Engineer Quality Control
Resume:
Omar Yepez, PhD
Research Chemist/Corrosion Specialist/Materials Science/Electrochemist (LION)/ Unemployed and
looking for work
*******@*****.***
Summary
I am an explorer and an extremely passionate scientist, taking ownership of my projects and pursuing them to
completion. I am very enthusiastic, a team player, and enjoy infecting co-workers with my enthusiasm. I am
used to thinking out of the box and do come up with novel solutions.
I have the initiative, commitment and imagination to solve complex scientific and industrial problems. I have a
strong work ethic and will do the research until the hidden mechanism is seen and the answers are found.
• Extensive Industrial Research Experience in Automotive Grease, Construction Chemicals, Emulsions,
Desulfurization, Electrochemical Processes, Corrosion, Surface Science, Chemical and Electrochemical
Mechanisms.
• Extensive research experience in Corrosion.
• Proven track record in corrosion research.
• Extensive research experience in Electro-catalysis and Fuel Cells.
• Hands-on experience in Electrochemical methods applied for corrosion assessment such as linear
polarization resistance, electrochemical impedance, hydrogen permeation etc.
• Crude Oil characterization using laboratory instrumentation techniques such as FTIR, NMR, GC-MS,
normalized analyses, physical-chemical tests, etc.
• Surface characterization using SEM, XRD, XPS and XRF.
• Proven track record in Corrosion monitoring methods development.
• Experience in Radioactive Isotopes Tracing technologies for corrosion research.
• Demonstrated ability for working and/or leading multidisciplinary teams for achieving the technical
objectives with quality and on time.
• Strong Chemistry and Electrochemistry background.
• Creative, motivated and customer oriented.
• Fluent in Spanish and English.
Specialties: Electrochemistry, Corrosion and Electro-catalysis.
Experience
Research Chemist/Electrochemist/Corrosion Expert at Unemployed looking for opportunities
February 2013 - Present (5 months)
Improving my Linkedin profile, resume. Job hunting. Wrote the blog "Matter and Light in Flatland"
http://yepezoj.blogspot.com/
Senior Engineer at Phillips 66
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May 2012 - February 2013 (10 months)
Exploring why the corrosion model for the refinery works and what are its limitations. Conducting
experiments to develop the corrosion model for other metallurgies.
Senior Engineer at ConocoPhillips
October 2009 - May 2012 (2 years 8 months)
Conducted research in the area of high temperature corrosion as applied to crude oil refining. This involved
naphthenic acid and overhead corrosion. Developed an electrochemical impedance based crude oil corrosion
measuring method. Produced more accurate corrosion rate experimental results, through the use of a flow
through technique. Acted as a consultant and tutor for three technicians, to develop a wide variety of
corrosion experiments. Implemented electrochemical techniques to measure corrosion caused by amine
hydrochloride salts (refinery overhead corrosion). Explored the influence of shear stress on naphthenic acid
corrosion, through the use of radio-tracing technology. Determined the role of organic acids on sulfidic
corrosion under shear stress conditions. Discovered the mechanism of the combined sulfidic and naphthenic
acid corrosion. Consequently, developed the new ConocoPhillips Refinery corrosion model. This new model
reduced the corrosion rate under-prediction to zero, which is a huge improvement in comparison with
previous models. In turns, this contributed to significant improvement in refinery operations. This is my most
important accomplishment in the company.
Associated Engineer at ConocoPhillips
October 2006 - October 2009 (3 years 1 month)
Conducted exploratory research on the factors that may influence naphthenic acid corrosion in refinery crude
and vacuum distillation units. Initiated the development of a new method to assess naphthenic acid corrosion
for heavy crude oil processing. Discovered the mechanism of naphthenic acid corrosion in the absence of
sulfur. Conducted research on the influence of sulfoxides and water on naphthenic acid corrosion
mechanisms. Started a research program on the influence of shear stress on combined sulfidic and naphthenic
acid corrosion processes. Directed the work of two senior laboratory technicians.
Post Doctoral Fellow Corrosion at Memorial University of Newfoundland
February 2006 - October 2006 (9 months)
The processing of nickel ores involves: high temperatures (>100 C), high [H2SO4] and high [Cl#]. Despite
the severity of the nickel ore processing method, this service employs pure titanium in all the equipments
because very low corrosion rates may be achieved. My research as a post doctoral fellow involved
troubleshooting all of the experimental challenges associated with measuring the time evolution of the
corrosion rate of titanium in this system. The fundamental causes of titanium corrosion behavior were
identified. An immediate benefit from the knowledge created from this research was an significant
improvement in operational safety in the nickel mining industry.
1 recommendation available upon request
Post Doctoral Fellow Electrocatalysis at Memorial University of Newfoundland
February 2003 - February 2006 (3 years 1 month)
After being awarded financial support, proposed and conducted a research program to explore the influence
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of hydrogen deliberately occluded (absorbed) into a Pd electrode catalyst, on the mechanism of the
electrochemical oxidation of methanol. The significant scientific contribution of this work was the
determination that it is possible to oxidize methanol at very low potentials in the presence of occluded
hydrogen. This implies a strong diminution of the CO poisoning effect. In turns, this opened a Nobel avenue
to avoid this effect in fuel cells.
Additional research included modifying Nafion® membranes to reduce the methanol crossover, with no
reduction in the fuel cell performance.
Profesional (Advance Researcher) at PDVSA Petroleos de Venezuela S.A.
January 1992 - February 2003 (11 years 2 months)
CORROSION
Developed a new corrosion measurement method for naphthenic acid corrosion. This method was used to
rank crude oils and crude oil distillation fractions according to the amount of iron that they produced after
reaction with iron powder. Results from the new method were used in general crude oil purchasing decisions
by PDVSA. The method proved valuable for exploratory research in this field and has been patented.
Discovered the effect of sulfoxides on naphthenic acid corrosion in the absence of other sulfur compounds.
This invention revolutionized the field of naphthenic acid corrosion and it is widely cited in the open
literature.
Developed a new hydrogen permeation corrosion measurement detector. This hydrogen permeation detector
was based on fuel cell technologies. Prototypes of this invention were successfully used in a gas plant in the
north Maracaibo area and at Cardon Refinery.
Developed a new method to detect the presence of filmic inhibitors. This was a non-expensive way to follow
the presence of filmic inhibitors throughout the pipeline. Worked successfully in an interdisciplinary
environment. Directed one technician and several interns.
EMULSIONS
Discovery of the causes of viscosity reduction due to the load of magnesium ions in Orimulsion™ (emulsion
of crude oil in water). Magnesium ions bonded to the polyethoxylated surfactant’s oxygen atoms. Thus, the
emulsion viscosity diminished because its droplets repel each other more than what can be accounted by the
repulsion theory. This was a new effect in emulsion research.
CONVERSION OF METHANE TO METHANOL
Discovery and development of an electrochemical method to convert methane to methanol. Previous
developments disclosed a method to do this on a palladium catalyst. Iron (III) was used as the oxidant. We try
to replace iron (III) by using positive potential on a palladium electrode. We detected the conversion of
methane to methanol, isopropyl alcohol, acetone and ethyl alcohol.
Post baccalaureate non-degree student at Purdue University
August 1993 - August 1994 (1 year 1 month)
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Adsorption and oxidation processes of cyanate (OCN#) were studied on polycrystalline platinum and Pt(1 0
0), Pt(1 1 0) and Pt(1 1 1) surfaces in alkaline solution (pH 9). On Pt(poly), Pt(1 0 0) and Pt(1 1 0), it has been
found that cyanate chemisorbs dissociatively, with production of adsorbed CO. Oxidation of cyanate thus
follows a pathway involving COad on polycrystalline Pt and these single crystal faces. COad has not been
observed during oxidation of cyanate on Pt(1 1 1); thus another pathway, involving direct oxidation of OCN#,
has been identified for cyanate oxidation on platinum surfaces.
Developed the right procedure to accomplish this study. Identified the different mechanisms. This was part of
my doctoral thesis.
Determined the role of occluded hydrogen on the electro-oxidation of methane on palladium electrodes. Used
FTIR technique to identify the reduction products of CO on palladium surfaces with hydrogen deliberately
occluded in the metal. These results linked with the results obtained during the electrolysis of methane on
palladium. These results culminated in my doctoral dissertation.
Project Engineer at Procter & Gamble
August 1991 - December 1991 (5 months)
Resolved the problem of linear alkyl benzene (LAB) losses in the Caracas plant. This raw material is used to
produce synthetic detergent. This task required reviewing the plant process, collecting samples of both LAB
as raw material and as the elaborated product (detergent), extracting the linear alkyl benzene from the
detergent and comparing its average molecular weight with the average molecular weight of the raw LAB
starting material. These experiments helped to show that LAB decomposed during the production process.
This was a completely unexpected result that allowed Procter to require better quality control on this raw
material.
Research Assistant at Universidad Simon Bolivar de Venezuela
September 1987 - January 1991 (3 years 5 months)
Worked for the project entitled “Electrochemical Conversion of Methane to Methanol”. Study the absorption
of methane in alkaline solutions, on palladium electrodes. Conducted electrolysis experiments to determine if
alcohol was produced in this system. Calibrated and troubleshot the chromatographic method to detect
alcohols from the electrochemical reaction. Discovered an electrochemical way to produce methanol from
methane. In this process, methane is electro-oxidized to carbon monoxide (CO) and then CO is reduced by
occluded hydrogen to methanol. This discovery was the basis for my doctoral dissertation and resulted in two
patents and two additional publications in the open literature.
Chief of Quality Control at Lugrasa
February 1986 - September 1987 (1 year 8 months)
Implemented the company quality control system. Mastered all the tests required for the certification of
automobile greases. Certified the quality of the company chassis grease production. Invented a way to
eliminate the need to use tallow to produce chassis grease. Successfully scaled the new formulation to 2-ton
batches in full-scale production.
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Honors and Awards
Graduated with Honors
Simon Bolivar University's "Chemistry Graduated School"
May 1995
This distinction is given to those with 5/5 score in courses for PhD.
An Innovation in the Field of Electrocatalytic Processes
PDVSA-INTEVEP
November 1992
Recognition to the development of an electro-catalyst to convert natural gas to methanol
Apparatus and Method for Hydrogen Permeation Measurements in Metallic Materials
PDVSA-INTEVEP
November 2000
Recognition to the development of a hydrogen permeation detector. This detector is a fuel cell designed to
burn the permeated hydrogen with air oxygen.
Naphthenic Acid Corrosion Potential Method, Fe-NCOR™
PDVSA-INTEVEP
February 2002
Recognition to the invention and development of a method to measure the naphthenic acid corrosion potential
of a crude oil.
Electrochemical Impedance as an Assessment Tool for Naphthenic Acid Corrosion
ConocoPhillips
January 2008
A $ 1,000 reward for the development of an electrochemical method to measure naphthenic acid corrosion.
Integrating Metal Analysis for Determining Corrosion Rates
ConocoPhillips
January 2011
$ 1,000 Reward for the development of the flow through unit for naphthenic acid corrosion measurements.
Organizations
National Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE)
Member
January 1998 to Present
Electrochemical Society
Member
January 1997 to Present
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Patents
MEASURING COKING PROPENSITY
United States Patent Application 0225489 A1
Inventors: Omar Yepez, PhD, Ricky Snelling
The present application provides a method for measuring coking propensity of a fossil fuel, comprising
mixing an iron powder with a fossil fuel, wherein the iron powder has an average particle size of less than or
equal to 100 µm; reacting the iron powder with the fossil fuel at a temperature and a pressure sufficient to
allow coking for a period of time; separating a supernatant and a solid product after said coking; and
analyzing the solid product for carbon content, wherein the carbon content is proportional to the coking
propensity. There is also provided is a method for measuring effectiveness of a coking inhibitor.
CORROSION RATE MONITORING
United States Patent Application 0066388 A1
Inventors: Omar Yepez, PhD, Ricky Snelling, Donald Engelbert
Methods and apparatus relate to measuring corrosion rate. Flowing corrosive fluid contacts a metal coupon or
object and results in an effluent stream. The effluent stream contains metal from the object due to reaction of
constituents in the fluid with the metal. Analysis of the effluent stream measures concentration of the metal
therein. Since the concentration of the metal in the effluent stream is indicative of mass loss from the object,
calculations provide the corrosion rate utilizing weight of the metal that is eluted, surface area of the object
and exposure time of the object with the corrosive fluid.
PARTICLE ANALYSIS FOR CORROSION RATE MONITORING
United States Patent Application 0075629 A1
Inventors: Omar Yepez, PhD, Ricky Snelling
Methods and apparatus relate to measuring corrosion rate. Corrosive fluid contacts a metal powder altering
physical properties of the metal powder due to resulting corrosion thereof. For example, the corrosion
diminishes mass of the metal powder reducing particle size and particle surface area of the metal powder.
Since these physical properties of the metal powder are indicative of the corrosion rate, analysis of the metal
powder provides the corrosion rate based on difference in the property of the metal powder before and after
the contact with the corrosive fluid.
APPARATUS AND METHOD TO MEASURE ELECTROCHEMICAL IMPEDANCE IN
NAPHTHENIC ACID CORROSION MEASUREMENTS
United States Patent Application 0155262 A1 AND WO/2010/080295
Inventors: Omar Yepez, PhD, Bruce Randolph, Xiaoyi Gong
An electrochemical cell apparatus and method comprising a first electrode and a second electrode wherein the
area ratio between them is 10 or higher, for example a metal plate and a metal wire; wherein said first and
second electrodes are made from the same material; and wherein the distance between said first electrode and
said second electrode is preferably in the range of from about 1 mm to about lµm is provided. Such
electrochemical cell can be used to measure crude oil corrosion using an electrochemical impedance method.
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MONITORING HYDROGEN PERMEATION
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United States Patent 6196060 Issued March 6, 2001
Inventors: Omar Yepez, PhD, Jose Vera
An apparatus for monitoring hydrogen permeation from a metallic material includes structure for positioning
an electrolyte in hydrogen communication with the material; a porous electrode contacting the electrolyte;
and a current collector connected to the porous electrode and the material, whereby current between the
material and the current collector is indicative of hydrogen permeation from the material. A method is also
disclosed.
METHOD OF DETERMINING THE CORROSIVENESS OF NAPHTHENIC ACID IN CURDE OIL
REFINERY STREAMS
United States Patent 6294387 and EP1039290 Issued September 25, 2001
Inventors: Omar Yepez, PhD, Jose Vera
A method for determining corrosiveness of naphthenic acid in a fluid includes the steps of: providing a fluid
containing naphthenic acid; providing iron powder having a surface area of at least about 0.01 m.sup.2 /g;
contacting the fluid and the powder for a period of time so as to provide a portion of the iron as dissolved iron
dissolved in the fluid; and measuring iron concentration of the fluid containing the dissolved iron, so as to
provide a measure of corrosion potential of the naphthenic acid over the period of time.
NON POISONING FUEL CELL AND METHOD
United States Patent 5804325 Issued September 8, 1998
Inventors: Omar Yepez, PhD
This invention relates to an apparatus configuration and a method of operation for fuel cells that use as fuel
any carbon compound. These cells are built with anodes capable of storing and diffusing hydrogen, where the
complete oxidation of the carbon fuel to carbon dioxide occurs, and cathodes that use atmospheric oxygen as
an oxidant. An aspect of the invention is the deliberate occlusion of hydrogen in the anode during the
operation of the fuel cells, in order to eliminate or greatly reduce the poisoning of the electrocatalyst. Fuel
cells according to the invention will be more competitive with existing power sources in price, operational
costs, power output, lifetime, volume and pollution emission. Implementation of the invention can also be
used to upgrade old fuel cells and to detect and destroy carbon compounds in medical or pollution control
applications.
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Publications
On the chemical reaction between carboxylic acids and iron, including the special case of naphthenic acid
Fuel, 86 (2007) 1162 November 3, 2007
Authors: Omar Yepez, PhD
The reaction between different carboxylic acids and iron was performed by monitoring the amount of iron
dissolved in oil through the formation of the iron carboxylate and by the product distribution in the gas phase.
It was found that the solubility of the given iron carboxylate strongly influences the concentration of iron
dissolved in oil. At temperatures higher than 300 ºC, however, the iron carboxylate thermally decomposed
and, therefore, the dissolved iron underestimates the acid corrosion potential. On the other hand, the
accumulated molar amount of hydrogen gas becomes an alternative way to estimate the carboxylic acid
corrosion potential.
Influence of different sulfur compounds on corrosion due to naphthenic acid
Fuel 84 (2005) 97 September 9, 2005
Authors: Omar Yepez, PhD
The influence of different sulfur compounds on corrosion due to naphthenic acid was studied by means of the
new method FeNCOR. It was found that such influence occurs after the reduction of the given sulfur
compound by the cathodic reaction of the overall process of naphthenic acid corrosion. When the reduction
product is H2S the formation of a potentially protective layer of FeS occurs, whereas when the reduction
product is H2O, coming from the reduction of sulfoxides, the naphthenic acid corrosion is enhanced. These
findings help to understand crude oil corrosivity behavior and serve as a warning for blending.
Optimisation of polypyrrole/Nafion composite membranes for direct methanol fuel cells
Electrochimica Acta, 51 (2006) 4052 May 1, 2006
Authors: Omar Yepez, PhD, Arnd Garsuch, Rita R. Sattler, Jun Zhu, Peter Pickup
Acidic and neutral Nafion® 115 perfluorosulphonate membranes have been modified by in situ
polymerization of pyrrole using Fe(III) and H2O2 as oxidizing agents, in order to decrease methanol
crossover in direct methanol fuel cells. Improved selectivities for proton over methanol transport and
improved fuel cell performances were only obtained with membranes that were modified while in the acid
form. Use of Fe(III) as the oxidizing agent can produce a large decrease in methanol crossover, but causes
polypyrrole deposition on the surface of the membrane. This increases the resistance of the membrane, and
leads to poor fuel cell performances due to poor bonding with the electrodes. Surface polypyrrole deposition
can be minimized, and surface polypyrrole can be removed, by using H2O2. The use of Nafion in its
tetrabutylammonium form leads to very low methanol permeabilities, and appears to offer potential for
manipulating the location of polypyrrole within the Nafion structure.
Continuous monitoring of CO2 yields from electrochemical oxidation of ethanol: Catalyst, current
density and temperature effects
Journal of Power Sources, 177 (2008) 71. February 15, 2008
Authors: Omar Yepez, PhD, Azra Ghumman, Christina Vink, Peter G. Pickup
A very simple method for continuous quantification of carbon dioxide yields from electrochemical processes,
using a commercial CO2 detector, is presented. Application of this method to electrochemical oxidation of
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ethanol greatly decreases the time needed to evaluate catalyst behaviours and allows for efficient elucidation
of the factors that influence CO2 yields. A systematic study of the effects of current density and temperature
on the performances of Pt and PtRu anode catalysts has been carried out. The amount of CO2 produced at
each current and temperature has been measured in real time. Yields of CO2, the product of total oxidation of
ethanol, are compared with the limited results reported in the literature for direct ethanol fuel cells.
Ti/TiO2/Ni2+ interface: unexpected protection of Ti by Ni2+ cations in hot sulphuric acid
Canadian Metallurgical Quarterly, Volume 50, Number 2, April 2011, pp. 195-202(8) April 1, 2011
Authors: Omar Yepez, PhD, John Shirokoff
The processing of nickel ores involves: high temperatures (>100 C), high [H2SO4] and high [Cl#]. Despite
the severity of this service, pure titanium can be used because it presents very low corrosion rates. Looking
for the fundamental causes of this behaviour, it was found that the potential of the couple Ti4+/Ti3+ shifted to
more negative potentials than the couple Ni2+/Ni in these conditions. Thus, Ni2+ was reduced to Ni metal,
oxidising Ti3+ to Ti4+. This increased the concentration of Ti4+ which was critical for the formation of the
protective TiO2 layer. In turn, the TiO2 passivated the active titanium dissolution. Also, the deposited Ni
catalysed the cathodic kinetics, producing a mixed potential in the passive region for titanium. This process
involves Ti/TiO2/Ni2+ and Ti/Ni2+ interface systems, and Ti/Ni2+ behaviour is somewhat like a
titanium#nickel alloy.
Electrochemical Oxidation of Methanol at Hydrogen-Loaded PdPtRu-Coated Pd Electrodes
Electrochemical and Solid State Letters, 8 (2005) E35. 2005
Authors: Omar Yepez, PhD, Peter Pickup
The influence of hydrogen deliberately occluded (absorbed) into a Pd electrode coated with a PdPtRu catalyst
on the electrochemical oxidation of methanol in an acidic medium is reported. It was found that it is possible
to oxidize methanol at very low potentials in the presence of occluded hydrogen, where control experiments
showed insignificant activity. This indicates a strong diminution of poisoning of the electrode by adsorbed
CO. The consumption of hydrogen during the electro-oxidation of methanol was much less than 0.6 mol of H
per mol of oxidized methanol, indicating that the occluded hydrogen has a catalytic effect. Formaldehyde
production was found to be lower than at a hydrogen-free electrode. © 2005 The Electrochemical Society. All
rights reserved.
Oxidation of CO on hydrogen-loaded palladium
Journal of Applied Electrochemistry, 29 (1999) 1185. 1999
Authors: Omar Yepez, PhD, Benjamin Scharifker
The oxidation of CO adsorbed on the surface of palladium electrodes loaded with different amounts of
hydrogen was studied by single potential alteration infrared reflectance spectroscopy (SPAIRS). In the
absence of hydrogen, only CO2 was detected during anodic oxidation of CO. Adsorption of CO in the
presence of hydrogen in palladium led to a more negative onset of its electrooxidation, and the formation of
other products, such as ethanol and formaldehyde, as well as CO_2. The results indicate that hydrogen
occluded in palladium contributes to the displacement of carbon monoxide from the interface; this may assist
in the continual electrooxidation of organic compounds at palladium electrodes.
Oxidation of formate on hydrogen-loaded palladium
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International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 27 (2002) 99. 2002
Authors: Omar Yepez, PhD, Benjamin Scharifker
Hydrogen occluded in palladium assists in the electrooxidation of formate ions at its surface, by chemically
reacting with strongly adsorbed poisoning species and contributing to their release from the surface. Reaction
between emerging occluded hydrogen and adsorbed CO regenerates surface sites for the continuous
electrochemical oxidation of formate ions.
Mechanistic pathways during oxidation of cyanate on platinum single crystal faces
Electrochimica Acta, 50-200*-****-****
Authors: Omar Yepez, PhD, Benjamin Scharifker
Adsorption and oxidation processes of cyanate (OCN#) were studied on polycrystalline platinum and Pt(1 0
0), Pt(1 1 0) and Pt(1 1 1) surfaces in alkaline solution (pH 9). On Pt(poly), Pt(1 0 0) and Pt(1 1 0), it has been
found that cyanate chemisorbs dissociatively, with production of adsorbed CO. Oxidation of cyanate thus
follows a pathway involving COad on polycrystalline Pt and these single crystal faces. COad has not been
observed during oxidation of cyanate on Pt(1 1 1); thus another pathway, involving direct oxidation of OCN#,
has been identified for cyanate oxidation on platinum surfaces.
Projects
Naphthenic Acid Corrosion
September 1997 to Present
Members:Omar Yepez, PhD, Jose Vera, Jorge Hau, Bruce Randolph, Ricky Snelling
Naphthenic acid corrosion occurs when the organic acid overwhelms the action of the sulfur corrosion. Thus,
a surface without corrosion products is observed. Sulfidic corrosion occurs when the sulfur corrosion
overwhelms the action of the acid. Thus, a surface with an iron sulfide film is observed. In practice, none of
these processes occur separately.
Acomplishments
Discovery and development of a high accuracy naphthenic acid corrosion model. This project has a net
present value of $200,000,000. The model allows the refiner to process opportunity crude oils on a wiser
basis. It takes the crude oil analytic and not on rules of thumb, to predict the crude oil corrosion rate. This has
been a 100 years old problem in the oil industry.
Electrocatalytic effect of occluded hydrogen
January 1994 to January 2006
Members:Omar Yepez, PhD, Benjamin Scharifker, Peter Pickup
The electro-oxidation of organic compounds can not progress because of the accumulation of carbon
monoxide on the surface of the electrode. However, on palladium electrodes, deliberately occluded hydrogen
reacts with this carbon monoxide. This clean the electrode surface for further electro-oxidation.
Hydrogen Permeation Detector based on Fuel Cell technology
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January 1999 to Present
Members:Omar Yepez, PhD, Jose Vera, Conchita Mendez
Hydrogen permeation is an indirect way to detect internal corrosion in pipe lines. This invention relates to
the use of a fuel cell gas diffusion electrode, in ionic connection with the pipe wall. This is performed by a
Nafion membrane. The electric circuit is closed with a zero resistance ammeter. As the hydrogen permeates,
air oxygen reduces and a current is measured.
Iron Powder Test for Naphthenic Acid Corrosion
January 1997 to January 2003
Members:Omar Yepez, PhD, Jorge Hau, Jose Vera
The chemical reaction between iron and naphthenic acid produces iron carboxylates. This compound is
soluble in oil. Thus, the exposure of a crude oil sample to a large area iron powder at a given temperature,
will produce iron carboxylate in enough quantities to be detected. This detection occurs as an increase of the
iron concentration in the oil tested.
Direct detection of naphthenic acid corrosion by electrochemical impedance
January 2000 to Present
Members:Omar Yepez, PhD, Jose Vera
To overcome the high resistance that oil poses. Two electrodes should be very close. Also, if the area of these
electrodes is very different. The lowest area one will have the highest impedance (resistance), this is the key
to measure corrosion in high resistance environments.
Courses
Postbaclaureate, Electrocatalysis
Purdue University
Chemical Kinetics
Solid State Chemistry
Doctor in Chemistry, Electrochemistry
Universidad Simón Bolívar
Physical Methods in Inorganic Chemistry
States of Matter
Quantum Chemistry
Basic Electrochemistry
Advanced Electrochemistry
Languages
English (Full professional proficiency)
Spanish (Native or bilingual proficiency)
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Skills & Expertise
Electrochemistry
Corrosion
Fuel cells
Chemistry
Refinery
Organic Chemistry
Electrocatalysis
Fuel Cells
Powder X-ray Diffraction
Materials Science
Oil/Gas
Petroleum
Characterization
Gas
Materials
Pipelines
Factory
FTIR
Chromatography
Refining
XPS
Instrumentation
Energy
R&D
Catalysis
Process Simulation
Upstream
Petrochemical
Petroleum Engineering
Material Selection
Education
Memorial University of Newfoundland - St. John's
Post Doctoral, Chemistry/Electrochemistry, 2003 - 2006
Universidad Simón Bolívar
Doctor in Chemistry, Electrochemistry, 1987 - 1995
Purdue University
Postbaclaureate, Electrocatalysis, 1993 - 1994
Universidad Simón Bolívar
BS in Chemistry, Organic chemistry, 1978 - 1985
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Interests
Very interested in new technologies as applied to solve industrial and scientific problems. New discoveries in
Physics, Chemistry and Astronomy.
Practitioner of All Racket Sports. Team-playing sports like soccer and basketball.
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Omar Yepez, PhD
Research Chemist/Corrosion Specialist/Materials Science/Electrochemist (LION)/ Unemployed and
looking for work
*******@*****.***
1 person has recommended Omar
"Omar Yepez's profile, summary and description of work at Memorial University of Newfoundland is
accurate. He is a bright research chemist who gets the job done. Yours truly, Dr John Shirokoff, P.Eng.,
Faculty of Engineering & Applied Science Memorial University of Newfoundland"
John Shirokoff, Associate Professor, Memorial University of Newfoundland, managed Omar at Memorial
University of Newfoundland
Contact Omar on LinkedIn
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Contact this candidate