MECHANICAL

MEC mechanical engineers have broad experience in the evaluation, selection, and specification of pumps, compressors, blowers and other mechanical components, for application in a wide variety of pharmaceutical, petroleum and chemical processing plants. They receive close support from selected engineering specialists, who keep abreast of the latest equipment technology.

ELECTRICAL

Our electrical engineering staff is experienced in the design of systems for power generation, transmission, and use of electrical power in petroleum refineries, chemical plants, large machine shops, and pharmaceutical installations. In the course of our engineering projects, MEC electrical design work has involved not only normal power and lighting requirements, but also the initial development and engineering of unique systems of automatic control segment starting, and involved interlocking and safety shutdowns.

CIVIL & STRUCTURAL

MEC performs civil and structural design on turnkey assignments, revamps, and retrofits. We have developed designs that meet a wide variety of special conditions. We have designed buildings and structures serving many purposes, e.g., process, storage, utilities, support, maintenance, and administration. Our background in this area ranges from the design of "brick and mortar" type of facilities to massive foundations, heavy industrial units, high structures, and a variety of installations incorporating complex structural characteristics.

ARCHITECTURE

Our architectural group brings to assignments a unified, coordinated; interdisciplinary approach to the total architectural, structural, and engineering needs of the facilities, so that aesthetic, functional and special client requirements may be adequately served. This staff routinely handless-if necessary, with pre-selected partner-all architectural aspects of both large and small, singular and multi-purpose facilities. These include necessary programming and functional features: exterior design consonant with both adjacent existing structures and natural surroundings; interior design providing a safe and comfortable environment for human occupancy, both physically and psychologically; graphics integrated as part of interiors and simultaneously synchronized and codified as necessary for the activities and movement of both people and materials; and artistic rendering in all color media.

ENGINEERING & DESIGN

MEC organize and performs project work by carefully assembling project teams made up of personnel selected on the basis of the needs of each project. The discipline specialists assigned to the project are drawn from discipline groups each managed by a discipline lead engineer. This system ensures that all of our professionals remain fully current in their skills, and that a systems of checks and balances in place to ensure the quality of the deliverables. Partnering agreements are utilized to enhance and augment the technical and managerial capabilities of our staff. A brief overview of the various discipline groups is provided below.

SITE DEVELOPMENT

MEC receives the support of a complete range of site development and civil/geotechnical engineers with expertise in high profile projects. Our specialists perform basic evaluation, develop sites optimization and undertake economic studies.

Key members of the MEC site development engineering and design staff have over ten years of experience. This group works in a task force environment, and efficiently executes all engineering tasks (from conceptual design through detailed engineering) for all projects. All members of this group are knowledgeable in established engineering methods and procedures.

Development of site development may include master plans, earthwork calculations, geotechnical explorations and recommendations, site drainage, geometric design, pavements, traffic control systems, parking systems, and architectural landscaping.

PIPING

MEC has wide experience in the design and installation of piping systems to operate at high temperatures and over a wide range of pressures. In many of these systems a prime consideration has been resistance to chemical attack. Such conditions have gained us experience in the design of special flanged joint features and the selection of appropriate high strength alloy piping materials. We use computers in piping design, not only in the area of pipe stress calculations but also for the purpose of preparation of isometrics, material control in estimating, purchasing, and field construction.

INSTRUMENTATION & CONTROL SYSTEMS

MEC personnel have designed and installed pneumatic and electronic instrument control systems for virtually every industry in Puerto Rico. Our design has utilized the equipment of most equipment manufacturers.The systems were designed using the classical 3-15 psig pneumatic equipment and the 4-20 milliamp or 1-5 volt electronic equipment. Our instrumentation engineers have designed and implemented microprocessor and computer-based automated control systems using the latest hardware for both batch and continuous control. In recent years, there has been a greater emphasis on operator interface, plant optimization, historical trend data, data acquisition, supervisory control and customized reports for operations as well as inventory control.

UTILITIES ENGINEERING

Our staff has performed complete engineering, procurement, construction and construction management services for a wide variety of process facilities. These includes projects on which MEC engineered and provided construction management to the entire facility, as well as assignments on which we were responsible for all offsite utilities associated with the main process areas of the project.

The general services provided are:

  • Electrical systems involving main substations, voltage transformation and in-plant distribution
  • Cooling water and well water
  • Air compression and distribution systems for instrument and plant Water treatment systems for demineralization, softening and dealkylation.
  • Heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems-air handling and filtration
  • Complete facilities for offices, laboratories, maintenance shops, cafeterias, locker rooms for plant personnel and gatehouses for plant
  • Fire protection systems including wet and dry pipe sprinklers, deluge systems, and low and high expansion foam
  • Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) storage and distribution systems,
  • Warehousing and storage facilities including tank farms and underground storage

HEATING, VENTILATION & AIR CONDITIONING

MEC has designed, engineered and installed heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems for various buildings and industrial process plants. Many of these projects required innovative solutions to unusual HVAC problems created by financial and planning requirements, preservation concerns, special process criteria, area ventilation requirements, dust and particulate loading, severe climatic conditions and heat or vapors from various commercial products.

Typical of our work in this area is the design and engineering of sophisticated air handling and filtration systems involving:

  • Sensitive process requirements for air movement and/or humidity Hazardous materials in research and development facilities.
  • Dust collection, air purification and environmental control systems involving fume removal, air purification and gas

In the design of these systems, including the mechanical dehumidifiers, back-flow preventers, differential pressures and high efficiency and HEPA filter systems much work has been done in the development of new methods of air, handling and pressure control through the use of automatic and manual device.

FIRE PROTECTION ENGINEERING & DESIGN

MEC staff has designed; engineered, and installed fire protection systems as a routine part of almost every project undertaken. Our background includes numerous systems and combinations of systems confirming to local regulations and insurance company standards, including:

  • Halon 1301 Total Flooding Systems Carbon Dioxide Total Flooding Systems Foam-Water Sprinkler Systems
  • Foam Bulk Storage Facilities Water Spray, Deluge Systems
  • Hydraulically Calculated Sprinkler Systems Wet, Dry Pipe Sprinkler Systems
  • Alarms
  • Water Supply Systems

Fire protection design at MEC is performed by full-time engineers who are experienced in fire protection and explosion suppression systems for use in any application. Our engineers are familiar with current fire protection standards and currently available equipment. In addition, MEC has available several computerized programs for fire protection system design, including hydraulic calculations.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

The project manager has overall management responsibility for an assigned engineering project, performing the following functions:

  • Organize and direct the project team by means of project engineering
  • Review manpower forecasts-the most effective manpower strength is then maintained through timely allocation of
  • Approve all engineering and design specifications and drawings, purchases and subcontract
  • Maintain direct contact with the client representative assigned to the
  • Monitor the effective control of project cost and schedule through cost analysis and planning

The quality of work being performed is the joint responsibility of the project manager and the Company principals. The project management team resolves problems in schedule, cost, or quality with decisions made to maintain or enhance the project progression. The size of our organization, and the partners' involvement in the day-to-day activities of the project, allows for quick response in decision making to ensure that client needs are satisfied.

For larger projects, where the control of budget, schedule, procurement and client relation's issues is extensive, a project-engineering manager is assigned to assist the project manager. The project-engineering manager coordinates the technical flow of information within the project and supports the project manager in the overall administration of the project. In some cases, should the project requirements so dictate, the project engineering manager serves a dual function. For example, in addition to his typical duties, the project-engineering manager may have responsibility for the utilities area. Our project-engineering managers, by virtue of the task force concept, have essentially the same scopes and range of project experience as the project managers.