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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
Representative Engagements
A selection of EPS engagements across engineering, forensics, and valuation.
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 accurate, insightful forensic investigation, determining the root causes of the equipment failures, operational and safety-procedure failures, blast-wave generation, and the release of hazardous chemicals.
Result
EPS’s investigation and testimony contributed to favorable outcomes in four lawsuits, including a class action for the community and three workplace injury lawsuits for contract workers.
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.
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What Clients Say
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
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Industries We Serve
Petrochemicals
Fine Chemicals
Specialty Chemicals
Pharmaceuticals
Agrochemicals
Polymers and Plastics
Bulk Inorganic Chemicals
Bio-based Chemicals
Our Services Include
Process Engineering and Optimization
Process Design and Simulation
Debottlenecking and Capacity Increase
Energy Efficiency Improvements
Refinery Engineering Services
Unit Operations Design and Optimization
Turnaround Planning and Execution
Catalyst Selection and Management
Environmental Compliance and Sustainability
Emission Control and Reduction Strategies
Wastewater Treatment and Management
Regulatory Compliance Assistance
Safety and Risk Management
Process Hazard Analysis (PHA)
Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS) Design
OSHA PSM and EPA RMP Compliance
Project Management and EPCM
Feasibility Studies and Front-End Engineering Design (FEED)
Engineering, Procurement, and Construction Management
Commissioning and Start-Up Support
Training and Development
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.
Credentials
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
