PhD Chemical Engineering

Prasad Uday Karanjkar

New York, NY *****

Phone: 347-***-****

Email: ***************@*****.***

Results-oriented professional with excellent technical skills and a career ambition to become an expert in the Innovative and Competitive technology development. Possesses strong interpersonal and leadership skills to collaborate with diversified technical teams, organize and execute project plans, mentor individuals and groups.

EDUCATION

Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, The City College of City University of New York; Sept 2011 GPA 3.91

Merit-based Prestigious "Robert Gillece Fellowship"

M.S., Chemical Engineering, The City College of City University of New York; Feb 2009 GPA 3.91

Merit-based Honor "Acrivos Fellow"

B.S., Chemical Engineering, Mumbai University Institute of Chemical Technology; May 2006 Distinction

"JRD Tata Scholarship" for Academic Excellence in Chemical Engineering

EXPERIENCE

Graduate Research Assistant, 08/2006 - Present

Benjamin Levich Institute and Department of Chemical Engineering, CUNY, NY

Ph.D. dissertation: "Hydrate-forming oil-field emulsions: Impact on Flow Assurance"

* Engineered a state-of-the-art Flow Rheometer used to study both the mechanical properties and morphological characteristics of dispersions: innovative device development in the area of Flow Assurance.

Designed a high-pressure version of the Flow Rheometer.

* Performed comprehensive rheological characterization of cyclopentane hydrate formation in water-in-oil emulsions: analyzed the evolving structure and material strength properties of suspensions.

* Developed a novel method to obtain hydrate formation kinetics using differential scanning calorimeter (µDSC): discovered an ingenious engineering method for chemical reaction kinetics.

* Performed extensive crystal morphology characterization of cyclopentane hydrates in single drop and slurry experiments: explored new findings with the effect of surface-active agents and anti-agglomerants.

* Authored technical research proposals: awarded the Student Research Grant by the Graduate Center, CUNY, in two consecutive competitions, 2009-2011.

Flow Assurance Intern, 05/2010 - 08/2010

Chevron Energy Technology Company, Houston, TX

* Developed standard operating protocols for crude oil and emulsion rheology characterization: improvised protocols for reliable data collection.

* Performed technical services for major capital projects in Gulf of Mexico and North Sea.

* Developed a high-pressure rheometer facility: instrumental in providing new capability to Chevron.

* Successfully transferred technology on rheological measurements through collaborative efforts between multiple teams within Chevron: led to better flow assurance risk management strategies.

* Developed 2D and 3D CFD models to study an oscillatory flow behavior in Flow Rheometer using Gambit and Fluent (steady state and transient computational fluid dynamics).

* Assisted in chemical vendor selection process through lab facility tours, group meetings and report analysis.

* Completed essential office and lab safety training courses - Chevron's Safety Culture.

* "Demonstrated leadership by embracing an expanded set of activities, taking ownership, and carrying out responsibilities admirably with minimal supervision: Supervisor's remarks."

Undergraduate Research Project, 03/2006 - 05/2006

MUICT (UDCT), Mumbai, India

* Designed a plant to manufacture "10 tonnes per day of Ultramarine blue optical whitener".

* Conducted a comprehensive literature survey to select an economically viable process, designed chemical reactors and process controls, drew process flow and process & instrumentation diagrams.

* Performed a detailed process economic study: led to an economically optimal plant design.

Trainee Engineer, 05/2005 - 08/2005

Colgate-Palmolive India Ltd., Mumbai, India

* Performed equipment and protocol assessment for Cleaning and Sanitization(C&S) Department: instrumental in value addition to Quality Control norms of the company.

* Drew process and instrumentation diagrams for automation of C&S for cream pipelines: collaborated with automation and production teams to accomplish an efficient and cost-saving process.

* Provided valuable inputs for optimal water management that resulted in efficient recycling practices.

TEACHING & MENTORING EXPERIENCE

* Graduate Teaching Assistant, Department of Chemical Engineering, CCNY 08/2008 - 12/2009

Instructed and advised graduate students, prepared model solutions and grading schemes for homework assignments for Energy Systems Engineering and Foundations of Fluid Mechanics courses.

* Mentored a group of 4 Mechanical Engineering undergraduates for Engineering Design Project: advised on design calculations, provided work directions, supervised over machining work at CCNY workshop, achieved a perfect design and built an in-house High-Pressure Flow Rheometer.

PUBLICATIONS & PRESENTATIONS

* Peixinho J., Karanjkar P. U., Lee J. W., Morris J. F., "Rheology of hydrate forming emulsions", Langmuir (2010).

* Karanjkar P. U., Lee J. W., Morris J. F., "Calorimetric investigation of cyclopentane hydrate formation in an emulsion", Chemical Engineering Science, under review (2010).

* Karanjkar P. U., Lee J. W., Morris J. F., "Morphological and calorimetric investigation of hydrate-forming water-in-oil emulsions", Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Gas Hydrates (ICGH), Edinburgh, Scotland (July 2011)

* Karanjkar P. U., Lee J. W., Morris J. F., "Morphological investigation of cyclopentane hydrates", AIChE Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City (November 2010) - Contributed talk.

* Karanjkar P. U., Lee J. W., Morris J. F., "Evolving structure and rheological properties of an emulsion undergoing internal phase solidification", 81st Annual Meeting, Society of Rheology (SOR), Madison, (October 2009) - Contributed talk.

* Karanjkar P. U., Lee J. W., Morris J. F., "Interfacial effects on cyclopentane hydrate crystal morphology" (under preparation).

QUALIFICATIONS

* Expertise in Experimental Techniques: Stress-controlled (AR G2, 2000) and Strain-controlled (ARES) Rheometers, High-pressure Rheometry, Pendant drop tensiometer, Flow visualization techniques, Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Cross-Polarized microscopy (CPM), Langmuir trough and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS).

* Languages and Applications: C, C++, Fluent, Gambit, Matlab, PVTsim, OLGA and LabVIEW.

* Relevant Skills: Excellent research, oral and written communication and presentation skills; Strong leadership, interpersonal, critical thinking and problem solving, programming and designing skills.

* Leadership: President of Graduate Student Council, Department of Chemical Engineering, CCNY

MUICT hostel management team member and guest room secretary

REFERENCES

* Professor Jeffrey F. Morris (*******@***.****.****.***) - Levich Institute & Chemical Engineering, CCNY

* Professor Jae W. Lee (***@***.****.****.***) - Chemical Engineering, CCNY

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