Chemical Engineer: Polymerization Engineering, Chemical Reactors and Polymer Devolatilization (1444)
Expertise
Chemical facility project management.
Simulation of continuous and batch processes.
Molecular transport mechanisms and equipment.
Polymer devolatilization and solvent removal.
Supercritical fluid polymer interactions.
Polymerization engineering and chemical reactors.
Experience
Undisclosed University, 2006 - Present
Independent Consultant, 1989 - Present
R&D Associate, Du Pont Company, 1987 - 1989
R&D Engineer, BF Goodrich Company, 1978 - 1983
Engineering Course Instruction
Polymer Reaction Engineering
Batch Process Engineering
Devolatilization and Purification of Polymers
Computer Methods in Engineering
Process Modeling and Simulation
Chemical Reaction Engineering
Fermentation Biotechnology
Material, Energy and Economic Balances
Energy Balances
Development of a Polyacrylic Acid Production Facility
Co-leader of a team that developed a 2.5 MM process for the continuous production of aqueous polyacrylic acid.
Led the development of all fundamental thermodynamic and kinetic data, design and sizing of the primary continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) and a post reaction pressurized flow reactor (PFR) used to chase residual monomer.
Led design of a stripping column for treatment of SO2 from the product stream and development of the computer simulation of the process conditions to modify product properties for different customers.
Process was taken from initial concept, through laboratory batch reactions, to commercial production startup in nine months.
Nanofiber Devolatilization
Lead consultant on the development of new stripping processes for the removal of residual spinning solvent from nanofibers produced via commercial scale spinning operation.
Responsible for development of fundamental transport data and models used as a basis for the design of the commercial stripping unit.
Team member of the design team, responsible for overseeing the choice of stripping conditions, residence time requirements and P&ID reviews.
Polyacrylonitrile "Noodle" Production
Lead consultant and design contractor for the development of a facility to produce "noodles" made from polyacrylonitrile.
Polymer is soluble in a highly concentrated proprietary mixed-salt solution that enables the material to be extruded into noodles resembling cooked spaghetti. Product is used for medical applications.
Responsible for development of fundamental design data, preliminary process flow diagrams, development of concepts, laboratory testing of separation and purification processes, and development of design data and P&IDs for drying and packaging the product.
"Tyvek" Spunbonded Devolatilization
Lead consultant on the development of a new stripping process for the removal of residual spinning solvent from "Tyvek" sheets produced with a new spin solvent.
Responsible for development of all fundamental transport data and models used as a basis for the design of the commercial stripping unit.
Team member of the design team, responsible for overseeing the choice of stripping conditions, residence time requirements and P&ID reviews.
Honors & Publications
AIChE, ACS, ASEE
Multiple publications on chemical process engineering, kinetics, diffusion, phase transfer and catalysis.
Education
Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, North Carolina State University
B.S., Chemistry, Campbell College