Technology Issue Delays Project Timeline At Bioprocessing Plant

Case Overview

This case involves a technology issue relating to the fouling of heat exchangers at a bioprocessing plant during a major project. The technology in question reduces fouling through the use of enzymes which chemically break down the acids found in certain biomaterials. It was alleged by the bioprocessing plant that an insoluble byproduct of this process consistently fouled the plant’s processing equipment causing delays in the project timeline. An expert in bioprocessing plant management and operations was sought to review the source of the fouling problem and discuss liability for the resulting delay in production.

Questions to the Engineering expert and their responses

Please discuss your experience with daily operations and management of bioprocessing plants.

I have 36 years of experience in petroleum and bioprocessing, advanced academic training and, more importantly, experience in ethanol project management, plant construction, and operations. I have worked for a few leading ethanol plant builders and can advise on wet and dry mills.

Please describe your experience and familiarity with fouling in heat exchangers.

I am an expert in the fouling of heat exchangers. I have served as an expert witness in three biofuel cases.

About the expert

This expert has extensive experience in petroleum, biofuel, and chemical engineering. He earned his BA from the University of Texas at Austin, his MA from Arizona State University, his PhD from Texas A&M University, and his MBA from Warwick University. He is a senior member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and has delivered over 50 presentations and speeches across the globe at conferences such as the World Fuels Conference. Formerly, he was a product manager at GE Osmonics, the chief technology officer at Kreido Biofuels, Inc., and an engineering manager at Petroalgae LLC. Currently, this expert is an adjunct faculty member at a military college and operates his own consulting firm, where he provides expert engineering and financial analyses for the petroleum refining and chemical industries in South Carolina.