Chemicals and Refining

Enhancing Processes. Ensuring Excellence.

At EPS, we offer comprehensive expert engineering and consulting services tailored to the chemicals and refining industry. With our deep technical expertise and extensive experience, we help clients navigate the complexities of the chemical and refining technologies, economics, regulations, and business appraisals to achieve their strategic objectives.

chemical plant processing

Process Engineering and Optimization

Maximize your operational efficiency and product quality with our expert process engineering services.

    • Conceptual and Detailed Design: Creating efficient and scalable process designs for new and existing facilities.

    • Simulation and Modeling: Utilizing advanced software to model processes and predict performance.

    • Scale-Up and Technology Transfer: Assisting in scaling laboratory processes to commercial production.

    • Debottlenecking: Identifying and eliminating constraints to increase throughput.

    • Yield Improvement: Enhancing product yields through process adjustments.

    • Energy Efficiency: Reducing energy consumption and costs through optimization.

    • Automation Integration: Implementing control systems for precise process management.

    • Process Monitoring and Diagnostics: Real-time monitoring to detect anomalies and prevent issues.

    • Data Analytics: Leveraging data to drive process improvements.

refinery engineering services

Oil Refinery Engineering Services

Enhance refinery performance, safety, and profitability with our specialized services.

    • Distillation Systems: Design, optimization, and troubleshooting of distillation columns.

    • Hydroprocessing Units: Improving efficiency in hydrotreating and hydrocracking processes.

    • Catalytic Processes: Expertise in catalytic reforming, FCC units, and other catalytic operations.

    • Maintenance Strategies: Developing effective maintenance and inspection plans.

    • Project Management: Coordinating turnaround activities to minimize downtime.

    • Safety Compliance: Ensuring all activities meet safety regulations and best practices.

    • Emission Control Technologies: Implementing systems to reduce SOx, NOx, VOCs, and particulate emissions.

    • Wastewater Treatment: Designing and optimizing treatment processes to meet discharge standards.

    • Regulatory Compliance Support: Navigating EPA and other environmental regulations.

chemical plant services

Commodity, specialty, and fine chemical Plant Services

Optimize your chemical production facilities for improved performance and compliance.

    • Process Selection and Design: Choosing the optimal process type for your products.

    • Reaction Engineering: Designing reactors for optimal conversion and selectivity.

    • Separation Technologies: Implementing efficient separation processes like distillation, extraction, and crystallization.

    • Process Hazard Analysis (PHA): Identifying and mitigating potential risks.

    • Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS): Designing systems to prevent accidents.

    • Compliance with OSHA PSM and EPA RMP: Ensuring adherence to safety regulations.

    • Protection and Risk Assessment: Comprehensive strategies for facility and personnel safety.

    • Quality Control Systems: Implementing robust QC procedures and systems.

    • Statistical Process Control (SPC): Monitoring processes to maintain product consistency.

    • Formulation and Scale-Up Support: Assisting in developing and scaling new products.

Why Choose EPS for Chemicals and Refining?

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Technical Excellence and Industry Experience

Our team brings decades of experience and in-depth knowledge of the chemicals and refining industry.

  • Multidisciplinary Expertise: Chemical, mechanical, process, and environmental engineering.

  • Certified Professionals: Licensed engineers and industry-recognized experts.

  • Advanced Technologies: Proficiency with the latest tools, simulation software, and analytical methods.

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Customized Solutions for Complex Challenges

We understand that each facility and process is unique. Our services are tailored to your specific needs.

  • Client-Centered Approach: Working closely with you to understand your goals and challenges.

  • Innovative Solutions: Applying creative thinking to solve complex process issues.

  • Strategic Insights: Providing actionable recommendations for operational excellence.

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Proven Track Record of Success

EPS has a history of delivering successful outcomes for clients in the chemicals and refining sectors.

  • Extensive Project Experience: From small-scale optimizations to large capital projects.

  • Satisfied Clients: Testimonials highlighting our effectiveness and professionalism.

  • Industry Recognition: Trusted by leading chemical and refining companies globally.

  • catastrophic explosion in Superior, Wisconsin

    Oil Refinery Explosion, Chemical Release, and Root Cause Analysis

    Challenge: A major oil refinery experienced a catastrophic explosion in Superior, Wisconsin, resulting in extensive property damage, injuries to over 70 workers, and the evacuation of 27,000 residents due to a release of hazardous chemicals into the community.

    Solution: EPS conducted an insightful forensic investigation accurately, determining the root causes of the equipment failures, operational procedures, safety procedure failures, generation of blast waves, and the release of hazardous chemicals.

    Result: EPS's investigation and testimony provided prevailing testimony for four lawsuits, including a class action for the community and three workplace injury lawsuits for contract workers.

  • distinguishing typical from atypical expenses

    First-of-a-Kind (FOAK) IsoAlky Retrofit Project Appraisal Challenge

    Challenge: A global energy firm faced significant discrepancies in the valuation of their first-of-a-kind IsoAlky Retrofit Project by a taxing authority, which did not account for atypical costs associated with the pioneering energy technology.

    Solution: EPS conducted a detailed technical assessment and financial appraisal of the first-of-a-kind technology, distinguishing typical from atypical expenses in the $560 million construction, and applied fair market value principles to establish the correct valuation.

    Result: EPS’s analysis demonstrated the proper taxable value of the construction work in progress (CWIP), significantly reducing the client's ad valorem assessment by correcting the inflated valuation initially set by the taxing authority.

“John Williams is an expert in the field. He not only renovated the business, but he changed the flow of the product for the company in terms of minimizing distances from raw materials to production to warehousing to shipping. Nobody within the company was thinking that way.”

— Ron Halik, International, Bioprocessing and Chemicals, Corporation

“EPS has for more than 20 years effectively provided mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, civil, and structural engineering, as well as project development and construction management, to increase our manufacturing site's competitiveness. The cost of EPS engineering is well justified in setting direction and providing project savings.”

— John McKinley, Plant Manager, US Petrochemical Producer

“They can help with project research and analysis, providing clients with options and how they stack up against one another — equipment-wise and energy use-wise — and help conclude which option is best.”

— Pat Simms, Global VP, Renewable Chemicals and Biofuels Developer

Industries
We Serve

  • Petrochemicals

  • Fine Chemicals

  • Specialty Chemicals

  • Pharmaceuticals

  • Agrochemicals

  • Polymers and Plastics

  • Bulk Inorganic Chemicals

  • Bio-based Chemicals

Our Services
Include

    • Process Design and Simulation

    • Debottlenecking and Capacity Increase

    • Energy Efficiency Improvements

    • Unit Operations Design and Optimization

    • Turnaround Planning and Execution

    • Catalyst Selection and Management

    • Emission Control and Reduction Strategies

    • Wastewater Treatment and Management

    • Regulatory Compliance Assistance

    • Process Hazard Analysis (PHA)

    • Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS) Design

    • OSHA PSM and EPA RMP Compliance

    • Feasibility Studies and Front-End Engineering Design (FEED)

    • Engineering, Procurement, and Construction Management

    • Commissioning and Start-Up Support

    • Customized Training Programs

    • Workshops and Seminars on Industry Topics

    • Operator and Maintenance Staff Training

About Dr. John A. Williams

A Leader in Chemicals and Refining Engineering

Dr. John A. Williams, PE, ASA, MBA, CFEI, AIChE Fellow, is the founder and General Manager of EPS. With over 40 years of operations, engineering, and construction experience, Dr. Williams is a recognized expert in the engineering analysis and financial appraisal of energy, power, and manufacturing technologies.

Dr. Williams has a distinguished career, including roles in process development, scale-up operations, and manufacturing. He has authored numerous publications and has been a featured lecturer for the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

    • Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA) by the American Society of Appraisers in Machinery & Technical Specialties: Energy, Environmental, and Manufacturing Technologies.

    • Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI) by the National Association of Fire Investigators.

    • Fellow of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE Fellow).

    • PhD in Chemical and Fuels Engineering from the University of Utah

    • MBA in Finance from the University of Chicago

    • BS in Chemistry from the University of Delaware

    • Licensed Professional Engineer in over 20 states