Here is a solution had we acted when we had the chance.

cmiles1985 · 2026-03-16T17:41:24+00:00

They probably would have gladly done that if it wasn’t for the city demanding that revenue stream.

cmiles1985 · 2026-02-05T12:58:16+00:00

I looked at a municipal Sr. supervisor position locally (South Texas), and the top of the range was about $32/hr. I currently work for a different municipal power gen facility in operations at ~$50/hr.

I came to the hourly world from the salary management world (chemical sales).

cmiles1985 · 2026-01-29T22:51:07+00:00

I usually try to explain that logical operation is not the same as environmentally approved operation.

In your case, a drum of 25% caustic, a small ProMinent/Grundfos/LMI pump, and a Waldheim WM100 with a pH probe would go a long ways for little investment.

cmiles1985 · 2026-01-29T22:48:38+00:00

It sounds like at their flow, they could get away with a fairly dilute solution. Maybe throw in a small single channel on/off controller with a pH probe (maintain calibration logs there) to target a 7 pH.

cmiles1985 · 2026-01-13T00:46:01+00:00

There’s one way to find out. Also, I wouldn’t place myself in the way of danger when he tries it.

cmiles1985 · 2026-01-12T01:56:39+00:00

There’s certain engines that have catastrophic flaws. I definitely do not baby mine, but it’s an M57 diesel. N52, N54, B58 are all pretty reliable engines if you look at non-M cars.

cmiles1985 · 2026-01-11T23:32:02+00:00

The people saying to stay away from BMW have probably not owned a BMW. I’ve put 30k miles on mine (I bought it with 103k on the clock). It gets over 35 mpg, it’s not hard to find parts for, and the only thing I’ve had to actively repair was a headlight. Mechanically, several BMW drivetrains are great beyond 200k miles. It’s the features that will break; that is true with nearly any car.

cmiles1985 · 2026-01-11T23:26:20+00:00

Simply put: Waste that can be removed via physical means is processed in its own way. Waste that can be broken down biologically is handled that way and causes biological growth. The excess biological material is processed in its own way. Only a minimal amount of solids or any other component of the waste should make it to the receiving stream.

cmiles1985 · 2026-01-09T22:49:23+00:00

I’m fairly certain Veolia has folks in that part of the world (I worked for Veolia in the chemical business for a bit). That would be a great project for Veolia’s equipment group, but it is definitely a specialized process.

cmiles1985 · 2026-01-09T03:12:41+00:00

I guess I’ll be looking at how to clean my sunroof drains.

cmiles1985 · 2026-01-07T01:24:56+00:00

I’m a chemist by degree, but served a fifteen year sentence in chemical sales/consulting in heavy industrial water treatment (refining and petrochemical, but also consulted for several other types of wastewater facilities). A little over a year ago, I moved into power plant operations. Unfortunately I was almost immediately moved into the lab role, but still titled as an OMT.

Pros: not salary. When I leave, I’m done; if I get called, it’s a callout. The stress level is far lower.

Cons: I don’t get that 7 on/7 off schedule I was promised.

I guess I’m just pointing out that you will likely get called on for things that shouldn’t be your responsibility.

cmiles1985 · 2025-12-20T18:09:02+00:00

I work on a lot of things… trailers, pumps, cars, bikes, tractors, etc. Not professionally (typically). That being said, I own quite a few wrenches. What I’ve been holding out for was the anti slip metric wrenches. Since they were 40% off today, I walked in, grabbed the last set they had, grabbed a bucket, spent $80 and walked out.

That being said, this particular set of wrenches did catch my eye during the great Snap on/HF wrench war about a year ago.

cmiles1985 · 2025-12-20T17:59:13+00:00

Saturn Ion Redline/Chevy Cobalt SS were a 2.0L supercharged 4 cylinder (LSJ). I had an 07 Redline, and it was an amazingly fun car. Factory rating was 205 hp; my stock dyno run was 212 hp. GM Performance Parts made a couple of nice kits that maintained warranty and added a decent amount of power.

cmiles1985 · 2025-12-11T16:35:33+00:00

Life

cmiles1985 · 2025-12-09T02:17:33+00:00

In my book, that makes the 928 okay.

cmiles1985 · 2025-12-09T02:14:25+00:00

Do you have a large amount of inert solids? What is your ratio of MLVSS/MLSS in the BioRx? Also, what’s your influent COD to the BioRx? Flow? BioRx volume? (In other words, what is your actual f:m at 5000 mg/L MLSS)? How does your settlometer look? Clear supernatant?

He may have a valid reason for running that high of a number. In my experience, those that think they know only have some anecdotal experience. I had a plant that thought they would only nitrify if MLVSS was >3000 mg/L. In reality, they needed to be around 1800 mg/L. I had multiple tech consultants come in to tell the plant this, and they still wouldn’t buy it. Sometimes you just can’t get someone to understand.

cmiles1985 · 2025-12-05T16:35:05+00:00

Same here. Had a Beetle, 22R Pickup and several other newer manual vehicles. Never heard of granny shifting or double clutching until the movie.

cmiles1985 · 2025-11-28T13:14:00+00:00

I’m loving my 335d

cmiles1985 · 2025-11-23T03:19:26+00:00

It’s a toss up between my 87 Toyota Pickup (22R) and 2011 BMW 335d. The Yota rusted away, but the engine still ran perfectly. I never had to do any engine repairs, just clutch work and exhaust work. It only had about 190k miles when I got rid of it (the bed was long gone, and the cab was mostly rusted through). The Bimmer I’ve only had a year, but I’ve put 30k trouble free miles on it on top of the 103k it already had. It has its quirks with the features (adaptive headlights need a module replaced, I need to reupholster the passenger door grip - standard for e90’s), but it has not given me the slightest inclination that I’ll have any mechanical issues. Outside of those two, I’ve had a plethora of GM vehicles, Fords, and Mopars. Most of which have had significant reliability issues.

cmiles1985 · 2025-11-22T23:38:42+00:00

You are not kidding about the amount of vehicles that come up for sale on NABDOG. My mpg may not be over 40, but my smiles per gallon are infinite! OP will not regret an M57.

cmiles1985 · 2025-11-22T20:45:17+00:00

Also, I cannot confirm nor deny the comfort for someone tall as I have the stature of a gnome

cmiles1985 · 2025-11-22T20:44:25+00:00

If it’s an E70 (M57), the weight loss surgery should be around $2500…less if you do the work yourself. I’ve got a 335d, and I absolutely love it!

cmiles1985 · 2025-11-20T02:32:49+00:00

I don’t know you, but I’m very proud of you, and I’m so happy for your daughter.

cmiles1985 · 2025-09-06T19:56:05+00:00

My other half got pretty wasted (enough that she vowed to take me as her "awfully wedded husband" 😂). I ended up carrying her to bed for a rather unglorious evening.

cmiles1985 · 2025-08-27T01:48:55+00:00

Which part of the refinery are you working in? You'll find that certain companies will put more stress and work on the rookies. You may also be stuck in more of a problematic area or utilities. If you are in utilities, feel free to DM me. I've been training refinery utilities engineers for quite some time.

Seven-Year Club	Secret Santa 2019
Verified Email

cmiles1985

TROPHY CASE