Creative Engineers Inc

Alkali metals and chemical process engineering experts

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About the firm

Creative Engineers, Inc. (CEI) specializes in chemical process engineering with a focus on alkali metals, performance metals, and specialty chemical systems. Leveraging extensive hands-on experience, its engineers design, build, and optimize complex chemical processes operating under extreme conditions, including high temperatures, reactive environments, and liquid metal handling. The practice provides end-to-end support ranging from lab-scale setups and custom equipment design to pilot testing, safety reviews, and full-scale production system commissioning.

Established
1996
Team
Small
Firm type
Chemical Engineering · Process Engineering · Design-Build · Mechanical Engineering · Electrical Engineering · Automation & Controls · Process Safety Engineering

Credentials

ISO 9001

People

Richard VanLieshoutPresident

Kevin BerryFounder

Alex VanLieshoutVice President - Business Operations

Jared GordonVice President - Process Engineering

Jason WenschhofPlant Manager

Adam BosworthSr. Mechanical Engineer

Justin CunninghamElectrical Engineer

Don FinnertyMechanical Engineer

Brian HoffmanChemical Engineer

Ryan KetphanhChemical Technician

Josh MartenySr. Chemical Engineer

Ben PapuMechanical Fabricator

Rob PonderMechanical Engineer

Steve PriceChemical Engineer

Diana RoddSr. Chemical Engineer

Brandon ShefferMechanical Fabricator

Debee SommerExecutive Assistant

Noah SutherlandLead Mechanical Fabricator / Operations

Grant WootenSr. Chemical Engineer

Capabilities

Chemical & Process Engineering

Comprehensive engineering solutions for specialized chemical operations, utilizing advanced process modeling and rigorous thermodynamic calculations.

  • Conceptual and Detailed Process Design

    End-to-end process design from initial concept, PFDs, and heat and mass balances to finalized engineering configurations.

  • Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs) & Mass and Energy Balance (M&EB)

    Detailed chemical process modeling representing mass and heat flows to ensure system efficiency.

  • Piping and Instrument Diagrams (P&IDs)

    Comprehensive schematics defining control and process boundaries for piping, valves, and instrumentation.

  • Process Troubleshooting & Optimization

    Analysis of existing processes to resolve operational bottlenecks, improve yields, and reduce cycle times.

  • Pressure and Vacuum Relief System Analysis

    Sizing, design, and regulatory analysis of critical safety relief systems under emergency relief conditions.

Mechanical & Skid Engineering

Custom mechanical and structural design for modular skid-mounted systems and industrial facilities.

  • Piping Design, Specification, and Layouts

    Precision 3D modeling and isometric designs for complex facility piping layouts.

  • Skid-Mounted System Design & Fabrication

    Modular, transportable, and fully integrated custom-engineered chemical process systems built to spec.

  • Field-Construction Design & Detailed Drawings

    Development of mechanical drawings, structural dynamics assessments, and complete construction documents.

Automation & Electrical Engineering

Automation systems integration and electrical schematic designs for hazardous-area chemical systems.

  • PLC, DCS, and SCADA Control Systems

    Programming, testing, and implementation of industrial control systems for batch and continuous processes.

  • Instrumentation System Design and Specification

    Selection, specification, and loops mapping of process sensors, flow meters, and control elements.

  • Industrial Control Panel Design & Electrical Schematics

    Custom panel building, elementaries design, and electrical systems troubleshooting.

Project Management & Process Safety

Professional oversight ensuring that hazardous process designs comply with codes, safety protocols, budgets, and timelines.

  • Process Hazard Assessments (HAZOP & What-If Studies)

    Facilitating multi-disciplinary safety reviews to mitigate risks associated with hazardous processes.

  • Building and Fire Code Consulting

    Interpreting complex IBC and IFC regulations for the storage, handling, and processing of reactive materials.

  • Permitting and Regulatory Compliance

    Assisting with local, state, and federal chemical reporting, safety permits, and regulatory compliance.

Alkali Metals & Liquid Metal Specialty Services

Global leaders in engineering solutions, custom equipment, and safety procedures for sodium, potassium, lithium, and NaK.

  • Alkali Metals Handling, Transportation, and Reaction Systems

    Engineering safety systems, oxide-free delivery lines, and high-purity molten feeds for reactive alkali metals.

  • Electromagnetic Pump and Flow Meter Manufacturing

    Reliable, seal-less, zero-moving-parts EM pumps and electromagnetic meters designed for high-temperature liquid metals up to 1,500 F.

  • Liquid Metal Heat-Transfer Systems

    Design and optimization of specialized cooling and heat-transfer systems using eutectic NaK or other liquid metals.

  • Alkali Metals Training

    Standard and custom training courses covering the safe handling, reactiveness, and storage of reactive metals.

  • Chemical Removal, Cleanup, and Decommissioning Services

    Safe deactivation, passivation, and disposal of residual alkali metals, superoxides, and hydrides.

  • Pilot Plant Design, Fabrication, and Operation

    Rapid design, fabrication, and testing of research-scale pilot operations within a specialized facility.

Industries

Nuclear · Oil & Gas · Chemicals · Aerospace · Defense · Medical Devices · Manufacturing

Projects

SEA Wire PTFE-Coated Wire Etching System

Manufacturing · Client: SEA Wire Inc.

Project details

Designed and fabricated a custom two-part solution for etching PTFE-coated wire of various specifications and sizes. The system processes four independent strands of wire simultaneously through unified alcohol and hot water rinses, complete with an air wipe for residual water removal. The project included wire handling innovation, delivering unwinding, alignment, length measurement, respooling, and precise tension control.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory NaK Clean-up

Nuclear · 1999 · Client: Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Project details

Provided specialized cleanup and deactivation of NaK containing potassium superoxide at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory following a furnace explosion.

Custom Etch Cart Development

Medical Devices

Project details

Designed and built custom etching systems for fluoropolymer medical and industrial tubing.

Liquid Metal Test Loop Systems

Nuclear

Project details

Developed and built liquid metal test loop systems for advanced thermal and heat-transfer research.