Poppies Heading 

IN THIS ISSUE
High Energy Piping Design
RPA Employee Highlight - Brian Marshall
RPA Makes Greater Reading Top 50 List
Andy Ruth Joins RPA
Tips for Staying Cool
MESSAGE FROM RICK

 

Richard P. Aulenbach, P.E.I really enjoy this time of year.  The flowers are blooming, the golf clubs are in the car, and the grandchildren are running barefoot in the yard.  For me, it is a fun time of year.  And I want to carry that theme of fun into this quarter's message.

 

Here at RPA, we recently held our annual employee meeting.   We discussed where we are going as a company, recognized employees for exceptional performance and for hitting milestone years of service, and mixed in a bit of fun - with lots of laughter.

 

So why is fun on my mind right now?  First, it is one of our values here at RPA:  Integrity, Innovation, Quality, Fun!   We spend the majority of our waking days at our professions, so it is important for us to have fun doing what we do.  Plus, it has been proven that having fun at work increases loyalty and productivity, which has a direct, positive correlation to how we work with our clients - and what organization wouldn't want more of that! 

 

As we go through these summer months, I wish you much fun both at work and at home!

 

"Remember, life will sometimes hand you a magical moment.  Savor it."

 


Richard P. Aulenbach, P.E.
President
 
 

HIGH ENERGY PIPING DESIGN

  

Working with High Energy Piping Systems can be challenging because of the strict code requirements to ensure public safety. Whether you are designing a new system or maintaining an existing one, attention to detail is imperative.

 

Code requirements demand the evaluation of primary and secondary stress joints and compliance with very specific stress limits on each component.  When designing a high energy piping system, be sure the latest computer modeling system is used.  This will protect against extensive over design and the associated higher material and construction costs.

 

Here are some key items to consider when designing high energy piping systems.

  • Adhere to the strict code compliance and piping system integrity and safety.
  • Proactively manage piping system material and installation costs.
  • Identify the root cause of any piping and pipe support failures and equipment problems, and develop cost effective solutions.
  • Evaluate whether you can increase pressure and temperature rated capacity of existing systems to define safe operating margins on design set point variations.
  • Evaluate off design conditions to understand the safety and risk with operating point excursions.
  • Develop design modifications to eliminate piping expansion joints that can be costly and require regular maintenance.  This is especially applicable to expansion joints in limited access and confined space areas.
  • Having system failure in a high energy piping can not only impact operations, but it can cause severe damage to the facility.  If you have any indications of system malfunction or failure, immediate remediation is required.

RPA provides comprehensive design and analysis for high pressure and high temperature piping systems.  We have successfully eliminated existing expansion joints in limited access and confined space areas for both energy and process clients.  For help with all your High Energy Piping Design needs, contact Michael Sedlack at (610) 374-6144.

 
RPA EMPLOYEE HIGHLIGHT - 
BRIAN MARSHALL 

 

Brian MarshallBrian Marshall is a Project Manager for RPA's Pharmaceutical Group.  Brian began his career in the United States Marine Corps, serving for six years.  He later attended Penn State University and attained his Mechanical Engineering Degree.  He has worked for Carpenter Technology, Nippon Kokan, and United Engineering.  In 1995, Brian joined RPA Engineering.  Since beginning his career with RPA, Brian has become an integral part of our team.  He has earned several top performance awards, including RPA's Annual Integrity Award.  He is a member of the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering.  His favorite aspect of his position with RPA is the variety of projects he works on. 

 
RPA MAKES GREATER READING TOP 50 LIST FOR 5TH YEAR IN A ROW

 

 

GRCC LogoFor the 5th year in a row, RPA has made The Greater Reading Top 50 List, sponsored by The Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce & Industry and KPMG.

 

The award is based on a formula that combines two measures of revenue growth, both percentage growth and dollar growth in 2008, 2009, and 2010.

 

ANDY RUTH JOINS RPA

 

Andy Ruth Professional Photo

 

We are pleased to announce that Andy Ruth has joined the RPA Team. 

 

Andy Ruth joins RPA as a Mechanical Engineer.  He is a graduate of Drexel University with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.  Prior to joining RPA, he was employed at WorleyParsons.  Andy will be based in RPA's Wyomissing, Pennsylvania office.

 
TIPS FOR STAYING COOL THIS SUMMER

 

Keeping cool during the hot summer months, while keeping your energy costs down, can be challenging.  Below are a few tips to help this season..

 

  •  Sun in the SkyKeep the doors and windows closed.  Check windows and door frames for any hot air leaking in and seal them with caulk or weather stripping.
  • Install white mini-blinds or shutters and keep them closed when the sun is hitting the glass.  If you have curtains close them on windows that receive direct sunlight.
  • Dust and debris can accumulate on your unit.  Have your A/C serviced once a year to make sure it's running at its peak efficiency.
  • Have someone check your refrigerant charge to make sure it is charged to the correct operating pressure.
  • Make sure the evaporator coils (coil inside at air-handler/furnace) and condenser coils (part of the outdoor unit) are clean.
  • If you haven't already, install a programmable thermostat with a night set-up when not home.
  • Limit use of heat generating appliances to evening hours. Use a microwave, toaster oven, stove-top or counter top grills instead of the oven during the day. The heat produced by the oven makes the A/C work harder to cool the house.
  • Use ceiling fans or other fans to circulate air in your house.
  • Turn on the exhaust fan in your bathroom when taking a hot shower. This removes much of the humid air produced by the shower.
  • If it's still cool enough at night open your windows to vent the house. Close them up in the morning to seal in the cool air.
Join Our Mailing List