Tucumcari Ethanol Plant
Tucumcari Ethanol Plant
Client: Advanced Process Solutions
Location: Tucumcari, NM
Lopez Engineering, Inc. (LEI), subcontractor to Advanced Process Solutions, designed the electrical infrastructure to serve the electrical needs of the 35,000 GSF (est) Tucumcari Ethanol Plant, located in Tucumcari, New Mexico. The client was United Stainless Process Technologies. LEI also reviewed the process controls including P&ID drawings, verified their accuracy, or modified where necessary and stamped and signed for them. Our design enabled the existing plant, which had been shut down, to become operational and expand its output from 3,000,000 gallons per day to 10,000,000 gallons per day.
LEI worked closely with Advanced Process Solutions to develop a detailed understanding of their processes, electrical needs and controls, including detailed sequences of operation and P&ID drawings. LEI became familiar with their P&ID standards. LEI reviewed the process piping drawings developed by Advanced Process Solutions and developed a comprehensive understanding of the piping documents. After drawings were reviewed, verified that they met all project process piping needs, and were deemed compliant with applicable codes, Lopez Engineering stamped and signed them for submission to the State of New Mexico for permitting.
LEI prepared calculations, including lighting, voltage drop, short circuit and overcurrent coordination studies, and prepared the electrical contract documents for the ethanol plant. Documents provided included demolition and revised electrical drawings. Drawings consisted of legend, abbreviations, general notes, 1-line diagrams – electrical, site plans, floor plans-electrical, floor plans-lighting, and floor plans-special systems, enlarged partial site plans, enlarged partial floor plans, schedules, details, control diagrams and specifications.
LEI’s electrical system design included a new 480 V, 3Ø, 3W, 3200 A, service entrance to existing industrial facility, which was comprised of a utility pad mounted transformer, a meter enclosure, and service entrance conductors. LEI upgraded (3) existing Motor Control Centers to add motors ranging from 1 horsepower to 200 horsepower. New starters were provided, along with overcurrent protection, and local start/stop control switches were added for the motor loads. New transformers and panelboards were provided to correct NEC violations. LEI further provided analysis of the industrial facility to determine NEC hazardous classifications for the various areas.