Polyethylene Piping and Spoolable Polymer Composite Piping Consultant

Technical Consultant #2325

Servicing plastic material manufacturers, convertors and asset owners with focus to plastic pipe material development, extrusion support for manufacturers, and plastics testing.
Polyethylene materials including manufacturing, extrusion, additive stabilization, stress and creep analysis, environmental conditions, chemical compatibility, and application requirements.
Polyethylene piping: Structural corrugated pipe, natural gas distribution, oil and gas production, water transport, hot and cold water plumbing, heat fusion joining.
Spoolable polymer composite piping for energy production.
Forensic investigations, and failure analysis.

Expert Witness Experience

Large-scale failures of an HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) irrigation system on a golf course - Defective manufacturing workmanship.
Extensive presence of polybutylene (PB) domestic water and fire suppression lines were disclosed as part of property assessment report - Conducted on site visit, composed PB piping analysis report.

Undisclosed Company, President, 2014 - Present

Serving the needs of plastic material manufacturers, convertors and asset owners with a specialization in plastic pipe material development, extrusion support for manufacturers, and plastics testing.
Authored a technical standard at ASTM International and a 70 page report for Electric Power Research Institute.
Papers authored and presentations given at SPE ANTEC and Polyolefins Conference.
Participated in several industry organizations and served as chair of ASTM F17.61 Subcommittee on water piping systems.

Microbac Laboratories - Hauser Division, Boulder, CO, Technical Director, 2012 - 2014

Directed and coordinated activities of a technical team to prepare test reports on plastic materials and piping system components, products, and assemblies.
Provided consulting services on a broad array of technical projects including plastic materials and codes/standards revisions.

Chevron Phillips Chemical Company, Bartlesville, OK, 2000 - 2012

Pipe Technical Service Supervisor

Led a team of technical service engineers to provide experience and expertise on wide variety of technical issues confronting pressure pipe and non-pressure pipe convertors.

Pipe Material and Development Specialist

Analyzed manufacturing technologies to create innovative products in a variety of end-use applications.
Worked in a cross-functional team of developmental specialists having responsibility for development of new durable applications including thermoforming, large-part blow molding, sheet, geomembrane, structural pipe, pressure pipe and black, blue, and yellow concentrates.
Developed new pipe resins.
Provided technical service for PE pipe fabrication.
Provided company representation at industry organizations including ASME, CSA, and ASTM.

Polymer Stabilization Chemist

Served as internal expert for resin development, manufacturing, technical service, purchasing and licensing.
Developed analytical methods and qualified additives for polyethylene manufacturing.
Provided technical and financial analysis of new additives.

Phillips Petroleum Company, Bartlesville, OK, Polymer Research Chemist, 1996 - 2000

Supported polyethylene manufacturing and licensing business from research and development group during new catalyst and product introductions.
Scaled-up lab versions of polyethylene catalysts.

Credentials

Languages

Academic and Professional Affiliations

American Gas Association - Plastic Materials Committee Ex-officio Member
American Petroleum Institute
ASME - Contributing Member of the Working Group on HDPE Materials
ASTM International - Subcommittee F17.61 Chair on Plastic Piping for Water
American Water Works Association
Canadian Standards Association - B137 Committee
Plastics Pipe Institute
Society of Plastics Engineers - Technical Program Chair, Plastic Pipe and Fittings SIG

Publications and Patents