Rankin Chemical Technologies, Inc.
engineering · consulting · process design

RCT Experience & Qualifications

Having worked as a chemical engineer consultant in both batch and continuous processing environments, I have a solid understanding of various chemical unit operations including separations (e.g. distillation, gas absorption, carbon adsorption & extraction), agitation, heat and mass transfer, and fluid flow. My chemical experience includes process designs for specialty chemicals, surfactants, flavors and fragrances, polyester (PET), high strength fibers, adhesives, catalysts, pharmaceuticals, and pyrometallurgical operations. 

Experience

I am fully experienced in process simulation (Aspen Plus and ChemCAD), and have modeled numerous distillation columns and vapor-liquid equilibrium operations for batch and continuous processes.  I have also developed custom heat and material balances and models for numerous chemical processes.  In addition, I have obtained significant expertise in the sizing and evaluation of pressure relief devices, including the use of DIERS technology for two-phase flow relief events.

A one-page summary of my core process capabilities is available for viewing and download.

Unit Operations & Equipment

Below is a listing of some unit operations and related equipment for which I have had actual experience evaluating, specifying, sizing and/or designing:

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  1. Reactions
    • Modes
      • Batch
      • Continuous plug flow
    • General conversions
    • Polymerizations
    • Ethoxylations
    • Phosphations
    • Hydrogenations
    • Oxidations
    • Chlorinations
    • Nitrations
    • Grignards
  2. V-L and V-L-L Equilibrium
    • Modeling
      • Non-ideal activity coefficient models
      • Henry's Law models
      • McCabe-Thiele plots
    • Distillation
      • Trayed towers
      • Packed towers
      • Close-boiling isomers
      • Complex columns with multiple product streams
    • Gas absorption / scrubbing
    • Gas absorption with chemical reaction
    • Stripping (nitrogen, steam, vacuum)
    • Adiabatic saturation / quenching
  3. Heat Transfer
    • Modes
      • Convective
      • Conductive
      • Radiant
      • Evaporation & condensation
    • Equipment
      • Shell & tube heat exchangers
      • Plate & frame heat exchangers
      • Jacketed piping
      • Tank / reactor jackets & coils
      • Waste heat recovery boilers
      • Batch furnaces
  4. Fluid Flow
    • Liquid
      • Newtonian
      • non-Newtonian (shear thinning)
    • Vapor
    • Liquid + vapor 2-phase
    • Gas sparging
    • Solids conveying (dilute phase)
    • Equipment
      • Centrifugal pumps
      • Positive displacement pumps
      • Vacuum pumps
      • Fans / blowers
      • Compressors
  5. Mechanical Separations
    • Centrifugation
    • Filtration
    • Cyclone separation
    • Baghouse filtration
  6. Solids Processing
    • Rotary calcination
    • Rotary steam tube drying
    • Milling
    • Mechanical conveying
    • Auto-sampling (cross-cut)
    • Bulk bag and drum unloading & filling operations
  7. Utilities
    • Cooling towers
    • Chillers
    • Waste heat recovery boilers
    • Compressed air dryers
  8. Pollution Abatement
    • Thermal oxidation
    • Gas absorption / scrubbing
    • Carbon adsorption
    • Partial condensation
  9. Precious Metals Refining
    • Smelting (electric arc furnace)
    • Converting
    • Refining (salts & solutions)

Special

  1. Pressure Relief Systems
  2. Environmental Permitting
    • PharmaMACT
    • MON Rule

Project Experience Listing

To view a detailed listing of specific projects in which I have been personally involved, click here.