Syngas, GTL, Clean Fuels and Alternative Energy Petrochemical Expert

Expertise

• Specialization in syngas processes, Gas to Liquid (GTL), novel clean fuels technologies, and alternative energy processes as well as refining, gas processing, and petrochemicals industries.
• Development and commercialization of a variety of process technologies related to light gas processing, heavy end upgrading, and clean fuels manufacture.
• Identifying, assessing, and championing novel technology opportunities and solutions for integration into the company's assets.
• Consultant to major US. and international firms such as ExxonMobil, Saudi Aramco, Procter & Gamble, AREVA, Monsanto, and Abu Dhabi.
• Developed integrated downstream refining and separations process for novel petrochemical feedstock technology, including technology evaluations.
• Preform purification technology study for the manufacture of ethylene and propylene via novel technology, (HYSYS process modeling and integration, technology sorting, notional CAPEX, and final process recommendation).
• Light hydrocarbon chemistries and processes.
• Gas-to-Liquid (GTL) technologies
• Fischer-Tropsch technologies
• Cyclone and hydrocyclone separation applications in oil and gas processing.
• Co-invented step-out zeolitic technology for manufacture of isobutylene, a key petrochemical and MTBE feedstock.

Expert Witness Experience

• Technical expert in petrochemicals feedstocks and gas processing litigation case. Participated in discovery and reviewed produced documents, prepared expert report, analyzed opposing side expert report and attended-advised on opposing side deposition, testified in deposition.
• Technical advisor on refining for a western U.S. litigation case. Provided full range of litigation support services related to refinery planning and LPs, operations, maintenance, and product transportation and pricing.
• Technical advisor on gasoline storage stability, additives, and transportation issues to member of State of California Attorney General's Task Force on Gasoline Pricing. Contributed to the AG's report.

Experience

Undisclosed Company, President and Lead Engineer-Energy Consulting, 1999 - Present

• Performed full commercial-scale economic and feasibility study for novel syngas processing to gasoline and diesel via Fischer-Tropsch/GTL conversion. Included technology evaluation and selection, products specification and market analysis, economic analysis and sensitivities, and move-ahead strategy.
• Prepared Requests for Proposal and Quotes, (RFP/RFQs), guided technology and Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) firms through the process of providing proposals and designs for incorporation into the overall process, and evaluated responses.
• Developed CAPEX, OPEX, design book, and other elements towards basic engineering.
• Developed full Process and Catalyst Design Package (PDP/CDP) for commercial-scale coal gasification syngas to clean fuels plant via Fischer-Tropsch/GTL in East Asia.
• Prepared RFP/RFQs, guided technology and EPC firms through the process of providing proposals and designs for incorporation into the overall process, evaluated proposals and quotes.
• Performed economic and technical feasibility study for 20,000 BPD integrated European process involving the conversion of syngas to gasoline, diesel and specialty lubes/wax products via Fischer-Tropsch/GTL technology.
• Developed pre-feasibility study for US 3,000 BPD biomass and rubber to clean fuels via syngas intermediates and Fischer-Tropsch/GTL technology and methanol facility.
• Assisted invention firm in developing novel options and synergies for integration of Fischer-Tropsch and syngas with processes for the manufacture of hydrogen, utilization of carbon dioxide, and production of electricity.
• Developed report on global wax market conditions and market entry issues. Valuated start-up client novel technology for the purposes of royalty negotiations with GTL technology company.
• Evaluated the technical and commercial options for the implementation of low barrels-per-day Fischer-Tropsch/GTL technology for the conversion of coal-bed methane.
• Provided consulting with a number of U.S. venture capitalists as well as technology providers on the state of GTL/CTL/BTL syngas conversion technologies. Work included design and economic studies, technology evaluation and valuation, and market analysis (including impact on gasoline, diesel, lubes, and waxes).
• Performed novel GTL technology due diligence for major North American energy company.
• Evaluated technical, operational, and economic issues and advised client in investment option.
• Assisted novel GTL technology commercialization company with the analysis and development of wax and specialty products offloading strategies, options, and economics.
• Co-chaired U.S. DOE sanctioned conference on GTL technology and economics for recipients of ARPA-E energy research and development awards.
• Performed light petrochemicals and feedstocks separation and purification technology study for the manufacture of ethylene and propylene via novel technology.
• Developed integrated downstream refining and separations process for novel petrochemical feedstock technology. Included technology evaluations, HYSYS process modeling and integration, technology sorting, notional CAPEX, and final process recommendation. Study Report Book used in design of commercial demonstration facility.
• Assisted top U.S. energy firm in operational and analytical developments in order to improve refinery operation energy efficiency and carbon emission minimization.
• Assisted Fortune 50 firm in evaluation of biorefining options for the production of clean fuels and high-value chemicals from primary agricultural feedstocks.
• Developed conceptual design for the cryogenic recovery of propylene and pentenes as alkylation unit feedstocks for a post-capacity-increased 150 MBD refinery in order to meet Tier II product specifications. Included HYSYS process simulation and complete design book.

Coastal Corporation, Principal Engineer-Consultant, (Technology-New Business), 1995 - 1999

• Client representative for conceptual design of $500 million greenfield refinery in Venezuela which included, among others, crude units, delayed coking, gasoline hydrodesulfurization, and sulfur recovery and handling. Led team in preparing RFP/RFQs, guided technology and EPC firms through the process of providing proposals and designs for incorporation into the overall process, and evaluated responses. Developed process, utilities, and offsites designs, schedules, operating and capital economics. Closely integrated with transportation (pipelines, shipping) and upstream.
• Prepared technical proposal and business case for Fluid Catalytic Cracker (FCC) hardware revamp and navigated $4 million project through Board approval. Key liaison during design, execution, and troubleshooting. Implemented successfully with short-time payout.
• Steered refinery committee responsible for analyzing, recommending, and implementing FCC operating and capital options. Realized benefit in excess of $1 million.
• Performed strategic analysis of refinery light gas upgrading hardware options and presented at highest corporate levels. Team recommendations approved, $20 million construction completed and in operation.
• Performed economic and technical analyses for a variety of refining and petrochemical plants throughout the U.S. and internationally. These include a Russian refinery, a U.S. Gulf Coast ethylene glycol facility, and a western U.S. Asphalt, Lube, Wax plant.
• Evaluated a variety of processes using computer models, small-scale testing, preliminary process design, and economic feasibility analysis. These processes include:
• Crude unit (incl. desalter and heat balance)
• Visbreaker
• Delayed coker
• Naphtha hydrotreater
• Lube oil dewaxing
• Asphalt manufacture
• Polymer and refinery grade propane production
• Gas recovery train (incl. deC4 and deC3)
• Amine recovery unit
• Sour water stripping
• Sulfur recovery and tail gas unit
• Hydrogen unit
• Utilities and offsites
• Storage and transportation strategy

Mobil Corporation, Senior Staff Engineer-Research Engineer, Process R&D Division, 1990 - 1995

• Member of team which developed refinery FCC hardware retrofits for improved stripper operations and increased gasoline production. Successfully implemented at five locations (cost less than $500K, payout approx. $1.8 million per year) and offered for licensing.
• Provided first-line technical support (including on-site testing, computer modeling, vendor coordination) to refinery FCC units in the Middle East, Japan, Europe, Australia, and U.S. resulting in operational improvements and catalyst cost savings.
• Led a number of testruns and studies of operation of FCC regenerators, strippers, reactors, standpipes, and transfer line sections. Included commercial testruns, theoretical analyses, cold flow and radioactive tracer and scanning studies.
• Implemented desktop computer application module at refinery allowing low-risk FCC optimization tests. Trained personnel in use and troubleshooting.
• Developed and spearheaded implementation of first systematic performance metrics at site. Used as model for implementation by other departments.
• Co-invented step-out zeolitic technology for manufacture of isobutylene, a key petrochemical and MTBE feedstock. Studies included detailed experimental and theoretical analysis. Closely worked with catalyst design team to develop materials with improved surface and pore properties.
• Led research and development project, and participated in commercialization joint venture. Obtained substantial patent coverage, U.S. and worldwide, to ensure licensing dominance.

Honors & Publications

Academic and Professional Affiliations

• Fuels and Petrochemicals Division of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (Director)
• State Bar of Texas - Oil, Gas and Mineral Law Section (associate member)
• International Association for Energy Economics-Houston
• XTL & DME InstituteSM (Director 201)
• Sigma Xi (elected full member)

Publications

• Author-Co-Author of numerous publications and presentations addressing:
• Gas-to-Liquid Technologies
• Limitations of Gas-to-Liquid Technology
• Developing Premium Markets for Gas To Liquid Products
• Coal-to-Liquids: Technology, Commercialization
• FCC Common Problems-Resolutions

Education

• Ph.D. Chemical Engineering, University of Columbia, New York, NY
• M.S. Chemical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA
• B.S. Chemical Engineering, University of California, San Diego, CA