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Environmental Production
Engineer Internship

Norampac Industries Inc.

This internship occurred over the span of three summer and two winter sessions from 2013 and 2015. I was hired for this position after completing an internship in a Water Recycling Facility (WRF) at the RockTenn (now WestRock) Solvay, New York paper mill. My initial task for this internship was to establish the wastewater testing laboratory in the newly established Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) at the Norampac paper mill in Niagara Falls, New York. Afterwards, I was to train the operators on how to perform the tests and run the laboratory on their own. I created a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) manual for the operators to reference in my absence. When my managers saw the quality of my manual, they extended my internship for several more terms so that I could write these types of manuals for the entirety of the anaerobic side of the ETP at the mill. On top of SOPs for each stage of the anaerobic treatment process in the ETP, I included information on Troubleshooting issues that occurred over time with the new system (such as freezing of outdoor equipment) to assist operators in problem solving. 

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My tasks, participation, and accomplishments during this internship can be seen in the list below:

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  • Authored several Standard Operating Procedure and Troubleshooting manuals for all processes in the Norampac/Greenpac Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) using Microsoft Word and Photo-Editing Software. Manuals consisted of:

    • Laboratory sampling and testing procedures, laboratory equipment calibration and maintenanc

    • Standard Operating and Troubleshooting Procedures for:

      • Effluent water storage

      • Biological Anaerobic Treatment Syste

      • Biogas Scrubbing and Cleaning System

  • Created minor procedure sheets for various multi-step procedures in the Norampac Mill

  • Assisted the Greenpac Health and Safety Administrator in the assembling and recording of documentation concerning A-Risk (Hazardous) Factors in the Norampac Paper Mill

  • Designed Microsoft Excel spreadsheet systems for recording and organizing ETP databases

  • Trained operators and managers in the use of laboratory equipment and testing procedures

  • Researched and compiled an MSDS binder containing the compounds used in the ETP Laboratory, as well as bulk chemicals used in ETP operations

  • Facilitated the establishment of the ETP laboratory by selecting tests to be performed, purchasing and installing equipment and test kits, and organizing the flow of the workspace

  • Evaluated the work environment of the ETP and its affiliated equipment for safety in accordance with official PPE Hazard Assessment Certification. Included PPE suggestions, workplace hazards, and other recommendations to improve the safety of the workplace

  • Completed various online training seminars addressing topics such as asbestos, confined space entry and protocol, harassment, fire safety, emergency action plans, office safety, PPE, and hazard recognition/safety

  • Participated in a three-day operator training session in Becker, MN hosted by Voith Meri.

    • Covered procedures and safety protocol concerning the Anaerobic Reactor System

Meeting between several operators, managers, and consultants about the Effluent Treatment Plant as it is being ramped up.

The HACH Spectrophotometer, one of the powerhouses of the Effluent Treatment Plant Laboratory. This is one of the pieces of equipment I selected for the laboratory. It is used in nearly all chemical tests in the ETP.

Sample Page of the Table of Contents for the First SOP Manual regarding Laboratory Tests.

Sample Page of Laboratory Testing Manual. For this manual, I utilize photos of the actual equipment, screens, and process, photo editing to point out parts of the screen, and easy to follow language for the operators to understand.

Photograph of myself examining the water testing equipment. With me is the vacuum pump used for solids testing, graduated cylinders, and COD tubes.

Sample amendment page from the Anaerobic Reactor manual. Shows modifications made to the manual over time and what the modification was.

Sample page of the Anaerobic Reactor manual. This shows an actual photo of the pumps and piping system in the Effluent Treatment Plant. This showcases the use of photography, photo editing, and Microsoft Word for this manual to show operators the direction of flows and explain the photo to them in writing.

A sample page from the Anaerobic Digester manual. This shows the use of photographs of equipment and photo editing software to label the photos and provide tag numbers that are associated with equipment in the DCS system at the plant.

Sample page from the Anaerobic Digester manual. This shows screenshots of the DCS pages that the operators would be using to operate the system. Here, I've used screen capturing software and photo editing software to label different components of the DCS screen to show operators what is being discussed and where to navigate.

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Microscopic view of one of the anaerobic sludge pellets from the Anaerobic Digester. This shows the different layers within the pellets, including the gap inside where a darker, harder piece would exist. All sorts of microbes - including bacteria and archaea - cooperate to convert organic acids into methane and hydrogen sulfide.

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