A state-of-the-art model chemical plant that will provide cutting edge training for McNeese State University engineering and technology students was unveiled today by the McNeese College of Engineering and Engineering Technology.

This model chemical plant is a facility that reproduces the most critical processes found in the chemical industry on a smaller scale and safer environment using industrial grade equipment, instrumentation and controls, according to Dr. Nikos Kiritsis, dean of the college.

McNeese is one of the few four-year universities, and the only university in the University of Louisiana System, to have a model chemical plant to train future engineers and technicians.

“This is particularly important here in Southwest Louisiana. The petrochemical industry plays a large role in our local economy,” said McNeese President Robert Hebert.

“The McNeese College of Engineering and Engineering Technology has worked closely with area industries for more than 20 years to match our education and training with industry specific needs and demands,” explained Hebert. “Preparing an industry-ready workforce for the lake area’s petrochemical plants is a high priority for McNeese.”  According to a recently released independent economic impact report, one-third of the engineers working in area industries are McNeese graduates.

The plant was designed and built by a local company, Polaris Engineering. When completed, the model plant will include the Hands On Trainer (HOT), a glycol-water distillation unit, a confined space training tower and a 30-foot climbing tower. Each of these components is expandable to accommodate additional functions, according to Kiritsis.

The first phase unveiled includes the HOT unit, the climbing tower and part of the confined space training tower. Funding for the first phase was provided through more than $300,000 in donations from several sources including the H.C. Drew Estate and the McNeese Technological Advancement for Students Committee.  Area industry support includes a donated Honeywell TDC 3000 Distributed Control System valued at $800,000 from Basell and donated furniture and simulation software for the control room from Trunkline LNG, which is valued at $100,000.

“This facility would not be possible if not for the support and donations from all of these sources,” said Kiritsis. He also thanked his faculty and staff for their support and hard work to integrate the donated and purchased equipment into the fully functional, remotely controlled model chemical plant.

Kiritsis added that the second phase, which will cost $450,000, includes the interior of the confined space training tower and the glycol-water distillation unit and will be implemented as funds become available.

All instruments on the HOT unit are currently read and the flow rates controlled by the Emerson Delta-V Distributed Control System. McNeese faculty and students are working towards an interface that will allow the HOT unit to be controlled from the Honeywell TDC 3000.

Kiritsis said the HOT unit came with a complete curriculum that includes over 120 procedures and exercises. “The procedures are formatted the same as in industry and teach students how to read, understand and execute them, as well as how to work the actual equipment on the unit,” said Kiritsis. “The exercises use a hands-on approach to teach students how all the different equipment and instrumentation functions work on the field. Having a curriculum allows us to begin utilizing the HOT unit immediately.”

He explained that the model chemical plant will give McNeese students “real world” experience in understanding and troubleshooting industrial processes, equipment and controls. “Its design allows students to take industrial components in and out of service, troubleshoot existing unit problems and give them an understanding of levels, temperature and flow control schemes.” 

Students in chemical, mechanical and electrical engineering along with students in process plant and instrumentation technology will utilize this system.

“This is a strategic advantage that we feel is critical in order to increase our graduates’ competitiveness in today’s workforce,” Kiritsis said. “The more industry-ready job candidates are at the time of hire lessens the need for on the job training and that saves industry money.”

Both the engineering and engineering technology programs are nationally accredited by ABET Inc., formerly the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology. “This means that our programs are periodically reviewed and approved based on outcomes and assessment processes by an external accreditation organization. Not only can we say that we produce quality graduates, but we also have the data to support it,” he said.

Also, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between McNeese State University and Flowserve Corporation, headquartered in Irving, Texas, to utilize McNeese facilities as a Flowserve Satellite Training Center at McNeese.

Through this agreement, McNeese will host training classes pertaining to Flowserve’s specialty products on campus, will work jointly with Flowserve to develop a post-baccalaureate certificate in pump reliability engineering for professional engineers and will assist Flowserve with the development of distance learning courses.

Signing the MOU were McNeese President Robert Hebert and Emily Cegelski, director of educational services and marketing for the Flowserve Corp.