Delighted to hear this week that we have been selected to work with a manufacturer of accessories and sample preparation solutions for fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), and near-infrared (NIR) process spectroscopy.
Our new client has a global reach and we are being engaged to assist with the design and certification of new products destined for the US, UK, European and Asian markets.
Just started work on a fascinating project in the aerospace industry involving the integrity assessment of a number of air storage vessels which have operated since the late 1950's. The code of construction of the vessels was stated as AOTC on the fabrication drawings and, although we have some very old copies of ASME and BS 5500 on the shelves in the office, we had never even heard of AOTC !! It is with thanks then to the IMechE library that we have now been introduced to the document (see below).
Perfect condition, leather bound and containing all the information that a pressure vessel designer could need in 1958 !!
Excited to announce that FCL have been invited to engage with the Greener Web Challenge initiative - a collaboration between Aston Business School and the University of Nottingham.
The Greener Web Challenge website states:
'Our planet faces intensifying environmental challenges, exacerbated by the rapid expansion of internet technologies such as server hosting, cloud computing and e-waste. This initiative aims to illuminate the environmental impact of one such digital technology: websites. By taking a sector-specific approach, we have developed tailored benchmarks for specific business sectors to assess and compare their digital footprint accurately among similar businesses. A second goal is to create accessible resources to guide businesses on reducing their website’s environmental impact without compromising its quality and value'.
FCL have accepted the challenge and joined the initiative.
With the help of the resources provided we will now aim to reduce our website's carbon footprint and make our website greener.
For more information on the Greener Web Challenge initiative please click this link Greener Web.
We are pleased to announce that we have incorporated Green Technology into our website as a new Industry served by FCL.
Three new case studies will be coming soon.
Pleased to be busy on a number of fronts at the moment...
Plastics Recycling - We have been contracted to carry out front-end engineering and detailed design of mechanical equipment at the heart of innovative new facility being developed to chemically recycle plastics that would otherwise be disposed of by landfill or incineration. Our principal tasks include: mechanical design of the main process chambers operating at temperatures in excess of 800°C, mechanical design of furnace box and flue gas ducting system, mechanical design of the char removal system and preparation of general assembly, general arrangement and detailed fabrication drawings.
Petrochemicals - We have been engaged by a multinational chemicals company to provide asset integrity services including fitness-for-service assessments in support of shutdown and turnaround (TAR) activities.
Nuclear - We are finalising terms on a new contract with a long standing client to assess the structural integrity of a large population of containment cylinders used for the transportation and safe storage of uranium hexafluoride. The work is to build on a previous study and is to establish the tolerance of the cylinders to defects, the potential for defect growth over the lifetime of the cylinders, and the ability of the current inspection regime to reliably detect any defects which could prove detrimental to the integrity of the structures.
Marine - We are under contract to a leading supplier of offshore diving equipment to execute the mechanical design of a new twin lock decompression chamber. Our scope includes full mechanical design subtantiation of the chamber to the satisfaction of DNVGL and preparation of a full set of fabrication drawings to enable our client to place a build-only contract with a suitable fabricator.
Clean Energy - We are working with a global leader in the development and manufacture of ground breaking silicon based anode materials to design a pressure vessel which is to sit at the heart of a new large-scale production facility producing the silicon-graphite powder material to be used in next generation lithium-ion batteries. With the ability to control the rapid heating and cooling requirements of the vessel being an essential element of the work, the key challenge is to develop a lean, fatigue resistant vessel design able to withstand an arduous cyclic duty at pressures of up to 35 bar g and temperatures of up to 550°C.
Petrochemicals - We are designing a replacement regenerator vessel head assembly, complete with plenum and cyclones, which is to be installed as part of an upgrade to the existing fluid cataytic cracking unit at a European oil refinery.
Simon White, a Principal Consulting Engineer here at FCL, has more than 25 years experience in the design and assessment of pressurised equipment, with particular expertise in the application of finite element methods using PTC's Creo Simulate software and ANSYS. His rare combination of theoretical knowledge, critical thinking, problem solving abilities and skills as an analyst have played a key part in the successful execution of a wide range of projects.
Simon has been with FCL since 1996 and previously worked at Bechtel in London, starting as a Graduate Trainee and then as a Facilities Engineer. Whilst at Bechtel he was seconded to their Structural Integrity department, then headed by Richard Green (now FCL's Managing Director), and this laid the foundations for Simon's future career in consulting and led directly to the move to FCL.
In 2004, Simon emigrated to Argentina with his Argentine wife and settled in the city of Córdoba. The working relationship with FCL was maintained via the creation of Finglow Argentina Ltd, which operates as a subsidiary of FCL. Although remote working was a relatively novel concept back then, the arrangements established have since become commonplace and proved to be a real benefit during the COVID 19 pandemic.
Outside of work, when not manning the barbecue, Simon can often be found exploring the local hills on foot or mountain bike.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like more details of how FCL could be of assistance to your organisation. Either go to the Get in Touch page on our website or call us on 01992 585450. Alternatively, if you prefer, you can contact Simon directly by e-mail at sjsw@finglowconsultants.co.uk or via his direct line telephone number - 01992 585453.
FCL have a thorough knowledge of industry standards relating to pressurised equipment and have earned a reputation as one of the leading consultancies in the UK specialising in this area. One of the key disciplines in which the firm excels is in the application of finite element analysis methods to verify the design of components and/or to underwrite the integrity of operating plant.
Richard Green, FCL’s Managing Director, has over 30 years’ experience in the analysis, assessment and design of pressurised equipment, gained principally in the process, petrochemical and nuclear power industries.
Before joining FCL in 1995, Richard worked for both WS Atkins and Bechtel as a structural integrity specialist. His knowledge of the pressure vessel & heat exchanger design codes and his experience in applying linear and non-linear finite element stress, fracture mechanics and fatigue life assessment methods to the design and assessment of pressurised equipment across a wide range of industries could prove invaluable to your project.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like more details of how FCL could be of assistance to your organisation. Either go to the Get in Touch page on our website or call us on 01992 585450. Alternatively, if you prefer, you can contact Richard directly by e-mail at rsg@finglowconsultants.co.uk or via his direct line telephone number - 01992 585452.
Although he originally joined us on a short-term contract our Management Support Officer, Roger Bamberough, has been with FCL for two years now and has used his extensive experience in Project Management and Information Techology to support FCL's managment team on a number of in-house projects.
These have included the delivery of our new website, which was developed by Ibis Marketing Ltd and project managed by Roger, and a ground-up review of our data storage, security and back-up needs.
Outside of work Roger is an active member of Hitchin Nomads Cycling Club and can often be found cycling the roads of North Hertfordshire and beyond.
Many people in the pressurised equipment industry will know the FINGLOW name from the respected pressure vessel design software that has proved to be one of the most popular tools for the pressure vessel and heat exchanger designer over the past 40 years.
Fewer people will know about the capabilities of Finglow Consultants Ltd (FCL), who offer a comprehensive range of engineering consultancy services to those involved in design, analysis, assessment and safe operation of pressurised equipment.
FCL’s lead piping stress engineer, Ross Hartwig, is well versed in the requirements of the ASME B31.3 process piping design code and has extensive experience in using CAESAR II piping flexibility analysis software for both static and dynamic loading scenarios. He is also an advanced user of ANSYS finite element analysis software and has specific experience in the use of non-linear limit load analysis methods to predict collapse and buckling failure modes in marine structures.
Ross’ areas of expertise also cover the design and assessment of subsea flanges, particularly where the risk of hydrogen induced stress cracking (HISC) requires consideration, and the application of rules in DNVGL-RP-F112 are essential to avoid the onset of premature HISC damage.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like more details of how FCL could be of assistance to your organisation. Either go to the Get in Touch page on our website or call us on 01992 585450. Alternatively, if you prefer, you can contact Ross directly by e-mail at rgbh@finglowconsultants.co.uk or via his direct line telephone number - 01992 585451.
Congratulations to Michael Travers, our new Mechanical Engineering Intern, on successfully completing a comprehensive online training course covering the design of pressure vessels to the requirements of ASME Section VIII Division 1.
Michael joined us in September 2020 having gained a BEng with First Class Honours in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Hertfordshire.
Although COVID-19 restrictions have meant that he has been obliged to work remotely throughout his time with us, we are looking forward to welcoming Michael to the office when we fully re-open later this year.
Please use this form if you have any questions about our capabilities or would like to obtain a quotation.
Alternatively, you are welcome to call or contact us by e-mail.
+44 (0)1992 585450 enquiries@finglowconsultants.co.ukYour enquiry has been safely and securely received. Our office is open weekdays from 9am to 5pm - you can expect a response during the next 2-3 working hours.