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