Emissions Calculations & Compliance Support

Independently developed an excess emissions report for a regulated incident, ensuring timely and defensible compliance documentation.

Context

Led the development of an excess emissions report following a client incident regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). 

What I Did

• Investigated the incident to understand process operations, failure conditions, and environmental implications

• Built a structured Excel workbook to organize venting timelines and fermenter operating parameters

• Coordinated directly with the client to obtain missing operational data and confirm corrective actions

• Performed emissions calculations using process data and applicable regulatory limits

• Cross-referenced the facility’s Title V operating permit and relevant IDNR emission standards to identify compliance deviations

• Determined that approximately 80 lb of excess emissions were released, exceeding permitted limits

• Compiled calculations, assumptions, client inputs, and preventive measures into a clear report

Tools

Excel (data organization and calculations), Title V permits, IDNR emission standards, engineering calculations

Outcome

• Delivered a complete excess emissions report within the regulatory deadline

• Met IDNR compliance and documentation standards

• Provided the client with a transparent, data-backed account of the incident and recommended prevention strategies

• Strengthened skills in regulatory compliance analysis, process data interpretation, Excel-based emissions modeling, and professional technical reporting

Packed Distillation Column Optimization

Reconciled experimental distillation data with simulation to evaluate column performance and operating behavior. 

Context

Multi-week unit operations lab focused on analyzing a packed distillation column separating a binary mixture under varying operating conditions as part of a team.

What I Did 

• Collected experimental data across multiple steady-state operating conditions

• Performed component-level mass balances and energy balances to validate data consistency

• Compared experimental trends (temperature and composition profiles) to Aspen Plus simulation outputs

• Evaluated the directional impact of changes in reflux ratio and feed conditions on separation performance

Tools

Aspen Plus, Excel, unit operations principles and heuristics

Outcome

• Identified systematic deviations between experimental and theoretical behavior

• Demonstrated ability to work with imperfect, real-world data

• Supported data-backed conclusions through reconciliation and trend analysis

• Communicated results in an oral presentation and represented my team

What I Did 

• Assessed available waste heat potential using energy balances

• Evaluated design constraints, including safety and operational considerations

• Performed an economic analysis of the design using Aspen Plus

• Compared alternative design approaches

• Participated in team-based decision-making and technical justification

Tools

Process design fundamentals, energy balances, Aspen Plus, ALOHA

Outcome

• Developed a technically sound conceptual design

• Demonstrated ability to evaluate tradeoffs between efficiency, safety, and complexity

• Strengthened collaborative problem-solving and technical communication skills

• Presented a formal, oral presentation alongside team members to faculty and industry professionals

Refrigeration System Design Concept

Designed and analyzed a vapor-compression refrigeration system using thermodynamic principles and energy balances.

Context

Completed a refrigeration system project as part of an engineering measurements laboratory, where my team conducted open and closed loop experiments on a chiller system and then developed a conceptual refrigeration design to meet specified production requirements for a facility located in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

What I Did

• Ran controlled laboratory experiments on a chiller, collecting temperature and pressure data at key points in the cycle

• Applied energy balances and thermodynamic relationships to analyze system behavior

• Used experimental results to inform a conceptual vapor-compression refrigeration design

• Analyzed theoretical efficiency and heat requirements based on production specifications and site location

• Served as the primary presenter for the team, communicating methodology, assumptions, and design rationale

Tools & Skills

Excel, Powerpoint, thermodynamics, heat and mass transfer fundamentals, experimental lab/measurement techniques

Outcome

• Connected experimental chiller data to theoretical refrigeration cycle performance

• Evaluated refrigeration requirements under real-world constraints

• Strengthened ability to communicate technical analysis and design concepts clearly to an audience

Senior Design Project (In Progress)

Capstone process design project focused on catalytic conversion of propylene (C3=) using process design fundamentals and modeling software.

Context

This project centers on the catalytic conversion of propylene (C3=) into higher-value products, emphasizing process design principles, modeling scenarios, and safety.

What I’m Working On

• Building material balances in Excel using conversion, selectivity, and extent-of-reaction methods

• Structuring calculations to define all inlet and outlet stream flowrates at steady state

• Validating balance consistency and documenting assumptions clearly

What’s Next

• Expanding the design into a full process flow, including downstream separations and supporting unit operations using Aspen Plus 

• Evaluating design objectives and optimization targets such as yield, efficiency, and feasibility

• Incorporating safety, operational, and economic considerations into the final design

• Working collaboratively within a team

• Preparing a final technical report and presentation delivered to faculty and industry professionals

Tools

Aspen Plus, Excel, PowerPoint

Status

In progress. Progressing from material and energy balance development to an early-stage process design model.

Sales Excellence Specialization - Coursera Online Program

Applied consultative sales frameworks to technical and solution-oriented scenarios.

What I Did

• Completed multiple applied projects focused on customer discovery and needs analysis

• Practiced value-based messaging rather than feature-focused selling

• Used Zapier to automate sales workflows and reduce manual steps in outreach processes

• Used Microsoft Copilot to assist in building and refining sales pitch presentations

Tools

Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Copilot, Zapier, Customer Relationship Management Software

Outcome

• Strengthened ability to connect technical solutions to business problems

• Built confidence in customer-facing and professional communication

• Gained hands-on experience using automation and AI to support sales efficiency

Microsoft Excel Expert Certification

Demonstrated advanced Excel proficiency through performance-based certification.

What I Did

• Built nested formulas

• Used PivotTables to analyze and summarize large datasets

• Structured spreadsheets for clarity, accuracy, and reusability

Tools

Microsoft Excel - Office 365

Outcome

• Ability to efficiently analyze and organize data

• Improved speed and confidence working with complex spreadsheets

• Strong foundation for data-driven engineering and business decisions

AspenTech Process Modeling Course

Developed hands-on process modeling skills using Aspen Plus, with emphasis on core unit operation blocks.

What I Did

• Built process flow diagrams using Aspen Plus to represent real chemical systems

• Modeled separation processes using the RADFRAC block, including defining feed conditions, stages, reflux specifications, and product streams

• Modeled heat transfer operations using the HEATX block to represent heaters, coolers, and heat exchangers

• Defined thermodynamic property methods appropriate for process conditions

• Interpreted simulation outputs (temperature, flowrate, and composition trends) to evaluate process behavior

• Connected simulation results back to material and energy balance fundamentals

Tools

Aspen Plus

Outcome

• Strengthened ability to translate real-world unit operations into simulation models

• Gained confidence navigating Aspen Plus block logic and specifications

• Reinforced understanding of how modeling supports engineering analysis and decision-making