Recent Projects

Acetone to Isopropyl Alcohol Retrofit Study – Addressed COVID-19 needs for disinfectant chemical formulations for a client who has manufacturing assets for surfactants and various additive products were interested in converting existing process equipment to make isopropyl alcohol.

Advanced Ceramic Materials – Developed materials process to modify ceramic structure leading to high density and thermal shock resistance with high levels of toughness, hardness, chemical and wear resistance, and modified thermal and electrical properties. The technology has the potential to extend the performance of advanced ceramic materials and subsequent products in structural and electronic applications.

Agricultural Equipment Engineering and Deployment – Engineered, facilitated manufacturing, and deployed several niche agricultural equipment.

Air Permitting – Worked with facility owners and managers to submit appropriate information and applications to local, state, and federal jurisdictions to obtain construction and operating permits.

Air Separation Plants – Design and startup of several large air separation plants - process and equipment design of plants - to produce oxygen, nitrogen, and argon.

Ammonia Plant Support - Provided technical support to Ammonia and Urea plants.

Anaerobic Digester Facilities Producing Biomethane to Natural Gas Pipeline: Project Manager for Anaerobic Digester & Subject Expert on Independent Engineering Study and Peer Review of 12 farm covered lagoon anaerobic digesters to handle cow manure from ~100,000 dairy cows and to produce biogas, which is conditioned and upgraded to BioMethane (RNG) and connected to the Natural Gas pipeline (totaling ~10 MWe equivalent) to sell for CA RIN’s & LCFS.

Anaerobic Digester Upgrade: 3.2 MW AD Facility:  Project Manager.  Providing Peer Review, initial AD operations recommendations, recipe management assistance, and process improvements assistance for a complete mix anaerobic digester facility that handles 423 MT/day (154,000 MT/year) of food waste,  Fats-Oils-Grease (FOG), and source-separated organics (SSO) with biogas that fuels 3.2 MW of CHP generator sets and provides up to 11 MMBtu/hour of process heat and excess heat for nearby buildings. Also includes a Scott Thor SSO De-Packaging system and a sludge drying system that produces Class A biosolids used as organic fertilizer for nearby land application.

Anaerobic Digestion (Numerous) – Provided expertise and expert witness services in several anaerobic digestion matters.

Anaerobic Digestion Barriers to Adoption at Swine Operations – Examined conditions and practices at swine growing operations to develop insights into the untapped potential of using anaerobic digestion in the four top swine producing states. Examined economic, practice, knowledge, technology, policy and regulatory issues to identify changes that would promote greater use.

Anaerobic Digestion Case Studies for Agricultural and Food Industry Applications – Conducted case studies of use of anaerobic digestion systems for manure and wastewater management. Studies included owner, designer, technology provider, and utility perspectives along with system designs and operational details.

Anaerobic Digestion Process Improvement:  Project Engineer.  Provided AD operations recommendations, recipe management assistance, and process improvements assistance for a complete mix anaerobic digester facility that handles 616 MT/day (219,000 MT/year) of food waste,  Fats-Oils-Grease (FOG), and source-separated organics (SSO) with biogas that fuels 5.2 MW of CHP generator sets and provides up to 17 MMBtu/hour of process heat and excess heat for nearby buildings. Also includes an SSO De-Packaging system and a sludge drying system that produces Class A biosolids used as organic fertilizer for nearby land application.

Asset Appraisals & Valuations – Conducted appraisals of many types of biofuels, bioenergy, and wood pellet mills and equipment.

ASTM Guideline Consulting – Conducted sampling and testing programs to meet ASTM guidelines for biofuels plants.

Best Management Guidelines for Bioenergy and Wildlife Habitat -  Developed guidelines (BMGs) for perennial grass harvest for bioenergy and wildlife habitat.

Bioactives from Tree Bark - Successfully produced and sold natural high-value bioactives (API for anti-HIV) made from tree bark.

Bio-based Industry Techno-Economic Analysis – Conducted techno-economic analyses of existing and potential biomass, conversion technologies, and products to help inform and guide the development of policies and programs for economic development. Produced a reference report for policymakers highlighting promising pathways for bio-based industry development.

Bio-based Resin Technology - Product and technology commercialization of pilot unit to develop bio-based (Lignin) phenol formaldehyde resin technology for oriented strand board manufacture.

Biochar JV Development - Structured a joint venture between a Thailand bamboo feedstock provider and a US biochar technology supplier.  The project included due diligence of technology and assessment of the market potential for entry into activated charcoal applications.

Biofuel Industry Market Overview – Produced summary of production, consumption, and feedstocks by geographical region and potential for novel feedstock to enter the market.

Biodiesel Market Research – Conducted study as to the current state of the global biodiesel market, including feedstock analysis and composition, general global biodiesel market study, logistical information including pricing, key suppliers, and other market factors.

Biodiesel Plant Business Case Development – Technology assessment and business case development for a 15 million gallon/year biodiesel facility using forest residuals for feedstock. Included identification of technology suitable for non-recourse debt financing, development of capital and operating costs, feedstock assessment, and market analysis.

Biodiesel Plant Restoration  - Served as advisor to a biodiesel plant restoration project for technology selection, material balance reviews, and renewable diesel feasibility.

Biodiversity Sustainability & Optimization Modeling - Modeling for energy cane and sweet sorghum production that met conservation targets with minimal displacement of human interests.

Bioeconomy Economic Development - Performed regional SWOT analysis and comprehensive evaluation recommending actions that local and regional government and economic development organizations could undertake to foster growth in the bioeconomy.

Bioenergy Facility Site Selection – Evaluated multiple sites for suitability for biomass conversion technology. Did an assessment that included feedstock availability, site logistics, infrastructure, and impact on project economics. Work included a combination of research, discussions with relevant parties, and inspection of potential sites.

Biofuel Market Study - Reviewed world markets in biofuels for a tobacco company to advise on feasibility.

Biofuel Plants M & A (numerous) - Assisted with merging of different company cultures upon the company’s purchase of several biofuel plants.  Assisted with compliance and safety, plant reliability and throughput, capital project efficiency, and new process technology implementation.

Biogas to Electricity -  Assisted with a biogas treatment system that treated biogas for an engine to electricity usage.

Bio-Industrial IT Business Systems Automation – Deployed IT and automation – created tools for integration of bio-industrial processes with business systems.

Bio-Oil Techno-Economic Analysis – Performed techno-economic and potential assessment of bio-based feedstocks suitable for direct co-processing. The scope covered novel/industrial crop oils, waste oils and fats, and bio-oils derived from solid biomass (agricultural and forestry residues, various wastes, and energy crops) for bio-oil co-processing at European refineries.

Biology Discovery and Development – Assisted US Biotech company to identify novel extremophile microbial species native to SE Asia for bioproduct development.  Coordinated activities between government biobanks and local universities and venture financing.

Biomass Cogeneration Power Project – Agricultural Waste – Project development services for a 2 MW biomass cogeneration power project in northern Thailand using rice husk as a primary fuel source. Activities included feasibility study, fuel availability study, environmental and community impact assessment, grid connection study, preliminary design, PPA application, licensing & permitting, preparation of tender documents, contractor negotiations, construction inspection & supervision, and commissioning & startup supervision.

Biomass Export Products from Forest Residues – Conducted study for biomass exports for a major Australian forestry company for two regions in eastern Australia. Study detailed appropriate products, including black pellets and pyrolysis oil, outlined the technologies to make them and technology companies, analyzed markets for these products in Japan and Europe, and described highly efficient supply chains to get product competitively to market.

Biomass Harvest Equipment Development – Developed and manufactured specialized equipment to enable material collection.

Biomass Power Generation Assessments – Conducted studies of market opportunities and the regulatory environment for investment in grid-connected, bagasse-fired cogeneration power projects in the Philippines and Thailand. The completed reports included overviews of the countries’ power sectors, electricity markets, available technologies, summaries of the sugarcane industry & companies involved, the status of biofuels for electricity generation, and options for financing.

Biomass Power Generation Design – Designed, engineered, and managed construction for two greenfield biomass power generation facilities based on 6.5 MW modules using Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) technology for reduced operations and maintenance costs. Projects utilized wood residuals from sawmills and logging operations to generate clean power and heat to be used for lumber drying. These were the largest facilities of this type in the world when completed.

Biomass Resource Assessment for Forest and Wood Industries Residues – Conducted studies for energy generation utilities to identify, quantify and characterize wood residues as potential co-firing feedstocks at power plants. Examined existing infrastructure and production/harvest practices, competing uses, sustainability of supply, and market trends.

Bioplastic Due Diligence – Performed detailed economic and technical evaluation of a North American bioplastic company for acquisition company. The project included an assessment of the bioplastic production process, facility expansion plans, greenfield facility costs, and market dynamics.

Bioprocess Development, Scale-up, and Commercialization - Managed a $30+ million project to prove cellulosic biomass conversion scaled to 10 dry tons of feedstock per day in a fully integrated process from feedstock receipt through product recovery for commercial readiness.

Biorefinery Downstream Separation Process Design – Complete product separation and purification process designed, consisting of gas-liquid contactors, distillation towers, hydrotreating reactors, hydrogenation reactors, and hydrogen recycle sub-systems.

Biorefinery Heat and Power System Design – Designed integrated steam heat and power system for a proposed biorefinery project.   Excess high-pressure steam was available for electricity generation to power the entire facility and export.

Brownfield Site Due Diligence  - Provided site due diligence for a Canadian company seeking to repurpose the site for wood processing.

Business Planning – Created business plans for several types of biofuels, biochemicals, biomass power, anaerobic digestion, and pyrolysis operations.

Business Case Development – Conducted technology assessments and business case development for different types of facilities utilizing a variety of feedstocks.  Work included identification of technology suitable for non-recourse debt financing, development of capital and operating costs, feedstock assessment, and market analysis.

Carbon Capture Feasibility - Evaluated feasibility of carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies to offset CO2 emissions.

Carbon Intensity - Developed screening tool to assess carbon intensity and revenue generation for different feedstocks for biodiesel, renewable diesel, and ethanol production. Predicted likelihood of achieving LCFS certified carbon intensity based on a statistical model of biorefinery inputs.

Cell-based Meat TEA and Due Diligence - Conducted deep literature search, conceptual process design, and production cost estimation for edible meat products cultured from animal cells.

Cellulose Hydrolysis Reactor Projects - Conducted tests in labs and at job sites; created rheological model; scaled up agitation system to demo and production scales. Have done this for multiple clients and multiple feedstocks.

Cellulosic Biomass Conversion - Development and scale-up of cellulosic biomass conversion technology to convert primary biomass components, primarily cellulose and hemicellulose to commercial products with value-added co-products.

Cellulosic Ethanol Greenfield Development – Greenfield development of supply systems (grower model, field equipment, storage sites, operations processes) for 100K-acre corn stover harvest.

Cellulosic Ethanol Operations – Created and implemented field operations/logistics software and Geographic Information System to facilitate field selection, grower contracting, crop status decisions, harvesting, transportation, and equipment telemetry.

Cellulosic Ethanol Site Evaluations - Completed a comprehensive project to evaluate multiple states to identify the most optimal sites to construct a commercial cellulosic ethanol plant.

Central Cooling Plant – This rehabilitation required a comprehensive survey of the installed equipment maintenance history and operational defects. Repairs included adding equipment to meet current requirements, replacing obsolete plant controls and sensors, and preparing a new sequence of operations.

Chemical and Gas Processes - Design of new or improved chemical and gas processes, and process control optimization.

Clean Meat Production Techno-Economic Analysis - Identified R&D goals and process development goals necessary to produce a cost-competitive product in addition to sensitivity and risk analysis of commercializing the product.

CDMO API Producer Pricing Support – Assisted management in the optimization of the price of key pharmaceutical ingredients.

Dairy Digester Project Due Diligence - Reviewed anticipated carbon intensity for dairy manure to biogas and potential LCFS carbon intensity. Examined operational parameters such as lagoon clean-out rate, grid power consumption, and secondary treatment of effluent. Determined requirements for the monitoring plan.

Design & Fabrication of a Bio-oil Process Plant – Designed and fabricated 120 t/d bio-oil productions from waste biomass plants.

Design & Fabrication of Hydropyrolysis Pilot Plant – Designed and fabricated 2 kg/hr. hydropyrolysis pilot plant.

DOE Bioeconomy Partnership Model Grant application - Provided advice on research and development grant application for DOE Bioeconomy Partnership Model Grant application.

Due Diligence, Investment – Engaged by investment firms to conduct business and technology audits of biomass and biofuels start-ups and existing ventures, including demonstration facilities, operating conditions and data, pro formas, and related documentation.

Emission Dispersion Modeling Study – The EPA AERSCREEN model to help a client estimate concentration of air toxins downstream of a proposed biomass conversion facility which was equipped with the best available control technology.

EPA and IRS Plant Registrations – Assisted renewable fuels plants in filing the appropriated documentation and fulfilling the requirements for required IRS, EPA, and state registrations.

Equipment arbitration- Participated in two studies where agitation equipment was deemed insufficient in process performance or mechanically troublesome. Made recommendations for improvement.

Equity Due Diligence – Conducted audit of the supply chain of a CDMO/API Group having facilities in Germany, India, and Italy.

Ethanol Expertise – Provided expertise and expert witness services in several ethanol-related matters.

Ethanol Feasibility - Completed sugar cane ethanol pre-feasibility study for South American project developers.

Ethanol Feedstock Assessment & Economic Analysis - Developed ethanol feedstock resource assessment and economic analysis of the premium product sales with new technology be installed.

Ethanol Loan Restructure – Assisted bank with restructuring $70,000,000 ethanol loan in accordance with industry standards and helped document and cash flow analysis.

Ethanol Marketing Strategy for LCFS - Developed marketing strategy for ethanol producers to capitalize on new technology in power production to take advantage of premium pricing in California’s Low Carbon Fuel market.

Ethanol Operations Representative - Interfaced with lenders independent engineers and managed program cash flows.  Operational leadership of company IPO with private equity group.

Ethanol Plant Advanced Process Controls – Using Aspentech DMC3®, ethanol fermentation automated sequencing, DCS upgrades, advanced anomaly detection analytics to improve reliability, and building engineering modeling to monitor ethanol plant conditions.

Ethanol Plant Due Diligence – Evaluated investment for a bank considering financing two ethanol plants, including reviews of the documentation, covenants, and finance structuring.

Ethanol Plant Project Management – Oversight of the building of two green-field 120 MMGY ethanol plants.

Ethanol Plant Safety Upgrades - Safety upgrades in ethanol plants including combustion safety systems and mechanical integrity improvements in ethanol distillation ethanol dehydration and boiler systems.

Ethanol Production New Technology – Managed new and improved process technology development and commercialization for the corn ethanol industry resulting in improved fermentable sugar and ethanol yields, improved oil yields, new diversified animal feed co-products, and cellulosic ethanol production from corn kernel fiber.

Ethanol Upgrading Comparative Analysis - Flowsheet simulations in Aspen Plus and economic analyses of various catalytic routes for upgrading ethanol and higher alcohols to high-octane fuels. Capital cost estimates developed for most promising routes.

Ethylene & Polyethylene Plant Design  - Completing Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) for mega-project including natural gas liquids separation, 200-mile NGL pipeline, ethylene cracker, LLDPE polyethylene, and site utilities.

Executive Recruiting – Conducted specialized recruitment to source biofuels, biomass, and biomaterials professionals (plant managers, chemists, and other professionals) at various locations.

Expert Witness Services (Numerous) – Most of our 100+ experts have evaluated matters within their specialty and testified as expert witnesses on a variety of biomass and bioenergy projects.

Export Fuels Project in the Middle East - Analyzed equity investment and funding for export fuels project.

Feasibility Studies (Numerous) – We have conducted a variety of feasibility studies worldwide for biodiesel, ethanol, biomass power, anaerobic digestion, pyrolysis, wood waste to diesel fuel, and biochemical companies worldwide.  Also assisted a major cruise line in assessing the viability of using biofuels in ocean-going cruise ships and major international airlines in determining the economic feasibility of using renewable diesel as a sustainable aviation fuel replacement for current petro-diesel jet fuels.

Federal Funding Application Packaging Services - Provided loan guarantee and grant federal program application packaging services to clients. Services included preparation of documents; liaison between clients, federal agencies, independent consultants for completion of required third-party services,  and lenders( when applicable); and preparation and formatting of the application package.

Federal Funding Search - Conducted a federal funding search for a domestic entity considering solar energy development.

Federal Funding Search - Conducted a federal program funding and other resources available to support companies engaged in the production and conversion of algae into biofuels and biobased products.

Federal Funding Search - Conducted a federal funding source search for a company interested in producing energy crops to diversify a sugar cane operation.

Federal Funding Search - Conducted a federal program funding search for a company considering a bolt-on facility for operating a pulp mill to convert wood waste into renewable biofuel.

Feed Ingredient Bio-Fuels Co-Products - Conducted due diligence oversight for private equity firm investigating new co-product from biofuels production.

Feedstock Evaluation (Numerous) – We have evaluated many types of feedstocks for a number of clients, to determine and implement the most practical and profitable options.

Feedstock Site Selection (Numerous) – We have evaluated multiple sites for suitability for biomass conversion and other technologies. Assessments included feedstock availability, site logistics, infrastructure, and impact on project economics. Work included a combination of research, discussions with relevant parties, and inspection of potential sites.

Feedstock Procurement & Financing Assistance – Provide biodiesel and ethanol feedstock procurement, help secure financing and hedging advice for biodiesel and ethanol plants. We locked in forward margins via hedging instruments and assisted plants to obtain working capital by identifying feedstock finance programs where feedstock is funded until it is converted to fuel.

Fermentation Feasibility - NREL study to determine the feasibility of very large-scale fermentation facilities.

Fermenter Heat Transfer Studies - Analyzed heat duty and recommended heat transfer surfaces for various OUR scenarios.

Fermenter Pilot Studies - Designed pilot protocols to gather necessary data to develop broth-specific mass transfer correlations; fitted and interpreted data and used results to scale up and optimize energy consumption.

Fermentation Based Process Technology Due Diligence - Determined technical and business readiness of fermentation-based process technology to produce renewable, biodegradable polymer resins incorporated into large-volume commercial plastic products.

Fermentation Process Assistance - Managed development and scale-up of new/improved fermentation processes to produce renewable fuels, chemicals, plant growth promotors, and feed products.

Fermentation Process Development - Guided client thru establishing an improved and reproducible fermentation process for protein production from E. coli.

Fermentation Scale-Up - Advised client on developing robust, reproducible fermentation process at production scale based on quantifiable metrics for a meat alternative product.

Fermentation Technology Development - Full development and commercial readiness review of technology, facilities, equipment, personnel, and business viability for commercial operations prior to a company merger.

Fischer Tropsch Diesel  Mass and Energy Balance - Developed process model for biomass gasification to FT fuel to determine reactor capacities, jet, diesel, and naphtha yields and effects of supplemental hydrogen.

Food Company Use of Food Grade Alcohol – Provided guidance to identify alcohol options that will deliver acceptable drying properties and identified codes, regulations, safety requirements, and the likely machine design specifications for using and storing various amounts of ethanol.

Food Ingredient Fermentation Scale-up TEA - Techno-Economic Analysis for company planning to scale up fermentation of ingredient used in further processing of food products.

Food Safety Planning - Provided oversight for a company bringing on new food production facility, including education on Food Safety Modernization Act and assistance with developing fully compliant Food Safety plan.

Food Waste Digester Feasibility Study:  Feasibility Study for an Anaerobic Digester System for handling ~2,500 tons/year of food waste (pre-consumer and post-consumer, including cafeteria food waste) and Fats-Oils-Grease (FOG).

Forest Silviculture and Transportation CO2 Emissions Modeling –Conducted modeling for wood to renewable chemical and fuel process to develop CO2 emissions model to estimate potential RIN fuel benefits in the USA.

Gasification/Syngas Due Diligence – Conducted review of suitable gasification suppliers to process feedstocks composed of recycled plastic and cellulose, and assisted in developing the suitable cleanup and processing of the resulting syngas.

Gasification Power Plant Development - Development of large integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) power plant.  Site selection, contract negotiation secured permits, secured grid interconnection, located and procured feedstock, and resolved compliance issues.

Gasification Technology Due Diligence – Evaluated investment for a third party considering investing in a gasification technology, including evaluation of plant and technical and economic feasibility of the technology.

General Consulting – Biofuels & Renewable Chemicals – Provided a variety of consulting services for many biofuels and renewable chemical companies and plants worldwide.

GHG Credit, Life Cycle Analysis & RIN Research – Conducted review and reported on qualification and steps required to obtain credits from harvesting trees to produce hydrogen or methane for use in transportation.

Grant Proposals (Numerous) – We have written and evaluated a number of grant proposals for a variety of companies, including a multinational company co-developing a process for producing Omega-3 fatty acids, and DOE grant proposals involving extraction of valuable products from aqueous product streams from fermentation processes utilizing a variety of techniques including membrane technologies.

Health and Wellness Bioproducts – Developed a strategy for leveraging synthetic biology of available feedstocks into high-value health and wellness products.  Products included flavor ingredients for alternative proteins, prebiotics for gut biome health, and nutraceuticals for longevity medicine.

Hemp - Commercialize new green insulation material produced with hemp.  Fiber blankets produced from agricultural fibers such as hemp are used to combat weeds and to prevent erosion on and around newly constructed berms and steep highway banks by motorways.

High-Temperature Superconductors – Researched high-temperature (High-Tc) superconductors including syntheses, films preparation, and investigating properties of superconducting phases in the Bi-Pb-Sr-Ca-Cu-O and Y-Ba-Cu-O systems.

Hydroelectric Power Generation – Assisted owner with project development, PPA acquisition, and project implementation planning for a 25 MW run-of-river power facility. Provided project and construction management services during design, construction, commissioning, and start-up. Additional services included the control system design and implementation and the transmission line design.

Hydrogen Technologies - Explored low-carbon hydrogen technologies by evaluating novel electrocatalysts for alkaline and acidic electrolysis.

Hydrogen Trade-Off Analysis - Performed trade-off analysis of hydrogen options from electrolysis and steam methane reforming based on approved CARB book and claim methodology.

Insurance (Numerous) – Provided various insurance coverages for biodiesel, ethanol, grain solvent extraction, and other plants in the U.S.

Insurance Evaluation (Numerous) – Expert for insurance company involved in biodiesel plant equipment breakdown with respect to losses associated with equipment breakdown, cleanup process, and resulting business losses as a result of a breakdown.

Insurance Product Development - Developed an insurance product to mitigate technology risk for alternative energy and alternative fuels projects to facilitate funding.

Investment Due Diligence – Engaged by lenders and investment firms worldwide to conduct technical and financial due diligence for loans and investments for start-up and existing operations, including a tire pyrolysis venture for an IPO filing. Services also include evaluation of demonstration facilities, operating conditions and data, pro formas, and related documentation.

Landfill Evaluation and Due Diligence – Evaluation and due diligence for a third party considering investments into landfills.

Latex Dipping Projects – Conducted several projects in the latex-dipped products industry, including trouble-shooting processing problems, and helping companies modify their products to address new FDA requirements, such as the recent ban on glove donning powder.

LCFS Training and Support (Numerous) - Trained biofuel producers on the requirements of the LCFS including data collection, instrument calibration, record keeping, and carbon intensity analysis.

Major Pharma Ingredient Support - Support management for the optimization of the price of vital pharmaceutical ingredients.

Major Pharma Outsourcing – Assisted pharmaceutical company in outsourcing production of one of its strategic mature ingredients. Located global CDMO markets having the right technologies (extraction + chemistry + flow chemistry).

Major Pharma Project Management - Project management of the technical transfer, organized quality audit, analyzed offers and assisted with selection of a partner.

Major Pharma Supply Support – Supported management in finding suppliers of ingredients and managing the implementation of a supply agreement.

Marketing of Biofuels – Assisted renewable fuels plants in securing long-term off-take agreements and negotiating resulting contracts.

Market, Economic & Technology Analysis – Heat treatment of Canadian hardwood to produce an insect-resistant and decay-resistant product.

Microturbine Cogeneration Plant – Restoration required the design and installation of an adequate natural gas compressor station, an overhaul of six microturbines, an overhaul of the lithium bromide absorption chiller plant, and replacement of the controls reporting to the central plant utility system.

Microwave Anaerobic Digestion – Evaluated microwave-assisted anaerobic digestion of pig manure operations.

Next-Generation Renewable Jet Fuels – Conducted research for the development of next-generation renewable jet fuels.

Operational Best Practices - Across 12 plants in the US and Europe resulting in safety, asset utilization, quality, and capital project efficiency improvements.  New process technologies implemented.

OSHA PSM – Conducted comprehensive process safety management (PSM) compliance audits of biodiesel and ethanol facilities as required by law; identified deficiencies, and provided subsequent assistance to obtain compliance with 29 CFR 1910.119, OSHA’s Process Safety Management standard.

Patent Liaison – Facilitated interactions with business and legal counsel for drafting and publication of a portfolio of 20+ approved patents.

PHA Bioplastics – Helped create PHA lab to create novel opportunities for a line of biodegradable, natural microspheres for use in personal care and cosmetic products, as a direct replacement for synthetic, non-degradable plastic microbeads.

PHA Bioplastics - Examined Advanced Cellulosic Nano-Crystalline reinforced PHA bioplastics.

PHA Production Facility Evaluation - Evaluation of PHA Plant Production, Markets, & Expansion Plans for Capital Financing Group.

Pharma Start-Up – Assisted with finding suppliers of ingredients and managing the implementation of supply agreements.

Plant Design & Fabrication (Numerous) – Including 25+ biodiesel plants, 2 kg/hr hydropyrolysis pilot plant and a 120 t/d bio-oil from waste biomass production plant, A 1.5 t/d integrated biomass feed capacity bio-refinery, 15t/d, and a 30t/d wood feed capacity biomass to food additives production plants utilizing biomass pyrolysis, two 1.5l/hr and one 10 t/d biomass catalytic cracking pilot and demonstration plants, and a bio-oil plant using pyrolysis for processing 50t/d of waste from palm oil production.

Polymer Synthesis - Technology due diligence project to show potential investors a third-party assessment of technical feasibility, IP defensibility, economic feasibility, and scale-up readiness for chemical processes and polymer synthesis.

Process Optimization – Optimized a polymer pyrolysis process for a company focused on recovering valuable chemical building blocks and intermediates from Municipal Solid Waste (MSW). With kinetic functions obtained from a combination of literature and experiment, the decomposition profile was modeled as a function of process parameters including temperature, time, pressure, flow rates, and MSW composition. The kinetic model formed the basis of a demonstration plant under construction that will recover 4,000 tons per year of valuable chemicals.

Protein Separation Feasibility - Resulted in the construction of two new corn fermentation protein plants.

Plant Optimizations (Numerous) – Maximized the yields, and the energy & labor efficiency, and implemented procedures to minimize waste at multiple biodiesel and ethanol plants worldwide.

Project Management & Financing Assistance (Numerous) – Developed commercial-scale integrated biorefinery projects. Project elements included the selection of Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC) companies, development of Basic and Detailed Engineering packages, site selection, coordination of feedstock and off-take agreements; project financing package development, and the identification and structuring of project financing.

Pyrolysis Investigation - Pyrolysis reactor modeling in Aspen Custom Modeler, with Aspen Plus integration. Sizing and estimation in Aspen Capital Cost Estimator of small-scale (potentially truck-mounted) distributed pyrolysis equipment.

Refinery Transition to Renewable Fuels and Petrochemicals - Built strategies for the refinery product transition to renewables and petrochemicals.

Renewable Aviation Fuels – Conducted research for the development of next-generation renewable jet fuels.

Renewable Diesel - Provided funding and expertise for the company to prove their “drop-in” renewable diesel and jet fuels technology, leading to the building of a large refinery.

Renewable Diesel Analysis – Ran economic analysis for various feeds and throughputs of the renewable diesel unit.

Renewable Diesel Due Diligence – Evaluated investment for a third party considering renewable diesel/HVO production site in Asia.

Renewable Diesel Odor Control - Odor control white paper for renewable diesel plant, successfully presented to governing authorities granting permission to proceed.

Renewable Diesel Pathways - Established pathways for renewable diesel into California, Oregon, Washington, and four Canadian provinces.

Renewable Diesel Technology - Implemented renewable diesel technology for various types of bio-feedstocks.

Renewable Diesel Vendor Reviews  - Provided due diligence review of vendor’s proposals on pre-treatment options for a world-class sized renewable diesel project with a leading Asian refiner.

Renewable Energy Enablement Assessment – Mapped processes, evaluated workflows, determining operations gaps, designed steps/techniques/aids to enable optimization and efficiencies using Six Sigma and other process improvement methodologies.

Renewable Energy Equipment Procurement – Drafted specifications, facilitated leveraged bidding, and managed relationships for procurement of $60MM in operations equipment.  Reduced capital input and procurement of variable inputs by 30%.

Renewable Fuel Blending LP Model – Linear programming model developed to identify blending options for combining 2nd generation biofuel with petroleum-based gasoline.

Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) Study – Determined estimated value of RNG in California. Created a life cycle model and scenarios for carbon capture and study to determine carbon intensity and calculation of CO2 sequestered in algae pond(s) to determine the value of the carbon captured under the RFS, RINS, and LCFS and any other programs available.

RFS Engineering Reviews (Numerous) – Provided government-required engineering reviews for numerous biodiesel and ethanol plants.

RFS & LCFS Evaluations (Numerous) – Assessing fuel supply outlook and regulatory changes to the LCFS and similar programs that have the potential to impact the growth and sustainability of opportunities for renewable fuel producers looking to participate in both Pacific Coast and the RFS marketplaces.  Assisted with fundamental price modeling for fuels and credits.

RIN Assistance & EPA Approval (Numerous) – Provided RIN assistance and EPA approval assistance to several projects.

RIN Training (Numerous) – Consulted on and trained plant personnel in the registration and production of Renewable Identification Numbers as required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Risk Assessments (Numerous) – Performed Process Hazard Analyses (PHA) using Hazard and Operability (HAZOP) study methodology, including structured and sofystematic examination of existing processes and operations, to identify and evaluate problems that may represent risks to personnel or equipment.

Rubber & Latex Expertise – Provided expertise and expert witness services in several rubber and latex-related matters.

Semiconductor and Optical Materials – Research of the ternary compounds including syntheses, single crystal growth, phase equilibrium, properties; theories of formations of the complex compounds, crystallographic classification, and changing properties, and predicting the possibility of the existence of the new compounds and their crystal structure and properties. The developed complex compounds from the Tl – Pb – Te, Tl – Ta – S, and AI – BIII – CVI systems (AI – Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Ag, Cu; BIII – Ga, In, Tl; and CVI – S, Se, Te) are promising semiconductor, electro-optic, nonlinear-optic, luminescence, pyroelectric, and piezoelectric materials.

Site Selections (Numerous) – Evaluated multiple sites for suitability for biodiesel, ethanol, biomass conversion, and other biofuels and biochemicals projects. Assessments included feedstock availability, site logistics, infrastructure, and impact on project economics, including a combination of research, discussions with relevant parties, inspections of potential sites, and suitable tolling facilities.

Start-Up Plant Assistance – Located production sites to scale up and produce a new plant-based ingredient. (extraction + chemistry + drying and packaging).  Proposed shortlist of producers, implement CDAs, manage information transfer up to financial and technical offers.

Start-Up Process Evaluations (Numerous) – Business, operations, and cost evaluation of startup ventures.  Augmented technical expert assessments with a focus on streamlined approaches, cost reduction, operations efficiency, and business practices.

Start-Up Training (Numerous) – Developed and implemented an online operations training program for fuel ethanol production facilities that utilize process flow diagrams, process control diagrams, block flow diagrams, and 3D models to educate ethanol production facility operators on the role of each piece of equipment in the process, identify equipment locations, describe process flows, state equipment processing functions, describe basic process controls and identify main equipment internal components.

Syngas to Methanol & DME - Improved catalysts for converting synthesis gas to methanol, dimethyl ether (DME), and gasoline.

Systems, Applications & Products (SAP) – Assisted client with understanding SAP needs of the organization, explanation of how it would be implemented and how to navigate the differences

Tax Credit Consulting (Numerous) – Assisted various clients with applying for and securing state/province and federal tax credits in U.S. and Canada.

Technology Development Assistance (Numerous) – Including biofuels and additives, biomass/waste conversion and scrubbing/cleaning systems processes, gasification, pyrolysis, steam reformation, gas-to-liquid technologies to produce clean energy and higher value products from waste feedstocks such as biomass, municipal solid waste, industrial waste, medical waste, sewage sludge, and used tires, azeotropic distillation as a method for extracting useful chemicals from pyrolysis process streams, bio-derived fillers into polymers, reactor system for a UV-catalytic hybrid reactor to pasteurize wastewater and food products, the process for recovering heat and oil, and producing pure potable water from snack chip manufacturing vent gas, extraction of useful metals from natural and industrial brine solutions, valorization of waste from food processing, and conversion of small organic molecules in wastewater to useful extractable products.

Technology Evaluations (Numerous) – Including biofuels, biochemicals, bioplastics, bioproducts, enzymes, gas to liquid (modular syngas upgrading process), hydrothermal carbonization of digestate, CO2 to fuels, and wood pellets/wood to fuels projects, “drop-in” transportation biofuels from forestry biomass and wood residuals, technologies using forestry biomass as a feedstock (i.e. catalytic (fast) pyrolysis, hydrothermal liquefaction, and gasification), technologies for removing fluorine and other anions from drinking water,  use of forward-osmotic technology for industrial wastewater purification including the testing of new membrane materials, and selective oxidation catalysts.

Thermal Cracking – The preparation of a high-value coating product was purified by controlled thermal cracking for an international polymers company. Energy savings of 35% was realized by closely controlling and optimizing the heat transfer to the cracking process and intensifying the process operation. Designed experiments to validate kinetic models to prepare the process for commercial implementation.

Tire Life Cycle Analysis, RIN & LCFS Research – Report on qualification and steps required to obtain credits from processing tires to produce hydrogen or methane for transportation while qualifying for RIN credits.

United Nations Study – At the request of the United Nations, developed a study of potential pyrolysis oil markets in several EU countries and Japan. The study was of liquid pyrolysis oil, made from biomass, to be used to replace fossil oil in many industrial, commercial, and residential applications.

USDA Section 9003 - Application packaging for a USDA Section 9003 application for conversion of waste cooking oils into a biobased product.

USDA Phase I Section 9003 - Advice and oversite of USDA Phase I Section 9003 application converting sugars into a biobased product.

USDA Phase I Section 9003 - Advice and oversite of a USDA Phase I Section 9003 Application for wood waste into renewable fuel for two domestic owned companies.

Used Cook Oil Processing in Fluid Cracking Units - Increased used cooking oil (UCO) processing in fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) units.

Wastewater Treatment Feasibility Study:  Project Manager for Process design team member in preparing a Wastewater Treatment Facility to add Anaerobic Digester feasibility study to compare several anaerobic digester technologies utilizing on-site municipal wastewater sludge, off-site food waste, fats-oils-grease (FOG), and source-separated organics feedstock to fuel a 400 kW CHP generator set, to provide 50 SCFM of BioCNG (RNG) to fuel the municipal fleet and to provide process heat and excess heat for surrounding buildings. Also includes an on-site compost facility to produce Class A (PFRP) compost from the digestate. Also considered a Pyrolysis option (including by-products of Syngas, Synthetic Oil, and Biochar) in lieu of Anaerobic Digestion.

Water Permitting – Worked with facility owners and managers to submit appropriate information and applications to local, state, and federal jurisdictions to obtain construction and operating permits.

Water Quality Trading Program Design – Developed and co-authored a manual on water quality trading program design, exploring issues and how each can be addressed through appropriate design options.

Wood Combustion Study for Fire School – Scientific research and report comparing combustion products of wood and particleboard for a Fire Department Training Academy considering the presence of phenol-formaldehyde resin in particleboard.

Wood Waste Technology Due Diligence (Numerous) - Vetting of wood waste technology for a number of renewable energy projects.

Woody Biomass Recovery - From short-rotation fast growing woody crops (SRWC), pre-processing and supply-chain optimization and harvesting fast-growing woody biomass from a test site to demonstrate supply-chain options as a renewable energy feedstock.