Nick’s specialty lies in the sizing, selection, and design of pressure relief systems. He actively contributes to the API 520, 521, 522, and 2000 committees and participates in the API subcommittee on pressure relieving systems. Nick is also involved with AIChE’s Design Institute for Emergency Relieving Systems (DIERS) work group and serves as an instructor for the API-U preferred pressure relieving systems course.
Nick has led and supported numerous pressure relief projects, including system revalidations and tank venting analyses. He has taken on roles such as project manager, supporting engineer, and technical lead, ensuring compliance with PSM legislation, API standards, ASME code, DIERS publications, and EPA regulations. His expertise extends to extensive tank vent sizing and emissions calculations using both API and EPA documents.
With a wealth of experience in risk-based inspection assessments of pressure relieving devices, Nick has successfully led several assessments, identifying high-risk PRDs due for early inspection and lower-risk PRDs with intervals that can be extended.
Nick is proficient in using and creating HYSYS® process simulations for heat and material balance, process optimization, and troubleshooting, as well as for PRD sizing and revalidation. He has utilized HTRI’s Xchanger Suite® to develop heat exchanger vibration models, contributing to heat exchanger tube rupture credibility assessments (TRCAs) per API 521.
At Equity Engineering, Nick is responsible for several Engineering Practices, including the insulation and fireproofing standards. He has revalidated these standards to ensure they align with the latest industry best practices and technological advancements.
During his undergraduate studies at Cleveland State University, Nick worked as a Research Assistant with the reactor design team, focusing on the low-temperature catalytic gasification of household waste. He has successfully applied this knowledge in his work at Equity Engineering.
