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Recent content by lewtam

  1. lewtam

    Small Vessel/Filter Inquiry

    Thanks Georgeverghese - the system is not sensitive to a pressure drop in the usual sense, so It didn't occur to me to specify a clean dp limit. You are spot on with the minimum temperature being inherited from the adjacent piping, pure lack of imagination on my part there. The minimum limit...
  2. lewtam

    Small Vessel/Filter Inquiry

    Hi everybody - I need 2 filter housings for our dehydration system in a mid stream natural gas conditioning plant and am having trouble finding a manufacturer willing to offer. Below is a summary of what I have been asking for, is there something I am specifying that is a hassle/deal breaker or...
  3. lewtam

    How do you manage your work/task list?

    MintJulep - what about those who send you emails with the 'High Importance' red exclaimation mark? Surely you answer them straight away? :-) LewTam Inc. Petrophysicist, Leading Hand, Natural Horseman, Prickle Farmer, Crack Shot, Venerable Yogi.
  4. lewtam

    Is having degree certificate mounted on the wall tacky?

    KENAT, I recall that you had to go through a similar downsizing process described in other threads, where you picked up the checker's responsibilities on top of your original job. Now there's another round of layoffs? Maybe you should be hanging your resignation notice on the wall. LewTam...
  5. lewtam

    1045 vs. 4340

    I've seen a lot of gears and pinions in 1045 in that size range. All depends on the service - ie, is the normal failure mode wear or does it fail by spitting teeth? If it is straight wear, then 1045 and 4340 (after suitable heat treatment) are going to behave in a similar fashion. If it is...
  6. lewtam

    Cast Iron Service Temp

    A spectro test is cheaper than a lot of people think as well. If in doubt, just give an appropriate materials testing lab a sample. I've seen situations where a part was about to be replaced with a relatively standard stainless grade and the spectro test showed the original part to be monel...
  7. lewtam

    Your grades in university and where you are now

    Can someone help me out with the US grade point scale? My university (In'Straya) has a grading system from 1-7 with 3 being a pass average. I managed passes (barely) in subjects I wasn't interested in but couldn't say I benefited from the experience. My all time best for a subject - no...
  8. lewtam

    Corporate Branding

    Corporate fad = WOFTAM I like the practical use of the Elevator Statement. Does it include: 'We will strive to have an uncomfortable silence in the elevator, avoiding eye contact and social interaction no matter how familiar we are with other elevator passengers" Or does that just happen at...
  9. lewtam

    I don't want to work overtime!

    Reasons to work 50hrs+ a week: 1. I am paid a buttload of money to do it. 2. I am gaining valuable experience or am fast tracking my career so I can eventually be put in the position to receive a buttload of money. 3. I just plain love doing what the job entails. If there isn't one or more of...
  10. lewtam

    Using my personal vehicle for work...

    I dunno davidbeach, takes all kinds these days :-)
  11. lewtam

    Forecasts for the next years

    A similar situation to Australia - we've had a steady increase in population and have only recently recognised the need to upgrade infrastructure, including power generation and transmission. LewTam Inc. Petrophysicist, Leading Hand, Natural Horseman, Prickle Farmer, Crack Shot, Venerable Yogi.
  12. lewtam

    Forecasts for the next years

    Oil and gas production, mining of most commodities and power generation all look rosy for the next 5 years. Paraphrasing another eng-tips member (Zdas or ScottyUK) - it's hard to import an oil reservoir, copper seam and bulk electricity from China. (OK I know about transboarder electricity...
  13. lewtam

    Where IS Engineering Going?

    The warden in Cool Hand Luke described it well: 'What we have here is failure to communicate.' The Procurement Department lives on another planet from the Engineering Department and the Engineering Department lives on another planet from the Operations Department. The people who have to use...
  14. lewtam

    Health benefits

    Not sure of the company tax system in the US, but maybe a $1 extra spent on employee health care can be written off or claimed against tax better than a $1 extra spent on employee renumeration. Just like right now I am better off leasing a vehicle and claiming it as an opex than if I bought it...
  15. lewtam

    Cost of Living

    Senseless - let us know how it turns out. Good luck. LewTam Inc. Petrophysicist, Leading Hand, Natural Horseman, Prickle Farmer, Crack Shot, Venerable Yogi.

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