Solvify Engineering Case Studies

At Solvify LLC, we deliver precise, high-impact engineering solutions in thermal-hydraulic design, fluid systems, product development, and risk-informed analysis. With a Professional Engineering license, experience in ASME codes and ISO standards, nuclear safety, and industrial product certification, we turn complex challenges into reliable, compliant, and market-expanding results.

Below are three polished case studies drawn directly from founder Briana Liddell's portfolio of projects throughout her engineering career (Natrium Reactor, Improving Cold Temperature Performance, and Implementing Solid State Relays). These showcase the same rigorous technical depth, project management discipline, and client-focused outcomes you will receive when partnering with Solvify LLC.

Case Study 1: Natrium Reactor Fluid Systems Design

Project: Sodium Fast Reactor Intermediate Fluid System (TerraPower – Natrium Reactor Project)

Industry: Advanced Nuclear Energy

Duration: July 2023 – March 2025 (as Fluid Systems Design Engineer)

The Challenge

Design a first-of-a-kind sodium-filled nuclear fluid system for a commercial-scale sodium fast reactor. The system required simultaneous functional performance, nuclear safety compliance, and long-term reliability under extreme thermal-hydraulic and chemical conditions—while meeting advanced reactor Principal Design Criteria and risk-informed licensing requirements. Early design decisions carried multi-million-dollar implications for plant construction, operations, and regulatory approval.

Approach

• Performed extensive thermal-hydraulic and chemical system calculations to predict equipment and system performance for both functional and safety purposes. Developed novel analytical models now used company-wide by other engineers.

• Led cross-functional project-level decisions, collaborating with stakeholders across systems engineering, licensing, safety/risk assessment, and Senior Design Authority.

• Authored detailed technical reports covering licensing approaches, calculation methodologies, results, and design recommendations.

• Provided test requirements and real-time feedback to heat-exchanger performance and chemical reaction test programs; validated and refined models with test data.

• Led a five-engineer team to prepare conformance statements to advanced reactor Principal Design Criteria; aligned plant-level requirements through targeted working sessions with licensing.

• Conducted independent technical reviews of safety-related calculations, identifying and correcting flawed approaches while mentoring peers.

• Supported major equipment procurement with ASME code-compliant recommendations based on thermal-hydraulic knowledge and interface requirements.

Results & Impact

• Identified a critical isolation-valve omission that would have introduced significant generation risk and long-term cost impact—preventing future redesign expenses.

• Delivered models and analyses that accelerated design decisions and strengthened the licensing basis.

• Contributed to a safer, more reliable reactor design while mentoring new engineers who became successful project contributors.

• Demonstrated full-cycle ownership: research → analysis → testing → procurement → documentation.

This project highlights Solvify LLC’s ability to navigate high-stakes, first-of-a-kind technology projects with precision and collaborative project management.

Case Study 2: Improving Cold Temperature Performance of Propane Gas Vaporizer

Project: Tube-Style Propane Vaporizer Flowpath Redesign (Algas-SDI International)

Industry: Industrial Gas Equipment / Propane Systems

Duration: 2019–2023 (as Gas Products Engineer – Product Technical Lead)

The Challenge

Existing tube-style vaporizer design suffered severe capacity limitations in cold temperatures due to excessive pressure losses in the flowpath. The redesign had to maintain UL certification, pass extensive liquid-propane safety testing, and expand the equipment’s usable temperature range—directly affecting market size and customer satisfaction in northern climates.

Approach

• Redesigned the internal flowpath to minimize pressure drop while preserving heat-transfer performance.

• Conducted over 70 hands-on tests using propane and a large flare stack across a wide temperature range.

• Built and validated a thermal-hydraulic model to predict performance and select the optimal design iteration.

• Managed the full project: updated UL files, coordinated with sales/purchasing/production, established budgets and timelines, and performed risk assessments via FMEA.

• Wrote test procedures, presented results to Senior Engineering leadership, and supported manufacturing hand-off.

Results & Impact

• Achieved significantly improved cold-temperature capacity, expanding the product’s market reach into colder climates.

• Delivered a robust, validated design that eliminated previous performance bottlenecks and increased customer reliability.

• Completed the project on schedule with full regulatory file updates—demonstrating end-to-end product development and certification expertise.

Clients choose Solvify LLC for exactly this blend of rapid prototyping, rigorous testing, and measurable performance gains in real-world operating conditions.

Case Study 3: Implementing Solid-State Relays for Enhanced Equipment Reliability

Project: Control-System Upgrade – Mechanical Contactor to Solid-State Relays (Algas-SDI International)

Industry: Industrial Gas Equipment / Hazardous Locations

Duration: 2019–2023 (as Gas Products Engineer – Product Technical Lead)

The Challenge

Mechanical contactors in explosion-proof enclosures were causing reliability issues. The upgrade required ATEX/IECEx certification for European markets, sunlight-induced enclosure temperature analysis, and proof that solid-state relays (SSRs) would remain within safe operating limits under all environmental conditions.

Approach

• Designed and implemented SSRs inside an exterior explosion-proof enclosure.

• Derived a custom system of nine thermal-resistance equations (solved in Excel) to predict enclosure temperatures under sunlight loading.

• Conducted extensive climate-chamber testing plus select on-site customer validation.

• Managed full certification update with European agencies and performed FMEA risk assessments.

• Coordinated cross-department deliverables (sales, purchasing, production) while maintaining ISO 9001 and ANSI/ASQ Z1.4 quality standards.

Results & Impact

• Substantially increased electrical-component reliability and reduced maintenance costs.

• Successfully achieved ATEX/IECEx file update, unlocking European market access.

• Validated the thermal model with physical testing, giving the company confidence to standardize the design across product lines.

Why Partner with Solvify LLC?

These projects demonstrate what you can expect:

• Technical Expertise – Thermal-hydraulic modeling, ASME and other code compliance, risk-informed design, and advanced testing.

• Project Management – On-time delivery, cross-functional leadership, budget control, and stakeholder alignment.

• Client Value – Improved performance, expanded markets, regulatory compliance, and long-term cost savings.

Whether you need fluid-system analysis, industrial product design, custom thermal-hydraulic solutions, or risk assessment and troubleshooting, Solvify LLC brings the same disciplined, results-driven approach that has already succeeded in high-stakes environments.

Ready to solve your next engineering challenge? Contact Briana Liddell, PE at briana.liddell@solvify-llc.com or (253) 256-3217.

Let’s build something exceptional together.