NEW YORK, July 31, 2009 -- Charles Becht, Ph.D., P.E., a resident of Morristown, N.J., and president of Becht Engineering Co., Inc. (Liberty Corner, N.J.), was recognized by ASME for significant contributions to the field of pressure vessel and piping technology, particularly for advancing new standards for bellows expansion joints, the development of the refractory gas distributor for fluidized bed reactors and for his leadership as chair of ASME’s Post Construction Committee.  He received the Society’s Pressure Vessel and Piping Medal.

The medal, established in 1980, was presented to Dr. Becht during the ASME Pressure Vessels and Piping Conference, which was held in Prague, Czech Republic, July 26 through 29.

Becht is a recognized authority in pressure vessels, piping, expansion joints and elevated temperature design.  Besides being president of Becht Engineering Co. Inc., a consulting engineering company that provides both process and equipment engineering services as well as project and turnaround services for the process and power industries, he is president of Becht Engineering Canada Ltd.; director of Helidex, LLC; and director of Sonomatic Ltd. (also doing business in North America as Becht Sonomatic), a nondestructive examination company that provides advanced ultrasonic imaging equipment and services.  He was previously with Energy Systems Group–Rockwell International (1977-80) and Exxon Research and Engineering Company (1980-86), where he was a pressure equipment specialist.

Becht has more than 60 publications including the book Process Piping, The Complete Guide to ASME B31.3; and he holds five patents including one for the refractory gas distributor for fluidized bed reactors.

An ASME Fellow, Becht has been active in the development of new rules for bellows expansion joints as well as rules for piping design, elevated temperature design, fitness for service and life extension.  He is chair of the ASME B31.3 Process Piping Committee, chair of the Post Construction Subcommittee on Repair and Testing (PCC), and a member of other ASME committees including the Post Construction Standards Committee and the Post Construction Executive Committee; the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Committee on Transport Tanks and Code Subgroup on Elevated Temperature Design among numerous other committee and subcommittee involvement.  In 2001, he received an ASME Dedicated Service Award and earned a number of certificates from the ASME PVP Division.

Becht earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering at Union College (Schenectady, N.Y.) and his master’s degree in civil (structural) engineering at Stanford University, California, in 1976 and 1977, respectively.  He earned his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering at Memorial University (Newfoundland, Canada) in 2000.  Becht is a licensed professional engineer in 15 U.S. states and one Canadian province.

About ASME:
ASME helps the global engineering community develop solutions to real world challenges. Founded in 1880 as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, ASME is a not-for-profit professional organization that enables collaboration, knowledge sharing and skill development across all engineering disciplines, while promoting the vital role of the engineer in society. ASME codes and standards, publications, conferences, continuing education and professional development programs provide a foundation for advancing technical knowledge and a safer world.

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