In this presentation delivered to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Michael D. Klein, P.E., CHMM, discusses fracking, with a focus on methods, regulations, and environmental impacts.…
Michael is a Civil Engineer (MSCE) with over 25 years of experience in the design, planning, and delivery of high-value projects for both the government and private sector. He combines his engineering and science background with considerable experience in manufacturing processes and facilities in his approach to environmental problems.
Michael has operated water, waste water, and industrial treatment systems and has conducted and directed environmental investigations and hazardous waste remediation per the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Superfund requirements. This experience in the management of hazardous materials was performed under the regulatory framework as administered by the Department of Energy (DOE), EPA, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Department of Transportation (DOT).
Michael's project experience includes technical studies, system design, software development, and capital construction. His project management expertise lies in the areas of project planning, communication, critical path method (CPM) scheduling, productivity evaluation using earned value management, technical document development, claim preparation and evaluation, dispute resolution, contract administration, and cost analysis.
He has specific expertise in the treatment and distribution of water to meet the requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), laboratory testing services and data validation. His extensive chemical hazardous waste consulting includes hazardous waste source reduction, hazardous waste treatment and disposal, waste recovery and reuse, facility permitting, and RCRA compliance requirements. Further specialties are hazards analysis, failure mode and effects analysis, operator training programs, and troubleshooting of existing water and waste water treatment plants.
Michael is a Professional Engineer (P.E.) registered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering & Surveying (NCEES), licensed in more than fifteen states and the District of Columbia. He is accredited by the Council of Engineering and Scientific Specialty Boards as a Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM). He is also recognized as a qualified fire and explosion investigator and has been certified by the National Association of Fire Investigators as a Certified Fire & Explosion Investigator (CFEI).
Michael holds degrees in both Ocean Engineering (B.E.) and Civil Engineering (M.S.).
Michael is a Professional Engineer, a Certified Hazardous Material Manager and a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator with 25 years of experience in the design, planning, and delivery of high-value projects for the government and private sectors. His experience includes the operation and supervision of waste treatment systems for vapor, water, waste water, and industrial high hazard waste streams. He has conducted environmental investigations and hazardous waste remediation per the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Superfund requirements. His experience managing hazardous materials includes Department of Energy (DOE), EPA, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and Department of Transportation (DOT) requirements.
Michael’s project management experience includes technical studies, system design, capital construction, and software development in industrial manufacturing and DOE nuclear facilities. He has particular expertise in the treatment and distribution of water to meet the requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), laboratory analytical testing services, and data validation. His extensive chemical hazardous waste consulting includes hazardous waste source reduction, hazardous waste treatment, radioactive waste treatment, waste recovery, work place safety, facility decontamination, decommissioning and demolition, wastewater recycling, operator training programs, and troubleshooting water, waste water and industrial waste treatment plants.
Areas of expertise include:
Manufacturing Processes: General machining, metal forming, foundry operations, welding, tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding, metal inert gas (MIG) welding, brazing, grinding, soldering, oxyacetylene cutting, hot isostatic pressing, aligning, shrink fitting, slitting, blending, drying, dry solids handling, slurry handling, liquid handling, paint preparation, painting.
Material Handling Processes: Forklift trucks, fork lift handlers including pallet, container and drum handlers, pallet jacks, hand trucks, carts and lifting devices.
Manufacturing Procedures, Standards and Specifications: Pressure vessels, power piping, pipe welding, structural welding, international steel specifications, sanitary manufacturing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, drawing standards, Material Requirements Planning (MRP) and hazardous area requirements.
Testing Methods, Data Evaluation, and Specifications: Hydrostatic testing, static and high speed dynamic balancing, acceptance sampling, data quality assessment, analytical laboratory quality assurance/control, material testing, mechanical and digital measurement inspection systems, and thermal mapping.
Engineered Systems: Steam, condensate, feed water, liquid fuel systems, natural gas, chemical feed systems, process water, waste water treatment, potable water production, deionized and ultra pure water production, automated liquids bottling, ammonia and freon refrigeration systems fire protection, hydraulic power, pneumatic power, pneumatic control, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, clean room, vacuum, subsurface depressurization systems, inert gas systems, liquid fuel systems, Underground Storage Tanks (USTs), fuel delivery systems, dispensers, Automatic Tank Gauge (ATG) systems, fuel inventory, vapor recovery, shear valves, poppet valves, leak detection systems ,natural gas, Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) and High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filtration systems.
Machinery: Diesel engines, high-speed centrifuges, cable winches, pumps, drive gears, clutches, compressors, distillers, heat exchangers, chillers, cooling towers, air handlers, valves, boilers, turbines, jib cranes, monorail cranes and hoists, overhead bridge cranes, milling machines, lathes, presses, segmented gamma scanners, high-energy particle calorimeters, screw conveyors, belt conveyors, roller conveyors, chain conveyors, spreader beams, lifting and rigging gear, material shedders, and hammer mill grinders
Machinery Safeguarding: Identification of hazardous actions and motions of machinery, safety interlocks, drive guards, operational guards, pinch point guards, failsafe modes, caution and warning signs, operating and instruction manuals.
Safety: Environmental Management Systems, material safety data sheets, right-to-know, permit required confined space entry, hot work, electrical hazards and energy control (lockout/tagout), training requirements, policies and procedures, inspections, OSHA requirements, nuclear materials management, radiological protection, hazardous material handling/labeling/use/storage/disposal; packaging and shipment of biological(s) utilizing cryogenic dry shipper, proper selection, use, training and maintenance of personal protective equipment. (e.g., head, eye, hearing, respirators, hands and feet, etc.), Management of Change (MOC); What-If; Checklist; Hazard and Operability Study (HAZOP); Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA); and Fault Tree Analysis; Activity Hazard Analysis (AHA); Job Safety Analysis (JSA); and Job Hazard Analysis (JHA).
Tools: Reciprocating electric hammers, rotary electric drills, and material mixers.
Facilities and Plant Engineering: Facility systems design, installation, startup, maintenance, calibration and return to service of industrial systems, included but not limited to electrical, mechanical, plumbing, compressed air, Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning, humidification, domestic hot water, ammonia and freon refrigeration, roofing, walls & floors, doors & windows, overhead doors, lighting, energy management, warehousing, dock systems, hoists & cranes, conveyor systems, maintenance management, environmental management of solid and hazardous waste streams, Asbestos Containing Material (ACM), building/facility inspection and management, recycling equipment, fire protection, code and regulatory requirements.
Regulatory Compliance: Clean Water Act permitting, Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA or Superfund), Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Permitting, RCRA closure, land recycling programs, air quality permitting, packaging and labeling requirements for transport of biological substances and hazardous materials per 49 CFR – Transportation, Parts 100 to 185.
Environmental Engineering: Hazardous waste source reduction, hazardous waste treatment, waste recovery, waste minimization, and wastewater recycling. Determination of nature, extent and cause of contamination from smoke, fire and chemical releases, remediation methods for contaminants.
Water Resources: Wastewater pretreatment, wastewater treatment facility design, wastewater treatment equipment, wastewater collection equipment, waste auditing, effluent monitoring, water statue, wastewater statue, drinking water treatment, drinking water disinfection, drinking water treatment equipment, water storage and distribution.
Management Systems and Standards: Quality and material control systems, resource loaded PRIMAVERA P5, P6 and Microsoft Project schedule development, ANSI/EIA-748 earned value management systems, cost and schedule performance evaluation utilizing Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT), Critical Path Method (CPM) and productivity delay claims analysis using the Measured Mile methodology
Associate
2009 to presentProvide technical investigations, analysis, reports and testimony toward the resolution of commercial and personal injury litigation involving facility systems, building and grounds, plant engineering, work place safety, and maintenance. Further expertise includes root cause analysis, failure analysis, hazardous materials management, fire and explosion, calibration of and performance of building systems, environmental compliance, waste treatment, safe drinking water data evaluation, laboratory analysis methods, and safety issues related thereto.
Cost and Schedule Analyst
2005 to 2010Technical consultant performing project management, cost and risk estimating, analysis, and project control activities. Team member for design and selection of a high hazard machining center and foundry used in the manufacture of nuclear weapon system components. Performed construction management and the start-up of the Chemistry and Metallurgy Research Replacement (CMRR) utility, laboratory and office buildings at the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL).
Portfolio management of project schedules and budgets, identifying issues that impact project completion and budgets. Interfaced between the construction contractor, owner, and site construction manager with schedule-related services which include:
Project Manager
2004 to 2005Technical consultant for the preparation of Unreviewed Safety Question Determinations (USQD), evaluated if the proposed change increased the probability and consequence of an accident previously evaluated in the facility's existing safety analysis. Performed evaluations of proposed changes increasing the probability and consequence of a malfunction of equipment important to safety previously described in the facility's existing safety analysis. Performed evaluations of proposed changes in creating the probability of an accident of a different type than any previously evaluated in the facility's existing safety analysis. Performed evaluations of proposed changes creating the probability of a malfunction of equipment important to safety of a different type than any previously evaluated in the facility's existing safety analysis. Evaluated the proposed change and impacts to the reduction of the margin of safety.
Performed annual updates to the Department of Energy (DOE) Pantex Regional Office in accordance with the Implementation Guide for Use In Addressing Unreviewed Safety Question Requirements, DOE G 424.1‐1 and the Pantex Plant Unreviewed Safety Questions Program (U), STD 3014 for Facility and Nuclear Weapon Programs. Perform maintenance of the LINAC/CT/X‐RAY and Mass Properties Safety Analysis Report modules based on emerging operational requirements.
Project Manager
2002 to 2003Technical consultant for the development of a Self Assessment Program (SAP) implementing procedure per the DOE Order 414.1A, Quality Assurance and DOE G 414.1-1A, Management Assessment and Independent Assessment Guide in support of operations at the Nevada Test Site (NTS). The self-assessment process established a methodology for employees and organizational units to evaluate their performance in meeting NTS program and projects objectives. These included, but were not limited to, effective implementation of Environmental, Safety, and Health (ES&H) requirements and other programmatic requirements.
Project Manager
2002 to 2003Project Manager for the preparation of nuclear safety basis (SB) documents in accordance with DOE‐STD‐3009‐94, and Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) LIR‐300‐00‐06 and for activities associated with the performance of a large‐scale, contained dynamic experiment in support of LANL Nuclear Weapons Stockpile Stewardship and Certification Mission. Performed “what if” Hazards Analysis (HA) and Hazards Control Plans (HCPs) identifying the possible accident scenarios that may occur and separating individual work elements into a sequence of steps, identifying the potential hazards, the initial risk (both consequence and probability); and failures of each step. Determined the controls and barriers required to overcome these hazards in an operational environment. Developed technical operating procedures and policies to ensure that modifications to the configuration of facilities, equipment, changes to operating procedures, and practices were documented and controlled.
Developed an operating procedure (OP) to establish a uniform method for the control of documents and the retention/maintenance of records relevant to engineering design, construction, safety, health and environmental management per ISO 9001, Quality Management Systems. Tasks included the development of processes that regularly review, revise as necessary, and obtain approval for use by authorized personnel, prior to use. Ensure that versions of relevant documents were available at all locations where operations essential to the effective functioning of the systems were performed. Developed process to promptly remove, from all points of issue and points of use, the obsolete documents. Developed methodology for the performance of internal audits, control of nonconforming product, corrective and preventive actions.
Project Manager
2001 to 2002Project Manager for the Interconnect Mediated Access (IMA) Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) systems that provide the Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (CLECs) ability to access Qwest Communications systems through a web browser, EDI, or by fax to the Interconnect Imaging Systems (IIS). Provided project management of EDI system software definition, development, and deployment for the Interactive Agent (IA), EDI Hub, and the GE Global eXchange Services (GXS) Application Integrator (AI) software product in a UNIX environment.
Project Manager
2000 to 2001Project Manager responsible for the development and implementation of an EDI program that is both EDI and XML capable in a UNIX environment, utilizing the GE GXS Enterprise System at both the application-to-application (A2A) and business-to-business (B2B) levels.
Adjunct Professor
1996Developed and taught the college course “Introduction to Decommissioning and Dismantlement (D&D)”, SCI-191-001. The curriculum was taught during the spring and fall semesters of 1996. Classroom instruction was provided on the requirements and process for Decontamination and Dismantlement (D&D) of hazardous and radioactive equipment and facilities. Instrumental topics included:
Project Manager
1992 to 2000Project manager and design engineer of a mobile Soil Vapor E (SVE) extraction system. Per the requirements of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), corrective action for the remediation of subsurface contamination. Engineering design responsibilities included the design of the vapor extraction wells, piping systems, vacuum systems, adsorption and thermal treatment systems for extracted hazardous soil gas.
Responsible for the environmental performance of the site manufacturing, laboratory and shipping facilities designated as 559, 707, and 991. These tasks and responsibilities included the implementation of the regulatory requirements for the facility operation, review of environmental documentation affecting the facility, review of engineering design of new projects and building modifications with respect to the impact on environmental compliance.
Additional duties included ACM building and facility inspection and ACM management, the coordination and oversight of environmental and waste sampling collection, coordination and preparation of data for inclusion into various environmental reports, coordination of compliance inspections and self-assessments and the provision of direction on emergency response and notification for environmental occurrences.
Facility engineering manager for building 559, 707, and 991 manufacturing, laboratory and shipping operations. Responsibilities and tasks included: the prioritization, direction, and approval of engineering designs for facilities and programs within the approved Safe Operating Envelope (SOE); development and implementation of all facility operability documents and facility authorization documents affected by engineered modifications; development of appropriate operational readiness reviews, readiness assessments and management reviews for newly engineered systems and processes being brought into service within the facilities; project management of decommissioning and demolition activities within the project area; and management of new facility construction.
Direction and supervision of technical staff to ensure compliance with applicable requirements leading to the certification of Transuranic (TRU) waste shipments to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). Provided Quality Assurance (QA) to residue packaging activities to insure compliance with the WIPP Waste Acceptance Plan (WAP), Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site (Site) TRU Waste Characterization Quality Assurance Project Plan, TRU Waste Management Manual and subordinate documents required for waste certification. Additional duties included the functional responsibility for project staff WIPP qualification training for project staff certification audits.
Project Manager
1989 to 1992Provided engineering services involving the planning, analysis, design, construction, operation and maintenance of water systems and structures. Performed engineering alternatives evaluations, including CERCLA Feasibility Studies (FS), and Remedial Designs (RD) for groundwater remediation and water, wastewater, and soil treatment systems projects. The Feasibility Studies developed, screened, and evaluated in detail alternative remedial actions under CERCLA.
Designed and executed treatability studies evaluating the performance, design, and cost of a remedy for the treatment of hazardous waste using biological treatment, ion exchange, granular activated carbon, chemical precipitation, ultraviolet radiation/ chemical oxidation, solidification, and thermal treatment technologies for both solids and liquids. These treatability studies were performed to determine what technologies permanently reduced the volume, toxicity, or mobility of the hazardous substances.
Developed prescreening of technologies focusing on: 1) the potential for the process option to treat the estimated volume of contaminated media and to achieve the remediation goals identified in the remedial action objectives, 2) the potential impacts on human health and the environment during construction and implementation of the option, and 3) the documented performance of the option for treating similar contaminants and matrices.
Performed the evaluation of data from laboratory results to determine whether analytical data was of sufficient quality for the intended purpose and use. Performed Data Quality Assessment (DQA) to identify and summarize any quality control problems that occurred during laboratory analysis (QC non-conformances).
Performed remedial action alternative cost estimates for assessing capital costs, annual operations and maintenance costs, and net present value of capital and O&M costs. Performed the construction management, operation and maintenance of an ultraviolet radiation/chemical oxidation treatment facility for the treatment of high hazard liquid waste.
Project Engineer
1986 to 1989Project engineer for the design, construction management, operation and maintenance of Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) corrective actions for private and public sectors. Engineering responsibilities included the design of containment structures and processes for decontaminating Polychlorinated Bi-phenyls (PCBs) from structures and equipment.
Designed and operated media filtration and granular activated carbon adsorption systems for the treatment of liquid waste streams containing regulated contaminants. Supervised the collection of soil and groundwater samples containing regulated substances for analysis using diverse types of electronic and/or manual field instruments, equipment, and gauges. Analyzed environmental data to define the spatial patterns and the scales of variability, and created risk maps for use in decision-making.
Project Manager
1985 to 1986Performed design engineering, cost estimating, and field servicing of commercial, industrial and municipal entities for the treatment of drinking water. Design tasks included establishing the design basis requirements, developing Process Flow Diagrams and Process Data Sheets. Prepared detailed process design including Process Flow Diagrams (PFD), Mass Balance and Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&ID), Mechanical Flow Diagrams, hydraulic capacity calculations for water treatment unit operations and the life cycle operating cost calculations for unit operations.
Performed engineering designs for the treatment of water using chemical flocculation and settling basins, media filtration using sand and anthracite, reverse osmosis desalination systems for the production of drinking water from both brackish and seawater sources, packed column air stripping, chemical disinfection using chlorine, ultraviolet radiation and ozonation. Designed deionization systems utilizing ion exchange media (single and dual column cation, anion exchangers, mixed beds and chelating systems). Designed granular activated carbon adsorption systems, water distribution and water storage systems.
Project staff member
1979 to 1982Performed engineering design of commercial and industrial unit operations for the treatment of industrial wastewater and drinking water, cost estimating and the start up and the training of equipment operators. Design tasks included; establishing the design basis requirements, and developing Process Flow Diagrams and Process Data Sheets. Prepared detailed process design including Process Flow Diagram (PFD) with Mass Balance and Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&ID). Performed hydraulic flow calculations, system capacity sizing and life cycle operating cost calculations. Water treatment designs utilized ion exchange media (single and dual column cation and anion exchangers, mixed beds and chelating ion exchange systems). Designed pressure filtration systems using sand or woven media. Performed design of granular activated carbon adsorption systems for the treatment of drinking water.
U.S. Merchant Marine 3rd Assistant Engineering Officer
1979Various assignments as an engineer aboard vessels traversing the Great Lakes. Responsible for the supervision and work coordination of crew members who operated and maintained the ship's engines, boilers, deck machinery, and the electrical, ammonia and Freon refrigeration, and sanitary equipment.
DOE “Q” (Inactive)
M. S., Civil Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, 1986
B. E., Ocean Engineering, State University of New York, Maritime College, Bronx, 1979
Provide instruction for an 8 hour Continuing Professional Education program to the Rocky Mountain Section of the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA). Topics lectured were the safety considerations in robot design, installation, programming, and operation. The protective measures and complementary equipment used to safeguard machinery and equipment. The requirements and implementation of a Lockout Tagout program for safeguarding machinery and equipment. Golden Colorado, September 2015
v. 07/13/23
In this presentation delivered to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Michael D. Klein, P.E., CHMM, discusses fracking, with a focus on methods, regulations, and environmental impacts.…
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