A realistic first build for IX-Liquid is a 14-20 week pilot-build program after design freeze.
Typical small-team staffing:
- 1 project / systems engineer
- 1 process / mechanical engineer
- 1 electrical / controls engineer
- 1 fabrication / assembly technician
- 1 commissioning / test technician
- optional support from CAD, HMI, or environmental sampling contributors
A tighter team can do the work, but the calendar usually stretches.
| Phase | Duration | Primary roles | Main outputs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concept freeze | 1 week | Systems, process | Locked flow path, non-claims, mission pack |
| Mechanical layout | 2 weeks | Process, mechanical | Skid layout, line list, valve list |
| Controls design | 2 weeks | Controls, systems | I/O map, state machine, alarm matrix |
| Procurement | 2-4 weeks | PM, all leads | Long-lead equipment ordered |
| Panel and skid fabrication | 3-4 weeks | Fabrication, controls | Assembled skid and control panel |
| Software + HMI integration | 2-3 weeks | Controls | PLC logic, screens, logging |
| Dry commissioning | 1 week | All | Power-up, permissive tests |
| Wet commissioning / FAT | 1-2 weeks | All | Leak test, flow test, route test |
| Proof-of-concept trial | 1-2 weeks | All + sampling | Controlled contaminated-water trial |
- 14 weeks
- Requires clean procurement, off-the-shelf parts, and minimal rework
- 16-20 weeks
- Allows for supplier slips, tubing/plumbing rework, sensor tuning, and one extra FAT loop
- 6-9 months
- Trailer, weather hardening, nicer enclosure work, and more mature data telemetry
The usual critical path is:
- locked P&ID and routing logic
- coalescing separator / skid hardware availability
- control enclosure and panel build
- sensor integration and PLC debug
- wet testing and punch-list closure
- 3 engineers is usually enough
- 3-5 engineers + 1 technician works better
- 2-4 engineers + 1-2 technicians + sampling support