I Need Engineers

An off-topic post to be sure, but I need to find some engineers who want an opportunity to get rich while working in a ‘green’ job. My company, Accsys Technologies PLC, is looking for more engineers to support our Accoya® business. You can see a complete listing of our job openings here. However, what I am looking for is more specific.

I need process engineers, from fresh out of school to highly experienced. I need people who are prepared, at least for the first six months, to spend two weeks a month in the Netherlands working for our Titan Wood division and learning our wood acetylation process. For WWII buffs the city is Arnhem, home of Operation Market Garden (aka A Bridge Too Far).

These positions report to me, and I am very picky. I have gone through 100 resumes to find the right person. So let me be very specific on what I need. My ideal junior candidate will have a chemical engineering degree, a high GPA, some work experience, an interest in sustainability, an interest in travel and other cultures, the ability to get along with diverse groups of people, and most importantly they will be a creative thinker with the drive to see their solutions implemented. I am looking for inventive solutions to unusual problems. The person will be tenacious, but respectful. They will be persuasive without being overly pushy. They will demand high standards from themselves. Our process doesn’t exist commercially anywhere else in the world, so you will see some problems that are unique from a chemical engineering perspective.

My ideal senior candidate will have design experience. They will understand mass & energy balances, equipment sizing, PFDs, P&IDs, and will have been involved in some major projects. This candidate will help support the design and construction of the Diamond Wood facility in China, followed by the Al Rajhi facility in the Middle East. They will also help mentor and develop the junior engineers, who may be involved in unit support, or helping to support the new facilities. They will be able to assume the lead position when I am away.

For legal reasons, I am advised that applicants must be either U.S. citizens or hold a green card for positions that will be based in Dallas, Texas. Separately, I am looking for applicants who are authorized to work in the Netherlands. I think this includes citizens of all EU countries. This position will be based in Arnhem.

I don’t want to sort through a bunch of resumes, so let me provide some guidance. For entry-level engineers, if your GPA is not on your resume, I will ask you about it. I will ask for references. I will call your professors to find out their opinion of your ability. I am looking for people who excelled in their science and engineering classes. I am looking for someone who, without any references, can approximate the answer to this question: If you dropped a cannon ball from the surface over the deepest part of the ocean, how long would it take to reach the bottom? And they will understand why I asked that sort of question.

If I haven’t scared you off, and you are prepared to be shipped to Europe right away, look up my e-mail address in my CV and e-mail me a copy of your CV and any questions you might have. You may also feel free to ask general questions following this post. If your qualifications look like what I have described, I will call you back.

My CV

Updated 3/4/2007

Or if you prefer, my resume.

I want to emphasize that I am not looking for a job. But people sometimes ask me for my CV or resume, or they want to know more about my work background. Please don’t circulate it. If you wish to contact me, my e-mail address is listed.

Note that this CV does not reflect that I have written extensively on the topic of energy, nor that I have contributed numerous articles to various publications, including the chapter on renewable diesel for an alternative energy book scheduled to be published in 2008. A sampling of those extras not on my resume include varying degrees of technical consulting for the following:

A biodiesel plant planned for the Democratic Republic of the Congo
An energy-integrated grain ethanol plant in the U.S.
Two biomass gasification facilities
An ethanol plant planned for Malaysia
A novel bio-butanol process proposed for SE Asia
A proposed cellulosic ethanol plant for Europe
A proposed U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) funded ethanol/butanol plant
A study to double the energy return for corn ethanol production in the U.S.

—————————————

CURRICULUM VITAE

NAME:

Robert Rapier

ADDRESS:

(edited), Arnhem, the Netherlands.

CONTACT INFO:

My Email

NATIONALITY:

U.S.

EDUCATION:

Master of Science in Chemical Engineering Texas A&M University, College Station, TX in May 1995 GPA: 3.63/4.00

Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Mathematics (double major), Texas A&M University, Commerce, TX in May 1995 GPA: 3.63/4.00

SUMMARY:

Seventeen years of engineering experience in the chemicals and oil and gas industries across a wide range of fossil fuel and biofuels technologies, including refining, natural gas production, gas-to-liquids, ethanol production, and butanol production. I have experience in R&D, process, production, and design. Experience includes international assignments in Germany, Scotland, and the Netherlands. Graduate school experience involved the biological conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into chemicals. I have received multiple patents for my work. Additional experience includes extensive consulting and writing on various alternative energy technologies.

WORK HISTORY:

03.08 – Present; Accsys Technologies, London, UK; Engineering Director

• Responsible for global engineering in the organization.

01.07 – 03.08; ConocoPhillips, Aberdeen, UK; Process Engineering Team Leader

• Led large international team tasked with executing projects in the North Sea sector.
• Planned, prioritized, and assigned the work load for the team.
• Recruited, interviewed, and hired new engineers into the group.
• Prepared estimates, schedules, and project execution plans.
• Ultimately responsible for the quality of all work produced by the team.
• Served as technical advisor for the emergency response team.
• Conducted semi-annual performance appraisals for all team members.
• BOSIET certified

05.04 – 01.07; ConocoPhillips, Billings, Montana; LP and Models Engineer

• Utilized Aspen Orion for refinery scheduling and planning.
• Interfaced with commercial group to develop short and long-term operating plans.
• Monitored key process indicators for all process units on a weekly basis.
• Served as primary backup for product blender and scheduler.
• Implemented control plan for Six Sigma project on crude oil quality.
• Provided technical/economic input on corporate alternative fuel interests.
• Provided testimony to the legislature on a proposed ethanol mandate.
• Published numerous articles on various alternative energy technologies.

03.02 – 05.04; ConocoPhillips, Ponca City, Oklahoma; Senior Staff Engineer

• Provided technical support for the development of gas-to-liquids (GTL) technology.
• Served as Technical Lead for ethane oxidative dehydrogenation project.
• Invented a breakthrough process that enabled the first ever ultra-high-pressure ethane oxidative dehydrogenation. This significantly improved project economics, and I received a Special Recognition Award as a result.
• Supervised a team of technicians and chemical engineers.
• Submitted 20 invention records, of which 6 are in various stages of patenting.
• Developed Excel spreadsheets for acquisition and analysis of process data.

05.01 – 03.02; Celanese, Clear Lake, Texas; Six Sigma Black Belt

• Provided technical direction for acrylic acid and acrylic acid esters units.
• Trained in Six Sigma methodology and completed Six Sigma Black Belt program.
• Served as mentor for two Six Sigma Green Belts.
• Led two successful Six Sigma teams. The results of our efforts led to a decrease in plant energy usage of $2 million/yr.

06.99 – 05.01; Celanese, Oberhausen, Germany; Production Engineer

• Provided technical support for the butyraldehyde, butanol, and 2-ethyl hexanol units.
• Conceived and designed a novel new butanol unit that was estimated to reduce production costs by $5.4 million/yr. Led team through successful piloting of the design, for which I received a patent.
• Designed advanced process control systems for several distillation towers.

06.97 – 06.99; Celanese, Bay City, Texas; Senior Process Engineer

• Provided technical direction for the butanol, propanol, and POX units.
• Engineered distillation modifications that reduced variable steam usage by 30% and increased butanol capacity by 20%. This was achieved at no capital cost.
• Designed and commissioned a new butyraldehyde distillation system.
• Recommended changes in the butanol production system which led to a 5% overall increase in propylene to butanol efficiency. The total value in energy costs, capacity increases, and propylene efficiency was approximately $9 million/yr.
• Decreased the process waste streams by 75%.
• Provided all process support for a $6 MM expansion of the butanol unit and a $20 MM conversion of POX reactors from fuel oil to natural gas.

05.95 – 06.97; Celanese, Corpus Christi, Texas; Development Engineer

• Provided technical support for butanol and propanol units.
• Modified a butanol distillation system and avoided a $5 million capital expenditure.
• Developed Aspen Plus models for a butanol purification system, a POX reactor, a synthesis gas purification system, and a butyraldehyde splitter.
• Operated a butanol distillation pilot unit.

01.94 – 05.95; Texas A&M University, College Station, TX; Research Assistant

• Instructed students in chemical engineering unit operations.
• Designed and operated a series of bio-reactors used to convert municipal solid waste and wastewater sludge into mixed organic acids and alcohols.
• Supervised interns engaged in experiments in the biomass lab.

08.91 – 01.94; Texas A&M University, College Station, TX; Teaching Assistant

• Prepared and delivered chemistry lectures each week.
• Supervised students in the lab and tutored them in general and analytical chemistry.
• Performed research in mass spectrometry instrument development.

07.86 – 08.91; Campbell Soup Company, Paris, TX; Lab Technician

• Managed quality control lab during night shift while attending school full-time.
• Collected samples from production lines.
• Performed analytical and bacteriological tests.

PATENTS:

Granted Patents

US Patent 7,067,455 – Copper modified catalysts for oxidative dehydrogenation
US Patent 7,074,977 – Reactor and process for converting alkanes to alkenes
US Patent 7,087,795 – Method for the production of aldehydes

Pending Patents

US Application 20060143980 – Reactor and process for making synthesis gas
US Application 20040138060 – Stabilized alumina supports, catalysts made therefrom, and their use in partial oxidation

Miscellaneous Patents

US 7,087,795 has also been granted in Germany (DE10160368), by the European Patent Office (EP1456162), in South Africa (2004/3935), and is pending in Japan (2003551096) and in South Korea (2003551096).

ACADEMIC AWARDS:

Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge (for biomass conversion to chemicals)
Texas A&M Regent’ Fellowship
Texas Institute of Chemist’s Award
Undergraduate Award in Analytical Chemistry
Robert A. Welch Fellowship

INTERESTS:

Energy and sustainability issues, hiking, biking, writing, travel

My CV

Updated 7/14/2008

Or if you prefer, my resume.

I want to emphasize that I am not looking for a job. But people sometimes ask me for my CV or resume, or they want to know more about my work background. Please don’t circulate it. If you wish to contact me, my e-mail address is listed.

Note that this CV does not reflect the articles and book chapters I have written on the topic of energy. I have written articles for a number of publications, and I wrote the chapter on renewable diesel for Biofuels, Solar and Wind as Renewable Energy Systems: Benefits and Risks. I am also in the process of writing the Biofuels/Bioenergy chapter for a sustainable development book to be published in 2009. My work is also referenced in several books, including Gusher of Lies and Profit from the Peak.

A sampling of other extras not on my resume include varying degrees of technical consulting for the following:

A biodiesel plant planned for the Democratic Republic of the Congo
An energy-integrated grain ethanol plant in the U.S.
Two biomass gasification facilities
An ethanol plant planned for Malaysia
A novel bio-butanol process proposed for SE Asia
A proposed cellulosic ethanol plant for Europe
A proposed U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) funded ethanol/butanol plant
A study to double the energy return for corn ethanol production in the U.S.

—————————————

CURRICULUM VITAE

NAME:

Robert Rapier

ADDRESS:

My time is split between Dallas, Texas and Arnhem, the Netherlands.

CONTACT INFO:

My Email

NATIONALITY:

U.S.

EDUCATION:

Master of Science in Chemical Engineering Texas A&M University, College Station, TX in May 1995 GPA: 3.63/4.00

Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Mathematics (double major), Texas A&M University, Commerce, TX in May 1995 GPA: 3.93/4.00

SUMMARY:

Seventeen years of engineering experience in the chemicals and oil and gas industries across a wide range of fossil fuel and biofuels technologies, including refining, natural gas production, gas-to-liquids, ethanol production, and butanol production. I have experience in R&D, process, production, and design. My experience includes international assignments in Germany, Scotland, and the Netherlands. My graduate school experience involved the biological conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into chemicals. I have received multiple patents for my work. Additional experience includes extensive consulting and writing on various alternative energy technologies.

WORK HISTORY:

03.08 – Present; Accsys Technologies PLC, London, UK; Projects, Engineering, and Development Director

• Serve as Director of Projects, Engineering, and Development.
• Report directly to the CEO of Accsys Technologies.
• Responsible for global engineering excellence in the organization.
• Plan, prioritize, and assign the work load for the team.
• Recruit, interview, and hire new staff.
• Direct the research and development of the organization.

01.07 – 03.08; ConocoPhillips, Aberdeen, UK; Process Engineering Team Leader

• Led large international team tasked with executing projects in the North Sea sector.
• Planned, prioritized, and assigned the work load for the team.
• Recruited, interviewed, and hired new engineers into the group.
• Prepared estimates, schedules, and project execution plans.
• Ultimately responsible for the quality of all work produced by the team.
• Served as technical advisor for the emergency response team.
• Conducted semi-annual performance appraisals for all team members.
• BOSIET certified

05.04 – 01.07; ConocoPhillips, Billings, Montana; LP and Models Engineer

• Utilized Aspen Orion for refinery scheduling and planning.
• Interfaced with commercial group to develop short and long-term operating plans.
• Monitored key process indicators for all process units on a weekly basis.
• Served as primary backup for product blender and scheduler.
• Implemented control plan for Six Sigma project on crude oil quality.
• Provided technical/economic input on corporate alternative fuel interests.
• Provided testimony to the legislature on a proposed ethanol mandate.
• Published numerous articles on various alternative energy technologies.

03.02 – 05.04; ConocoPhillips, Ponca City, Oklahoma; Senior Staff Engineer

• Provided technical support for the development of gas-to-liquids (GTL) technology. Primary responsibility was on the gasification step.
• Served as Technical Lead for ethane oxidative dehydrogenation project.
• Invented a breakthrough process that enabled the first ever ultra-high-pressure ethane oxidative dehydrogenation. This significantly improved project economics, and I received a Special Recognition Award as a result.
• Supervised a team of technicians and chemical engineers.
• Submitted 20 invention records, of which 6 are in various stages of patenting.
• Developed Excel spreadsheets for acquisition and analysis of process data.

05.01 – 03.02; Celanese, Clear Lake, Texas; Six Sigma Black Belt

• Provided technical direction for acrylic acid and acrylic acid esters units.
• Trained in Six Sigma methodology and completed Six Sigma Black Belt program.
• Served as mentor for two Six Sigma Green Belts.
• Led two successful Six Sigma teams. The results of our efforts led to a decrease in plant energy usage of $2 million/yr.

06.99 – 05.01; Celanese, Oberhausen, Germany; Production Engineer

• Provided technical support for the butyraldehyde, butanol, and 2-ethyl hexanol units.
• Conceived and designed a novel new butanol unit that was estimated to reduce production costs by $5.4 million/yr. Led team through successful piloting of the design, for which I received a patent.
• Designed advanced process control systems for several distillation towers.

06.97 – 06.99; Celanese, Bay City, Texas; Senior Process Engineer

• Provided technical direction for the butanol, propanol, and POX units.
• Engineered distillation modifications that reduced variable steam usage by 30% and increased butanol capacity by 20%. This was achieved at no capital cost.
• Designed and commissioned a new butyraldehyde distillation system.
• Recommended changes in the butanol production system which led to a 5% overall increase in propylene to butanol efficiency. The total value in energy costs, capacity increases, and propylene efficiency was approximately $9 million/yr.
• Decreased the process waste streams by 75%.
• Provided all process support for a $6 MM expansion of the butanol unit and a $20 MM conversion of POX reactors from fuel oil to natural gas.

05.95 – 06.97; Celanese, Corpus Christi, Texas; Development Engineer

• Provided technical support for butanol and propanol units.
• Modified a butanol distillation system and avoided a $5 million capital expenditure.
• Developed Aspen Plus models for a butanol purification system, a POX reactor, a synthesis gas purification system, and a butyraldehyde splitter.
• Operated a butanol distillation pilot unit.

01.94 – 05.95; Texas A&M University, College Station, TX; Research Assistant

• Instructed students in chemical engineering unit operations.
• Designed and operated a series of bio-reactors used to convert municipal solid waste and wastewater sludge into mixed organic acids and alcohols.
• Supervised interns engaged in experiments in the biomass lab.

08.91 – 01.94; Texas A&M University, College Station, TX; Teaching Assistant

• Prepared and delivered chemistry lectures each week.
• Supervised students in the lab and tutored them in general and analytical chemistry.
• Performed research in mass spectrometry instrument development.

07.86 – 08.91; Campbell Soup Company, Paris, TX; Lab Technician

• Managed quality control lab during night shift while attending school full-time.
• Collected samples from production lines.
• Performed analytical and bacteriological tests.

PATENTS:

Granted Patents

US Patent 7,067,455 – Copper modified catalysts for oxidative dehydrogenation
US Patent 7,074,977 – Reactor and process for converting alkanes to alkenes
US Patent 7,087,795 – Method for the production of aldehydes
US Patent 7,381,230 – Reactor and process for making synthesis gas

Pending Patents

US Application 20060143980 – Reactor and process for making synthesis gas

Miscellaneous Patents

US 7,087,795 has also been granted in Germany (DE10160368), by the European Patent Office (EP1456162), in South Africa (2004/3935), and is pending in Japan (2003551096) and in South Korea (2003551096).

ACADEMIC AWARDS:

Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Winner (for cellulose conversion to chemicals)
Texas A&M Regents’ Fellowship
National Dean’s List
Alpha Chi Honor Society
American Institute of Chemists Award for Outstanding Graduating Senior
American Chemical Society Award for Outstanding Analytical Chemistry Student
Robert A. Welch Fellowship

INTERESTS:

Energy and sustainability issues, hiking, biking, writing, travel

My CV

Updated 9/2/2009

Or if you prefer, my resume.

I want to emphasize that I am not looking for a job. But people sometimes ask me for my CV or resume, or they want to know more about my work background. Please don’t circulate it. If you wish to contact me, my e-mail address is listed.

Note that this CV does not reflect the articles and book chapters I have written on the topic of energy. I have written articles for a number of publications, and I wrote the chapter on renewable diesel for Biofuels, Solar and Wind as Renewable Energy Systems: Benefits and Risks. I am also in the process of writing the Biofuels/Bioenergy chapter for a sustainable development book to be published in 2009. My work is also referenced in several books, including Gusher of Lies and Profit from the Peak.

A sampling of other extras not on my resume include varying degrees of technical consulting for the following:

A biodiesel plant planned for the Democratic Republic of the Congo
An energy-integrated grain ethanol plant in the U.S.
Two biomass gasification facilities
An ethanol plant planned for Malaysia
A novel bio-butanol process proposed for SE Asia
A proposed cellulosic ethanol plant for Europe
A proposed U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) funded ethanol/butanol plant
A study to double the energy return for corn ethanol production in the U.S.

—————————————

CURRICULUM VITAE

NAME:

Robert Rapier

LOCATION:

Hawaii

CONTACT INFO:

My Email

NATIONALITY:

U.S.

EDUCATION:

Master of Science in Chemical Engineering Texas A&M University, College Station, TX in May 1995 GPA: 3.63/4.00

Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Mathematics (double major), Texas A&M University, Commerce, TX in May 1995 GPA: 3.93/4.00

SUMMARY:

Eighteen years of engineering experience in the chemicals and oil and gas industries across a wide range of fossil fuel and biofuels technologies, including refining, natural gas production, gas-to-liquids, ethanol production, and butanol production. I have experience in R&D, process, production, and design. My experience includes international assignments in Germany, Scotland, and the Netherlands. My graduate school experience involved the biological conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into chemicals. I have received multiple patents for my work. Additional experience includes extensive consulting and writing on various alternative energy technologies.

WORK HISTORY:

03.08 – 08.09; Accsys Technologies PLC, London, UK; Projects, Engineering, and Development Director

• Serve as Director of Projects, Engineering, and Development.
• Report directly to the CEO of Accsys Technologies.
• Responsible for global engineering excellence in the organization.
• Plan, prioritize, and assign the work load for the team.
• Recruit, interview, and hire new staff.
• Direct the research and development of the organization.

01.07 – 03.08; ConocoPhillips, Aberdeen, UK; Process Engineering Team Leader

• Led large international team tasked with executing projects in the North Sea sector.
• Planned, prioritized, and assigned the work load for the team.
• Recruited, interviewed, and hired new engineers into the group.
• Prepared estimates, schedules, and project execution plans.
• Ultimately responsible for the quality of all work produced by the team.
• Served as technical advisor for the emergency response team.
• Conducted semi-annual performance appraisals for all team members.
• BOSIET certified

05.04 – 01.07; ConocoPhillips, Billings, Montana; LP and Models Engineer

• Utilized Aspen Orion for refinery scheduling and planning.
• Interfaced with commercial group to develop short and long-term operating plans.
• Monitored key process indicators for all process units on a weekly basis.
• Served as primary backup for product blender and scheduler.
• Implemented control plan for Six Sigma project on crude oil quality.
• Provided technical/economic input on corporate alternative fuel interests.
• Provided testimony to the legislature on a proposed ethanol mandate.
• Published numerous articles on various alternative energy technologies.

03.02 – 05.04; ConocoPhillips, Ponca City, Oklahoma; Senior Staff Engineer

• Provided technical support for the development of gas-to-liquids (GTL) technology. Primary responsibility was on the gasification step.
• Served as Technical Lead for ethane oxidative dehydrogenation project.
• Invented a breakthrough process that enabled the first ever ultra-high-pressure ethane oxidative dehydrogenation. This significantly improved project economics, and I received a Special Recognition Award as a result.
• Supervised a team of technicians and chemical engineers.
• Submitted 20 invention records, of which 6 are in various stages of patenting.
• Developed Excel spreadsheets for acquisition and analysis of process data.

05.01 – 03.02; Celanese, Clear Lake, Texas; Six Sigma Black Belt

• Provided technical direction for acrylic acid and acrylic acid esters units.
• Trained in Six Sigma methodology and completed Six Sigma Black Belt program.
• Served as mentor for two Six Sigma Green Belts.
• Led two successful Six Sigma teams. The results of our efforts led to a decrease in plant energy usage of $2 million/yr.

06.99 – 05.01; Celanese, Oberhausen, Germany; Production Engineer

• Provided technical support for the butyraldehyde, butanol, and 2-ethyl hexanol units.
• Conceived and designed a novel new butanol unit that was estimated to reduce production costs by $5.4 million/yr. Led team through successful piloting of the design, for which I received a patent.
• Designed advanced process control systems for several distillation towers.

06.97 – 06.99; Celanese, Bay City, Texas; Senior Process Engineer

• Provided technical direction for the butanol, propanol, and POX units.
• Engineered distillation modifications that reduced variable steam usage by 30% and increased butanol capacity by 20%. This was achieved at no capital cost.
• Designed and commissioned a new butyraldehyde distillation system.
• Recommended changes in the butanol production system which led to a 5% overall increase in propylene to butanol efficiency. The total value in energy costs, capacity increases, and propylene efficiency was approximately $9 million/yr.
• Decreased the process waste streams by 75%.
• Provided all process support for a $6 MM expansion of the butanol unit and a $20 MM conversion of POX reactors from fuel oil to natural gas.

05.95 – 06.97; Celanese, Corpus Christi, Texas; Development Engineer

• Provided technical support for butanol and propanol units.
• Modified a butanol distillation system and avoided a $5 million capital expenditure.
• Developed Aspen Plus models for a butanol purification system, a POX reactor, a synthesis gas purification system, and a butyraldehyde splitter.
• Operated a butanol distillation pilot unit.

01.94 – 05.95; Texas A&M University, College Station, TX; Research Assistant

• Instructed students in chemical engineering unit operations.
• Designed and operated a series of bio-reactors used to convert municipal solid waste and wastewater sludge into mixed organic acids and alcohols.
• Supervised interns engaged in experiments in the biomass lab.

08.91 – 01.94; Texas A&M University, College Station, TX; Teaching Assistant

• Prepared and delivered chemistry lectures each week.
• Supervised students in the lab and tutored them in general and analytical chemistry.
• Performed research in mass spectrometry instrument development.

07.86 – 08.91; Campbell Soup Company, Paris, TX; Lab Technician

• Managed quality control lab during night shift while attending school full-time.
• Collected samples from production lines.
• Performed analytical and bacteriological tests.

PATENTS:

Granted Patents

US Patent 7,067,455 – Copper modified catalysts for oxidative dehydrogenation
US Patent 7,074,977 – Reactor and process for converting alkanes to alkenes
US Patent 7,087,795 – Method for the production of aldehydes
US Patent 7,381,230 – Reactor and process for making synthesis gas

Pending Patents

US Application 20060143980 – Reactor and process for making synthesis gas

Miscellaneous Patents

US 7,087,795 has also been granted in Germany (DE10160368), by the European Patent Office (EP1456162), in South Africa (2004/3935), and is pending in Japan (2003551096) and in South Korea (2003551096).

ACADEMIC AWARDS:

Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Winner (for cellulose conversion to chemicals)
Texas A&M Regents’ Fellowship
National Dean’s List
Alpha Chi Honor Society
American Institute of Chemists Award for Outstanding Graduating Senior
American Chemical Society Award for Outstanding Analytical Chemistry Student
Robert A. Welch Fellowship

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS:

2008 Invited Plenary Speaker, American Society of Peak Oil Annual Conference
2009 Invited Speaker, Energy Information Administration Annual Conference

INTERESTS:

Energy and sustainability issues, hiking, biking, writing, travel

My Resume

Updated 11/9/2007

Or if you prefer, my CV.

I want to emphasize that I am not looking for a job. But people sometimes ask me for my CV or resume, or they want to know more about my work background. Please don’t circulate it. If you wish to contact me, my e-mail address is listed.

Note that this resume does not reflect that I have written extensively on the topic of energy, nor that I have contributed numerous articles to various publications, including the chapter on renewable diesel for an alternative energy book scheduled to be published in 2008. A sampling of those extras not on my resume include varying degrees of technical consulting for the following:

A biodiesel plant planned for the Democratic Republic of the Congo
An energy-integrated grain ethanol plant in the U.S.
Two biomass gasification facilities
An ethanol plant planned for Malaysia
A novel bio-butanol process proposed for SE Asia
A proposed cellulosic ethanol plant for Europe
A proposed U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) funded ethanol/butanol plant
A study to double the energy return for corn ethanol production in the U.S.

—————————————

ROBERT RAPIER
(address edited), Arnhem, the Netherlands.
My Email

EDUCATION

Master of Science, Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX in May 1995 GPA: 3.63/4.00

Bachelor of Science, Chemistry/Mathematics (double major), Texas A&M University, Commerce, TX in May 1991 GPA: 3.93/4.00 (4.00 in math and science courses, all achieved while holding down a full-time job).

EXPERIENCE

CEO Staff Group; Accsys Technologies; London, UK; (March 2008-present)

• Presently serving as Engineering Director for the company.

Brownfield Modifications Group; ConocoPhillips; Aberdeen, UK; (Jan 2007-March 2008)

• Served as Process Engineering Team Leader.
• Managed a large international team tasked with executing projects in the North Sea sector.
• Recruited, interviewed, and hired new engineers into the group.
• Planned, prioritized, and assigned the work load for the team.
• Prepared estimates, schedules, and project execution plans.
• Ultimately responsible for the quality of all work produced by the team.
• Served as technical advisor for the emergency response team.
• Conducted semi-annual performance appraisals for all team members.
• BOSIET certified

Planning & Economics Group; ConocoPhillips; Billings, MT; (May 2004-Jan 2007)

• Utilized Aspen Orion software for refinery scheduling and planning.
• Interfaced with the commercial group to develop short and long-term operating plans.
• Monitored key process indicators for all process units on a weekly basis.
• Served as primary backup for product blender and scheduler.
• Implemented control plan for Six Sigma project on crude oil quality.
• Provided technical/economic recommendations on company-wide alternative fuel interests.
• Provided expert testimony to the legislature on a proposed statewide ethanol mandate.
• Published numerous articles evaluating various alternative energy technologies.

Downstream Technology; ConocoPhillips; Ponca City, OK; (March 2002-May 2004)

• Provided technical support for the development of gas-to-liquids (GTL) technology.
• Served as Technical Team Lead for ethane oxidative dehydrogenation project.
• Invented a breakthrough process that enabled the first ever ultra-high-pressure ethane oxidative dehydrogenation. This breakthrough significantly improved project economics, and I received a Special Recognition Award as a result.
• Supervised a team of technicians and chemical engineers.
• Submitted approximately 20 invention records, of which 6 are in various stages of patenting.
• Developed Excel spreadsheets for the acquisition and analysis of process data.

Acrylates Staff; Celanese; Clear Lake, TX; (May 2001- March 2002)

• Provided technical support and leadership for the acrylic acid and acrylic acid esters units.
• Trained in Six Sigma methodology and completed Six Sigma Black Belt program.
• Served as mentor for two Six Sigma Green Belts.
• Led two successful Six Sigma teams. The results of our efforts led to a decrease in plant energy usage of $2 million/yr.

OXO Production; Celanese; Oberhausen, Germany; (June 1999-May 2001)

• Provided technical support for the butyraldehyde, butanol, and 2-ethyl hexanol units.
• Conceived and designed a novel new butanol unit that was estimated to reduce production costs by $5.4 million/yr. Led team through successful piloting of the design, and ultimately granted a patent for the process.
• Designed advanced process control systems for several distillation towers.
• Implemented a new process monitoring system that enabled the units to be monitored remotely over the Internet.

OXO Technical Group; Celanese; Bay City, TX; (June 1997-June 1999)

• Provided technical support and direction for the butanol, propanol, and partial oxidation units.
• Engineered distillation modifications that reduced variable steam usage by 30% and increased butanol capacity by 20%. This was achieved at no capital cost.
• Designed and commissioned a new butyraldehyde distillation system.
• Recommended changes in the butanol production system which led to a 5% overall increase in propylene to butanol efficiency. The total value in energy costs, capacity increases, and propylene efficiency was approximately $9 million/yr.
• Decreased the process waste streams by 75%.
• Provided all process support for a $6 MM expansion of the butanol unit and a $20 MM conversion of POX reactors from fuel oil to natural gas. Supervised a team of contractors.

OXO R&D Group; Celanese, Corpus Christi, TX; (May 1995-June 1997)

• Provided technical support for butanol and propanol units.
• Modified a butanol distillation system and avoided a $5 million capital expenditure.
• Developed Aspen Plus models for a butanol purification system, a POX reactor, a synthesis gas purification system, and a butyraldehyde splitter.
• Successfully piloted a new butanol distillation.

Department of Chemical Engineering; Texas A&M University, College Station, TX; (Jan. 1994-May 1995)

• Instructed students in chemical engineering unit operations.
• Designed and operated a series of bio-reactors used to convert municipal solid waste and wastewater sludge into mixed organic acids and alcohols.
• Supervised interns engaged in experiments in the biomass lab.
• Received the Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award for this work.

Department of Chemistry; Texas A&M University, College Station, TX; (Aug. 1991 – June 1994)

• Instructed students in the fundamentals of chemistry.
• Prepared and delivered lectures each week.
• Supervised students in the lab and tutored them in general and analytical chemistry.
• Performed research in mass spectrometry instrument development.

Quality Control Lab; Campbell Soup Company, Paris, TX; (July 1986 – Aug. 1991)

• Managed quality control lab during third shift production while attending school full-time.
• Collected samples from production lines.
• Performed analytical and bacteriological tests.
• Presented ideas for plant improvements to management and engineers.
• Received seven commendations for exceptional performance.

PATENTS

Granted Patents

• US Patent 7,067,455 – Copper modified catalysts for oxidative dehydrogenation
• US Patent 7,074,977 – Reactor and process for converting alkanes to alkenes
• US Patent 7,087,795 – Method for the production of aldehydes

Pending Patents

• US Application 20060143980 – Reactor and process for making synthesis gas
• US Application 20040138060 – Stabilized alumina supports, catalysts made therefrom, and their use in partial oxidation

Miscellaneous Patents

US 7,087,795 has also been granted in Germany (DE10160368), by the European Patent Office (EP1456162), in South Africa (2004/3935), and is pending in Japan (2003551096) and in South Korea (2003551096).

ACADEMIC HONORS

Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Winner (for cellulose conversion to chemicals)
Texas A&M Regents’ Fellowship
National Dean’s List
Alpha Chi Honor Society
Texas Institute of Chemist’s Award
Undergraduate Award in Analytical Chemistry
Robert A. Welch Fellowship

My Resume

Updated 4/10/2009

Or if you prefer, my CV, which has more specific details on patents and professional accomplishments.

In a nutshell, my passions are energy, the environment, and sustainability. I have worked on a wide variety of energy projects – both conventional and renewable – in several different countries. In my spare time I write about my passions primarily in an attempt to influence the discourse over our energy policy. A major interest of mine is to find ways to better utilize the waste biomass throughout the world that is currently burned or land-filled.

Note that due to the importance of protecting the intellectual property and company interests in my current job, I have omitted specific details from this resume on several aspects of the job (e.g., exact cost savings from process improvements).

——————————————————————————-

ROBERT RAPIER

Address: Split between Dallas and Arnhem, the Netherlands.

My Email

DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING

Global Management Executive and published author with a track record of coaching internationally diverse, multidisciplinary teams to high performance levels. Experience includes assignments across the U.S. and in multiple European countries. Long record of resolving challenging technical issues and capturing major cost reductions through novel process improvements and optimal deployment of resources. Skilled at creating intellectual property, with five granted patents. An objective and creative thinker proficient across a broad range of energy-related and chemical technologies. Core expertise includes:

• Safety Culture Development/Deployment
• Technology Evaluation
• Resource Optimization/Succession Planning
• Cost Reduction & Profit Optimization
• Staff Training, Mentoring, & Development
• Process & Operational Improvement
• Intellectual Property Creation

Master of Science • Chemical Engineering • Texas A&M University, College Station, TX

Bachelor of Science • Chemistry and Mathematics (dual major) • Texas A&M University

—————————————————————————————————

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

TITAN WOOD (a division of Accsys Technologies PLC), Dallas, TX/Arnhem, Netherlands

Director of Projects, Engineering, & Development – 2008 to Present

Global responsibility for engineering functions within the organization. Responsibilities include engineering support for a facility under development in China, a production facility in the Netherlands, and a global network of multidisciplinary scientists and engineers. Built an engineering team and then oversaw major process improvements in the Dutch facility that increased capacity, reduced energy usage, and decreased waste streams. Represent the company as an invited speaker to conferences and through interviews with the media. Responsible for engineering teams in Dallas and in Arnhem, the Netherlands.

• Built a global engineering organization to support process development, improvements, and design and construction of new facilities.
• Oversaw process improvements that significantly reduced production costs.
• Adopted a highly proactive approach toward the career development of my team.
• Identified missing processes and procedures and drove those through implementation.

CONOCOPHILLIPS CORPORATION, Houston, TX 2002-2008

Engineering Team Leader (U.K.) – 2007 to 2008

Managed a large, international team of engineers in Aberdeen, U.K. Responsibilities included capital project development and execution of oil and natural gas projects in the North Sea. Strong focus on recruiting and developing young engineers, which resulted in the lowest attrition rate among the engineering teams. Focus on process safety resulted in the identification and elimination of several potentially major safety hazards.

• Emphasized a safety culture that resulted in more thorough safety reviews of projects.
• Identified and implemented capital reduction opportunities on projects through a more flexible approach to engineering solutions.
• Focus on career development resulted in a 0% attrition rate in the engineering group.
• Implemented a new system of process checks designed to identify design errors.

Optimization Engineer – 2004 to 2007

Worked within a refinery to optimize process operations. Duties included identifying crude oil varieties that were priced for the maximum financial return to the company. Refinery operating plans, scheduling, and planning were carried out in conjunction with the commercial team. Secondary duties included gasoline blending and turnaround planning.

• Implemented control plan for Six Sigma project on crude oil quality that resulted in a $2.5 MM/yr annual savings.
• Eliminated gasoline blending inefficiencies to capture > $1 million in annual savings.
• Served as a corporate-wide consultant on alternative energy initiatives and testified as an expert witness before the state legislature.

Senior Development Engineer – 2002 to 2004

Responsible for developing intellectual property related to the company’s gas-to-liquids technology development. Interfaced with technical groups and project team for scale-up from the lab to the successful piloting of the technology. Team leader for a project to economically convert ethane to ethylene via novel techniques.

• Worked with project team to conduct piloting experiments for plant design basis.
• Generated 20 invention records and received multiple patents.
• Invented a breakthrough process for ethane conversion to ethylene (U.S. Patent 7,074,977).

CELANESE CORPORATION, Dallas, TX 1995-2002

Six Sigma Black Belt – 2001 to 2002

Part of the initial Six Sigma implementation at Celanese. Led two Six Sigma projects, and mentored two Green Belts. Specialized in energy reduction projects.

• Completed Six Sigma training and executed two projects that resulted in energy savings of $1.8 MM/yr.
• Served as company-wide energy expert.
• Represented the company at university career fairs, recruiting and interviewing prospective employees.

Production Engineer (Germany) – 1999 to 2001

Served as production engineer in Oberhausen, Germany for butyraldehyde, butanol, and 2-ethyl hexanol units. Duties involved unit support and process development. Conceived of and led a project team to successful piloting of a novel butanol process that reduced production costs by $5.4 million/yr and reduced the capital requirements for future units. This work has resulted in receipt of multiple European and U.S. patents (U.S. Patent 7,087,795)

• Invented a novel process that slashed operating costs and capital requirements.
• Initiated and completed a new Internet process monitoring tool.
• Developed spreadsheets that resulted in a better accounting of energy and mass balances.

Senior Process Engineer – 1997 to 1999

Served as process engineer for butanol, propanol, and partial oxidation units. Sole process engineering representative on project teams for major expansions of the butanol and partial oxidation units. Drove a substantial redesign of the butanol unit that pushed Celanese into the position of worldwide low-cost butanol producer.

• Engineered distillation modifications that increased butanol capacity by 20% and reduced energy by 30% at a very low capital cost.
• Served as sole process engineering support on a $6 MM butanol expansion and $20 MM partial oxidation unit conversion from fuel oil to natural gas.
• Modified operating conditions to lower waste stream effluent by 75% while increasing the overall efficiency of propylene utilization by $9 MM/yr.

Development Engineer – 1995 to 1997

Provided technical support for plants engaged in butanol and propanol production. Used simulation software to develop a better understanding of our processes, and also to identify key improvement opportunities. Developed expertise as a company-wide resource on distillation.

• Eliminated a planned $5 MM capital expenditure via a novel process modification.
• Built Aspen Plus simulations of a butanol, propanol, partial oxidation unit, and synthesis gas purification train.
• Drove the successful engineering and installation of a butyraldehyde splitter unit.

EARLY POSITIONS – TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY: Teaching/Research Assistant (1991-95) CAMPBELL SOUP COMPANY: Lab Technician (1986-91)

Miscellaneous

Author of a number of articles on energy and sustainability, including the chapter on renewable diesel for Biofuels, Solar and Wind as Renewable Energy Systems: Benefits and Risks. published in 2008 . Currently in the process of writing the Bioenergy chapter for a sustainable development book to be published in 2009. Essays have been referenced in several books, including Gusher of Lies and Profit from the Peak.

Engaged in ad hoc technical consulting for a number of energy projects, including projects on biodiesel, ethanol (via cellulose, sugarcane, and corn), butanol, and a pair of biomass gasification facilities. Currently investigating opportunities for more efficient utilization of waste biomass.

My Resume

Updated 9/2/2009

Or if you prefer, my CV, which has more specific details on patents and professional accomplishments.

In a nutshell, my passions are energy, the environment, and sustainability. I have worked on a wide variety of energy projects – both conventional and renewable – in several different countries. In my spare time I write about my passions primarily in an attempt to influence the discourse over our energy policy. A major interest of mine is to find ways to better utilize the waste biomass throughout the world that is currently burned or land-filled.

Note that due to the importance of protecting the intellectual property and company interests in my current job, I have omitted specific details from this resume on several aspects of the job (e.g., exact cost savings from process improvements).

——————————————————–

ROBERT RAPIER

Location: Hawaii

My Email

CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER

Global Management Executive and published author with a track record of coaching internationally diverse, multidisciplinary teams to high performance levels. Experience includes assignments across the U.S. and in multiple European countries. Long record of resolving challenging technical issues and capturing major cost reductions through novel process improvements and optimal deployment of resources. Skilled at creating intellectual property, with five granted patents. An objective and creative thinker proficient across a broad range of energy-related and chemical technologies. Core expertise includes:

• Safety Culture Development/Deployment
• Technology Evaluation
• Resource Optimization/Succession Planning
• Cost Reduction & Profit Optimization
• Staff Training, Mentoring, & Development
• Process & Operational Improvement
• Intellectual Property Creation

Master of Science • Chemical Engineering • Texas A&M University, College Station, TX

Bachelor of Science • Chemistry and Mathematics (dual major) • Texas A&M University

—————————————————————————————————

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

TITAN WOOD (a division of Accsys Technologies PLC), Dallas, TX/Arnhem, Netherlands

Director of Projects, Engineering, & Development – 2008 to 2009

Global responsibility for engineering functions within the organization. Responsibilities include engineering support for a facility under development in China, a production facility in the Netherlands, and a global network of multidisciplinary scientists and engineers. Built an engineering team and then oversaw major process improvements in the Dutch facility that increased capacity, reduced energy usage, and decreased waste streams. Represent the company as an invited speaker to conferences and through interviews with the media. Responsible for engineering teams in Dallas and in Arnhem, the Netherlands.

• Built a global engineering organization to support process development, improvements, and design and construction of new facilities.
• Oversaw process improvements that significantly reduced production costs.
• Adopted a highly proactive approach toward the career development of my team.
• Identified missing processes and procedures and drove those through implementation.

CONOCOPHILLIPS CORPORATION, Houston, TX 2002-2008

Engineering Team Leader (U.K.) – 2007 to 2008

Managed a large, international team of engineers in Aberdeen, U.K. Responsibilities included capital project development and execution of oil and natural gas projects in the North Sea. Strong focus on recruiting and developing young engineers, which resulted in the lowest attrition rate among the engineering teams. Focus on process safety resulted in the identification and elimination of several potentially major safety hazards.

• Emphasized a safety culture that resulted in more thorough safety reviews of projects.
• Identified and implemented capital reduction opportunities on projects through a more flexible approach to engineering solutions.
• Focus on career development resulted in a 0% attrition rate in the engineering group.
• Implemented a new system of process checks designed to identify design errors.

Optimization Engineer – 2004 to 2007

Worked within a refinery to optimize process operations. Duties included identifying crude oil varieties that were priced for the maximum financial return to the company. Refinery operating plans, scheduling, and planning were carried out in conjunction with the commercial team. Secondary duties included gasoline blending and turnaround planning.

• Implemented control plan for Six Sigma project on crude oil quality that resulted in a $2.5 MM/yr annual savings.
• Eliminated gasoline blending inefficiencies to capture > $1 million in annual savings.
• Served as a corporate-wide consultant on alternative energy initiatives and testified as an expert witness before the state legislature.

Senior Development Engineer – 2002 to 2004

Responsible for developing intellectual property related to the company’s gas-to-liquids technology development. Interfaced with technical groups and project team for scale-up from the lab to the successful piloting of the technology. Team leader for a project to economically convert ethane to ethylene via novel techniques.

• Worked with project team to conduct piloting experiments for plant design basis.
• Generated 20 invention records and received multiple patents.
• Invented a breakthrough process for ethane conversion to ethylene (U.S. Patent 7,074,977).

CELANESE CORPORATION, Dallas, TX 1995-2002

Six Sigma Black Belt – 2001 to 2002

Part of the initial Six Sigma implementation at Celanese. Led two Six Sigma projects, and mentored two Green Belts. Specialized in energy reduction projects.

• Completed Six Sigma training and executed two projects that resulted in energy savings of $1.8 MM/yr.
• Served as company-wide energy expert.
• Represented the company at university career fairs, recruiting and interviewing prospective employees.

Production Engineer (Germany) – 1999 to 2001

Served as production engineer in Oberhausen, Germany for butyraldehyde, butanol, and 2-ethyl hexanol units. Duties involved unit support and process development. Conceived of and led a project team to successful piloting of a novel butanol process that reduced production costs by $5.4 million/yr and reduced the capital requirements for future units. This work has resulted in receipt of multiple European and U.S. patents (U.S. Patent 7,087,795)

• Invented a novel process that slashed operating costs and capital requirements.
• Initiated and completed a new Internet process monitoring tool.
• Developed spreadsheets that resulted in a better accounting of energy and mass balances.

Senior Process Engineer – 1997 to 1999

Served as process engineer for butanol, propanol, and partial oxidation units. Sole process engineering representative on project teams for major expansions of the butanol and partial oxidation units. Drove a substantial redesign of the butanol unit that pushed Celanese into the position of worldwide low-cost butanol producer.

• Engineered distillation modifications that increased butanol capacity by 20% and reduced energy by 30% at a very low capital cost.
• Served as sole process engineering support on a $6 MM butanol expansion and $20 MM partial oxidation unit conversion from fuel oil to natural gas.
• Modified operating conditions to lower waste stream effluent by 75% while increasing the overall efficiency of propylene utilization by $9 MM/yr.

Development Engineer – 1995 to 1997

Provided technical support for plants engaged in butanol and propanol production. Used simulation software to develop a better understanding of our processes, and also to identify key improvement opportunities. Developed expertise as a company-wide resource on distillation.

• Eliminated a planned $5 MM capital expenditure via a novel process modification.
• Built Aspen Plus simulations of a butanol, propanol, partial oxidation unit, and synthesis gas purification train.
• Drove the successful engineering and installation of a butyraldehyde splitter unit.

EARLY POSITIONS – TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY: Teaching/Research Assistant (1991-95) CAMPBELL SOUP COMPANY: Lab Technician (1986-91)

Miscellaneous

Author of a number of articles on energy and sustainability, including the chapter on renewable diesel for Biofuels, Solar and Wind as Renewable Energy Systems: Benefits and Risks. published in 2008 . Currently in the process of writing the Bioenergy chapter for a sustainable development book to be published in 2009. Essays have been referenced in several books, including Gusher of Lies and Profit from the Peak.

Engaged in ad hoc technical consulting for a number of energy projects, including projects on biodiesel, ethanol (via cellulose, sugarcane, and corn), butanol, and a pair of biomass gasification facilities. Currently helping to build a biomass conversion platform that I believe is unique in the world.