VARDAN RATHI
Ph no
***********@*****.***
EDUCATION
MS degree (March 2009), dual degree in Mechanical Engineering and Wood Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon.
Area of specialization: - Wood Composites (GPA: - 3.7 / 4.0).
BS Chemical Engineering, Anna University, India, June 2005. (Distinction; 84%).
WORK EXPERIENCE
Process Engineer, Shasun Pharmaceuticals and Chemicals, Newcastle (Apr 12 to Present)
-New Product Introduction (NPI).
-Lead HAZard OPerability (HAZOP) studies, Perform Control of Substance Hazardous to Health (COSHH) assessment, Prepare Pollution Emission Impact Assessment Documentation (PEIAD), etc prior to NPI.
-Prepare/Update PFDs, Perform Mass balance, Energy balance, Material Compatibility Matrix, Control Philosophy, Design Basis Documentations for every NPI
-Scale-up from Lab scale and Pilot scale into the Main manufacturing plant.
-Defining the detailed scope of engineering work for implementing NPI into the main manufacturing plant.
-Bursting Disc sizing, vent sizing, Heat exchanger sizing calculations.
-Batch production, Batch column Distillations, Short path and Wiped film distillations.
-Process Optimization, Technical and Economical feasible assessment, Cost Optimization.
-Start-up of new commercial process manufacturing lines.
-Quality by design within a cGMP environment complying with FDA and MHRA regulations.
-Mapping of equipment to find a suitable fit for the desired process. Cost effective plant design to accomplish manufacturing with defined procedures and protocols.
-Curtailing study during the manufacturing to improve the design aspects for the future.
Process Engineer, Shasun Pharmaceuticals and Chemicals, Pondicherry (Feb 11 to Mar 12)
-New Product Introduction (NPI) and Existing product (Generics) handling.
-Provide continuous improvement to the Generics.
-Capacity planning and enhancement of existing generics.
-Perform Mass balance, Energy balance, Material Compatibility Matrix for every NPI
-Process Optimization, Technical and Economical assessment.
-Dust Explosion: Prevention and protection
-ETPs high COD load segregation and necessary actions were taken to maintain ZLD (Zero Liquid Discharge).
Entrepreneurial Experience, Chemron Products, Chennai (Jan 10 –Jan 11)
-Manufacturing and marketing of Nitrocellulose based Lacquer Emulsion used in leather coatings.
-Optimized the product formulation to obtain better wet rub property.
-Made sure that the consignment was always delivered on time.
-Increased the productivity while maintaining the same time line.
Process Engineer (Intern), International Paper, Springfield, Oregon (July 09 – Oct 09)
Supervisor: Robert Young.
-Adhere to OSHA guidelines and perform safe working procedures.
-Thoroughly studied and suggested methods to improve the existing process design of the Concentrated and the Dilute Non-Condensable Gases (CNCG and DNCG) and prepared a operator friendly manual to clearly define troubleshooting methods.
-Energy and Mass balance equations were computed to determine the working efficiency of the Lime Kiln and process optimization model was developed which helped reduce running cost by a factor of 15% (equivalent $150,000/year in energy and chemical cost).
-Understood the intricate details involved in the working procedure of the Kamyr Digester and the Black Liquor recovery system.
-Member of the process optimization team to identify the variables in the Realizable-Gap (R-Gap) and working towards minimizing the variability in various areas of the mill. Mill water usage was reduced by developing a WinGEMS simulation model.
Graduate Research Assistant, Oregon State University, Wood Science and Engineering. (Jan 07- June 09)
Advisor: Dr. Frederick Kamke
-A Novel Process was developed name Viscoelastic Thermal Compression (VTC). VTC is a treatment which involves the thermal compression of wood perpendicular to the grain in the presence of steam, which acts as plasticizer, resulting in densification without fracturing the cell wall. The increase in density follows with increase in the mechanical properties of wood.
-Process design, development and construction of a scale-up pressurized chamber, with instrumentation for temperature and steam pressure control, was performed to produce densified wood by mechanical compression.
-High density VTC strands were used on the surface layer to make OSB. Bending property increased by 30% without increasing the overall density of the panel.
-VTC process was used to mechanically densify OSB which increased the MOE and MOR by a factor of 100 – 150%.
Programmer Analyst, Cognizant Technology Solutions, Chennai, India (Jan 06- Dec 06)
-Requirements gathering and clarification of the use case & SAS document from onsite
-High level and Low level design of the system
-Sequence, Class diagram and Technical specification document delivery
-Development of the system in Java 1.4, Unit and Integration testing of the deliverable.
TECHNICAL PUBLICATIONS
Kamke, F.A. and V. Rathi. 2010 (in press). Structural Strand Composite from Modified Wood. Forest Products Journal.
Kamke, F.A. and V. Rathi. 2010. Apparatus for viscoelastic thermal compression. European Journal of Wood and Wood Products.
Kamke, F.A. and V. Rathi. 2009. Modified hybrid poplar for structural applications. In: Proc. 4th European Conference on Wood Modification, Stockholm, Sweden, April 27 – 29.
Kamke, F.A. and V. Rathi. 2008. Structural strand composites from modified wood. In: Proc. Technical Workshop: Manufacturing technology advancements that create value. Washington State University Extension. March 31, 2008, Seattle, Washington, p. 74-83.
PRESENTATIONS
V. Rathi and Kamke, F. A. 2008. Bending property enhancement of wood strand composite using Viscoelastic Thermal Compression. Oral Presentation: FPS Academic Forum; WBC Center Industry Advisory Board Meeting.
V. Rathi and Kamke, F. A. 2008. Bending property enhancement of wood strand composite using Viscoelastic Thermal Compression. Poster Presentation: WBC Center Industry Advisory Board Meeting.
Kamke, F.A. and V. Rathi. 2008. Structural strand composites from modified wood. Technical Workshop: Manufacturing technology advancements that create value. 42nd Intl. Wood Composites Symp & Tech. Workshop. Washington State University, March 31 – April 3, 2008, Seattle, Washington.
AREAS OF KNOWLEDGE
Materials Science, Wood Science, Polymers, Composite Materials, Oriented Strand Board Manufacturing, Resin Penetration in Wood, Diffusion and Phase Transformations, Process Engineering, Statistical Process Control (SPC).
Technical Skills: Operation of universal testing machine and laboratory hot-press, Optical microscopy, Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC), Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA).
Software Skills: Basics of C++, Advanced JAVA, Rational Application Developer, SQL, Microsoft office, S-Plus (statistical tool), WinGEMS (Process Simulation software), Meridian.
PERSONAL INTEREST
Swimming, Scuba Diving, Cycling, Trekking, Rock Climbing, Snow Camping, Table Tennis, Badminton, Racquet Ball, Squash, Reading, Movie buff.