Chemical Consultant for Epoxy, Vinyl Acetate Ethylene Copolymers and Polyurethanes Resins (1163)
Expertise
Specialty chemicals including performance polymers, epoxy products and hydrogenation processes.
Chemical production including emulsion polymerization, vinyl acetate, epoxy resins, polyurethane resins and hydrogenation.
Chemical processing techniques including statistical process control, six sigma, process modeling, mixing, agitation, dispersion batch process, design and safety hazard analyzes
Fluent in CFD tools.
Expert witness for specialty chemical processing, polymers, epoxy products and hydrogenation processes.
Experience
1997 %u2013 2004 Principal Research Associate %u2013 Air Products, Chemicals Group
1993 %u2013 1997 Principal Research Associate - Corporate Science and Technology Center
1983 %u2013 1993 Manager - New Process Research, Polymer Chemicals Technology
1977 - 1983 Manager - Process Development, Polymer Chemicals Technology
Senior Research Engineer - Corporate Engineering and Chemical Technology
1974 %u2013 1977 Technology Research and Development
Developed and supported technology across the Chemicals Group, ($1.5 billion in sales) in specialty chemical products including performance polymers, epoxy products, and hydrogenation processes. Drove programs with high potential application value in process and chemistry fundamentals, process monitoring and controls. Provided internal consultation to technical and business functions.
Process Technology Development and Optimization
Conceived, developed and implemented processes with step changes in process conditions globally. Achieved greater than 20% improvement in throughput and 25% reduction in potential capital while maintaining performance.
Developed patented continuous processes for vinyl-acetate ethylene polymers.
Designed and implemented on a commercial scale, a high pressure (1500 psi) reactor system for batch production of emulsion polymers 30% larger than existing. This system has optimized heat transfer and mixing and a resulting high throughput. Worked with pressure vessel designers and suppliers to realize the design concepts.
Provided consultation and guidance as a mixing system expert, especially in stirred vessels. Introduced the use of CFD tools for agitation evaluation.
Developed process design and analysis tools for application in batch process system designs and process and product development based on the use of engineering science.
Polymerization and Dispersion Technology
Led a group of up to 10 technologists, including senior chemists responsible for new product development an optimization resulting in differentiated higher margin products with high solids content and high ethylene content. These products constitute 20% of the 500 million pounds per year sales of vinyl acetate ethylene copolymers at Air Products.
Identified, developed and implemented technology for the production of chemical and physical hybrid systems with unique properties and high margins.
Investigated mini-emulsion technology and polymerization in supercritical media.
Investigated dispersion technology, especially for emulsions.
Improved product and process development speed and efficiency through the development and utilization of fundamental and statistical models of emulsion polymerization systems. These models, including population balance models were developed within the corporation and in collaboration with external researchers.
Business and Technology Processes
As a manager and technical contributor, established and implemented work processes for work groups and teams. Led and participated in programs supporting the $300 million Global Performance Polymers business.
Led a multi-functional high-level global team, to develop work processes and systems in production, product development and commercialization, for sustainable quality and reliability, resulting in step changes in the improvement of prime material and on-stream. Utilized six-sigma methodology.
As the corporate expert in emulsion polymer technology, provided technology leadership globally in U.S., Asian and European regions. Worked with the business leadership to plan and set direction for product portfolios, market strategy and potential ventures in a $500 million business. As a key member of the Asian entry team, developed and evaluated product and process technologies to provide value to strategic options.
Evaluated, prioritized and managed technology programs. Evaluated new ideas as a member of the Intellectual Asset Management team making decisions on patent estates and trade secrets.
Provided consulting input to technology and business functions.
Education
Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, University of Notre Dame
M. S., Chemical Engineering, University of Notre Dame
B. Tech. Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, India