Mike Chappell Email and Phone Number

Consulting in the areas of Biofuels, Fermentation Processes, Algae technologies. Deep expertise in Process Development, pilot and demonstration scale design, startup, and operations. Experimental design and data analysis.

Responsible for determining technology development pathways across the entire Biofuels portfolio with primary focus on biomass handling, pretreatment, solids streams handling, and product purification as part of the lignocellulosic process development for ethanol production. Leading process safety risk identification and mitigation; interfacing with demonstration scale facilities and commercial scale project teams. This cross-platform role is responsible for bringing best practices and process development ideas to bear between Brazil, UK, and US Lignocellulosic efforts. Also leading efforts to identify and evaluate future technologies, and plan their incorporation in an evolving business model. As Engineering Authority for the Global Technology Center, responsible for ensuring process equipment integrity, process safety, building programs for Integrity Management, MOC, LOTO, Control of Work. Lead process safety evaluations such as LOPA; HAZOP; HAZID.

Led a team of engineers and scientists in developing processes for biofuels from cellulosic biomass. This team was responsible for startup and troubleshooting of pilot scale and demonstration scale facilities; designing experiments at all scales to provide data for design and construction of commercial scale facilities; troubleshooting and process improvement for contract manufacturing of specialty enzymes; control systems optimization. Also responsible for Planning, modeling, and conceptual design of further generations of biofuels and higher value products.

• Led a team to take advantage of low cost crude glycerin supply in North America, Europe, and Asia. This included understanding biodiesel technology and developing relationships with biodiesel producers; developing or purchasing process technology for purification of crude glycerin; identifying; visiting and negotiating with potential partners or contract manufacturers; establishing contracts for crude supply; coordinating efforts with other technologies within the company that also use glycerin; and provide input for overall management of glycerin supply issues. Contributed > $20MM EBIT in 2007-2008.• Led a team of engineers and technicians in implementation of Most Effective Technology (MET) for polyurethane dispersions. Served as liaison between R&D and manufacturing for implementation. Analyzed current processes; identified root causes for process inconsistencies and out of spec material and implemented improvement changes. Initiated and managed capital projects to improve existing process. Conducted HAZOP, LOPA, FMEA analyses. Designed and conducted experiments on existing and newly installed equipment; responsible for safety and environmental performance of new equipment.

• Led a team of engineers and technicians in process development for fermentation, primary recovery and purification of pharmaceutical proteins from transgenic Pseudomonas fluroescens. Supported a unique business initiative to market the Pfenix Expression Technology™, a Dow trademarked process, which provides clients with higher yields, easier release of molecules, and improved and simplified purification processes. One patent pending from this work.• Developed experiments using Six Sigma methodology. Devised and tested scale up strategies and processing capabilities. Collaborated with other scientists in creating processes for purification using centrifugation, filtration, chromatography, concentration/dilution and buffer exchange technologies. Supported staff in creating technology transfer packages for clients. Directed team in achieving project goals and deadlines. Oversaw the development of junior engineers and technicians.• Spearheaded the construction of a pilot plant to produce active pharmaceutical ingredients from plants. Controlled budget, purchased equipment and supervised contractors. Led successful efforts to produce proteins from transgenic seeds prior to corporate decision to exit pharmaceuticals in food crops research activities.• Special assignment to Dow/Dow AgroSciences joint project at Midland Headquarters and other sites throughout North America. Developed extraction process for monoclonal antibody from transgenic seeds, meeting extremely stringent project goals. Contributed to growing and harvesting, solids handling and processing, extraction, solids separation, clarification, purification and cGMP planning.

• Selected to provide engineering leadership to a start-up venture, partially owned by Dow AgroSciences. Directed the design and construction of a pilot plant for scale up and production of unique products from native and recombinant oil seeds. Located and leased plant site. Oversaw facility design, purchasing of equipment and recruitment of staff.• Instrumental in the strategic development of products and facilities. Designed initial process models, economic models and capital estimates utilized in formulating process decisions. Led initiative to create a company-wide safety program.• Developed two new processes for recovery of high value proteins from canola, flax, safflower and sunflower seeds. Directed production of gram quantities of proteins from recombinant oilseeds.

• Led process improvement research at three production plants generating 1.4 billion pounds of propylene oxide and glycols yearly. Conducted economic and statistical analyses, and assessed technologies and alternative processes to optimize production. Initiated process improvements generating $30+ million in savings over 6 years.• Developed and launched a Quality Improvement Program for a 60-person laboratory. Developed statistical methods to measure the return and potential return on research investments utilizing Six Sigma methodology.• Led team in establishing new processes to eliminate contaminants, and designed a remediation process for part-per-billion contaminant that was awarded a US patent.• Participated on an international, multifunctional research team in a project to develop a new $4.5 million polyglycol product, resulting in the award of US and international patents.• Directed team effort to research and implement design improvements for an 18,000 GPM ion exchange water treatment system. Research Engineer 11/88 to 4/92• Led a project to improve the manufacturing processes at a plant producing 1.2 billion pounds of propylene oxide annually. Directed a technical team in designing and building an integrated pilot plant. Designed and oversaw experiments, data collection and analysis, which resulted in the introduction of process improvements that led to savings of over $3 million annually.