Scope
Schedule
3 Months
Location
Wisconsin
Estimated Cost
$115K
Client
Oil Refinery
Project Overview
A Midwest refinery needed to expand its railcar asphalt loading capacity while ensuring system reliability, electrical safety, and seamless integration with existing infrastructure. The project required a clear understanding of power system limitations, the ability to accommodate new 250 HP loading pumps, and confidence that upcoming changes would not create costly disruptions or hidden risks. To support these goals, LSC delivered a front‑end engineering design (FEED) study, followed by electrical and mechanical design for the installation of two 250 HP loading pumps and the associated piping header modifications. This work provided the refinery with a scalable, well‑validated path forward for increasing operational capacity.
Deliverables:
- Project Management
- Site Visit
- Mechanical Engineering
- Structural Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Instrumentation & Controls
- Class IV Estimate
Project Team
Chris Shaw
Senior Project Manager
David Schlumberger
Electrical Engineering Manager
Power System Insights That Reduced Risk and Prevented Costly Surprises
As part of the FEED effort, LSC conducted an in‑depth assessment of more than 20 motor control centers. This early diagnostic work gave the refinery clarity and confidence in their expansion strategy. By validating bus ampacity and confirming compliance with electrical codes and standards, the team ensured the facility could integrate new VFD feeders without disruption. This proactive approach minimized risk, protected system reliability, and established a strong technical foundation for the project’s next phase.
Engineering Solutions That Improved Performance and Strengthened Reliability
To support long‑term maintainability and performance, LSC’s engineering team developed a suite of high‑value design solutions, including:
- 250 HP VFD schematics and power feeder designs to enable efficient, dependable pump operation
- ETAP power system models confirming load flow, grid stability, and readiness for expansion
- Ampacity and voltage‑drop validations to ensure cable systems would perform under real‑world conditions
- Breaker settings and seamless integration with the refinery’s existing zone‑selective interlocking system
Together, these deliverables improved system reliability, streamlined commissioning, and supported safer, more predictable operations throughout the project.