This summer, HPS Product Recovery Solutions welcomed University of Nottingham student, Robbie, for a month-long work placement. Robbie is now in his final year studying Chemical Engineering and came to HPS to gain experience within the field of engineering.
Find out how Robbie got on at HPS and what he got up to in this article!
Robbie’s Internship Experience at HPS
My internship at HPS has been an invaluable opportunity to gain experience and develop my process knowledge, giving me an in-depth understanding of the highly specialised process of pigging. Throughout my time with the company, I’ve always felt encouraged to ask questions and engage with day-to-day tasks, whether that be inspecting pigs, doing research, or constructing test rigs. Every day is different at HPS, and that prospect, combined with a brilliant team and a product that speaks for itself, is what made my internship so enjoyable.
One of the most important things I learnt at HPS is the importance of adaptability. The world of processing and manufacturing fluids is dynamic by nature, so being able to “go with the flow” (excuse the pun) is essential.
On one of my first days with the company, while busy inspecting a batch of pigs, I was called over to help in assembling and wiring up a test pigging line and control box. Having never had any experience with electronics, this was a daunting task. I approached it with an open mind, and with the guidance of my colleague, was able to have it assembled and ready for testing faster than expected.
Problems rarely have one simple solution, and I quickly learned that staying motivated after being sent back to square one is essential. After assembling a test rig to monitor the wear and tear of an actuated valve under pressure, we soon realised that our pressure sensor was not working. Instead of assuming it was faulty and ordering a new one, we did some investigation and solved the problem by introducing a secondary resistor into the circuit. This was one of many examples of how out-of-the-box critical thinking is essential for solving problems quickly and effectively.
One of the highlights of my internship was being able to tag along on a site visit to a client’s factory. Having learnt a lot about pipelines and the chemicals industry at university, being able to see it with my own eyes at industrial scale was a fantastic opportunity. I really enjoyed hearing about the kinds of problems clients face and how solutions are implemented, especially seeing the massive role that site safety plays in the structure and operation of a plant.
Another task I particularly enjoyed was developing an Excel tool for calculating changes in flow parameters due to piggable valves in a line. This task initially seemed challenging, but consulting with other colleagues allowed me to refine my knowledge of our products and their design to allow me to produce a high-quality document.
HPS as a company was exceptionally warm and welcoming, making me feel at home from day one. It’s clear that everyone truly believes in and enjoys their work. Pigging itself is an incredibly innovative technology, and after my work with HPS I can confidently say that the quality of their systems is unmatched. The time and effort that goes into each project for their clients cannot be understated, and it has been a privilege to be a part of that.
Find Out More
While we can’t promise to find you a role, if you’re a student at the University of Nottingham or Nottingham Trent University and you’re interested in work placement, please don’t hesitate to get in touch! We only offer limited work placements, so please do contact us sooner rather than later!
HPS Product Recovery Solutions is the world leader in Advanced Liquid Product Recovery (Pigging) Technology for manufacturers of liquid and wet products. We work with a range of industries, including food, beverage, chemicals, paint, personal care, cosmetics, homecare, and more.
To find out more about pigging or to enquire about a work placement, please contact us.