36 years of executive and project management experience in the refining, gas plant, chemical and construction industries. His experience includes assignments in both the owner and contractor roles of these industries. This balanced perspective provides a cooperative philosophy of project execution that results in the mutual satisfaction of the parties involved.

Erik’s specialty is the cost effective execution of complex plant projects with challenging fast-track schedules and in harsh environments for projects in excess of $1B. His projects span the globe and include Russia, South America, the Middle East and Africa. He has also taught classes on modularization of refineries at the University of Texas at Austin.

Prior to founding IPM in 2007, Erik served as the Sr. Vice President for CB&I Howe Baker, responsible for the Dallas and Tyler EPC offices and fabrication facilities. Prior to CB&I Howe Baker, he served as the Vice President of Operations for Petrofac, Inc. in Tyler, Texas.

Currently IPM has a perfect safety record. “Safety is a priority at IPM,” states Fleming. “It is my responsibility to create an environment that promotes and demands safety. We value people much higher than money, so the most important thing we do as a company is send people home safe.”

Fleming earned a BS in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M in 1985, and a MS in Management from Abilene Christian University in 1988. He holds a Professional Engineering License for the State of Texas. He has contributed to construction industry initiatives and served on CII and ASCHE committees.

He is a past president of the East Texas Crisis Center for abused women and children, and is a current board member of Junior Achievement and past Chairman of the SPCA of East Texas.