Hi everyone, guess it’s about time for the latest instalment of my blog. I can’t believe that’s three weeks gone already!

This past week at Wood Group LIT I spent a lot of time learning the ins and outs of accelerometers and velocity meters, specifically piezo-electric transducers. I won’t bore you all with the specifics, but these are used in order to determine how a mechanical system is vibrating during operation. As any engineer who reads this will confirm, when a rotational machine such as a gas turbine begins to vibrate vigorously, you’ve got a big problem! Therefore it is something that must be monitored very closely. The purpose of this learning was so that I could be involved in the replicating a portable vibration sensing system which is currently operated by Wood Group's engineers whilst working in the field. After determining the requirements of the system, I was again given the chance to hone my business skills (look out my fellow Texan interns), by being involved in the procurement of the required equipment, a process which is still on-going. This was again a great opportunity as it gave me a great insight into a side of an engineer’s career which is not dealt with in great detail at university.  This week I have also been involved in writing procedures for various jobs around this facility. The two projects which I was involved most heavily with were the method for alignment of a split-shaft hot end drive turbine (does that mean anything to anyone?) and the process for calibration of the fixed base vibration transducers used in the testing facility. The importance of these procedures has been reiterated to me on many occasions over the last week. This is because, the way business is conducted within Wood Group GTS, if mistakes are made, a lot of money can be lost extremely quickly! Therefore by writing clear, concise procedures which can be followed by the technicians and engineers alike, mistakes are avoided and the efficiency of the entire facility can be improved.  Anyway, I can tell you’re all on tenterhooks, so I won’t leave you hanging anymore. What about LIT’s gas supply? I hear you ask... The energy company came by first thing Monday morning to reconnect the supply and testing should begin again on Wednesday... Sleep easy folks, crisis over!

On Tuesday this week we were also given the chance to attend the management gathering for July. This was a fantastic opportunity as it gave the six of us a chance to see how Wood Group’s management team plans to take the company forward in the future.

We’ve again had a busy week socially, surprise surprise. On Wednesday Jen, Anton and I went to Reliant stadium in Houston to see the MLS all-star team take on Manchester United. We had a great night and there was an amazing atmosphere although Man Utd dominated.  On Sunday we all went to Minute maid park to see the baseball. It was also great fun as the Houston Astros beat Milwaukee, and the frozen margaritas only added to the experience. I was absolutely blown away by both of these days out due to the sheer spectacle of both events. American’s take their sport seriously! On Saturday Anton, David and I attempted to play soccer, I mean football, in the Houston heat with some people we were introduced to by Kirsty. It was fun, although a pretty brutal experience. However on the plus side it was such a hardcore work out, I may never have to go to the gym again!

That’ll just about do it for this week. This weekend we’re planning a trip to San Antonio so next week I should have something more fun to tell you about as well as the mechanical engineering side of my experiences. I’m told I talk too much about it, never!

Scott T