Catalyst Chemist Consultant Specialist Expert Al Masino

Senior Associate Consultant
Dr. Albert Masino

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Dr. Albert Masino - Catalysis Chemist Expert
Albert is an expert involved in Catalyst Chemistry, the business of catalysts and related fields for nearly 40 years. He has set up an impressive catalyst supply program between commercial vendors, and CPChem R&D and production sites in the past, plus he initiated a project to develop metallocene and single-site catalyzed propylene polymerization products and process. Albert is one of the most accomplished catalyst consultants available in private practice and can develop strategies to improve catalyst consistency and reduce catalyst cost and achieve sizeable savings for companies. He also holds a PhD in inorganic chemistry and has given multiple presentations and filed numerous publications and patents. 
  • Developed a strategy with commercial catalyst supplier to improve catalyst consistency and reduce catalyst cost.  Achieved savings in excess of $2.0MM. ​
  • Successfully developed a transition metal catalyst for a barrier polyolefin via low pressure process.
  • Developed new chromium-based catalyst for high value MVTR resin.​
  • Significantly reduced major component cost of a HDPE Ziegler Catalyst through development of an alternative raw material saving over 90% of its cost.​
  • Established a program to develop olefin polymerization catalysts based on new organometallic and coordination compounds. 
  • Charged with developing and commercializing novel olefin polymerization catalysts and processes.

Experience
Center for Environmentally Beneficial Catalysis, University of Kansas
​Lawrence, Kansas
May 2017 – Sept. 2018 (retired)
Industry Liaison Director
  • Responsible for expanding industry partnerships/collaborations with CEBC- added two industry members (+20%).  Sponsored research projects grew nearly 10-fold.
  • Work with CEBC leadership to shape vision and long-range strategy for CEBC
  • Manage intellectual property working with KU licensing associates. Oversee presentations to potential licensees.
  • Recruit industrial researchers for KU industrial colloquia educational series.​
  • Designed, developed and constructed a new bench-scale synthesis and polymerization laboratory for effective research in this area.   A new temperature management system that was developed resulted in the commercialization of these units by an independent company.
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Catalyst Development & Commercialization Chevron Phillips Chemical Co
Bartlesville, Oklahoma
2010 – May 2014
Team Leader
  • Responsible for maintaining and developing catalyst supply program between commercial vendors, and CPChem R&D and production sites.  Commercial plant troubleshooting-catalyst issues. 
  • Initiated a project to develop metallocene and single-site catalyzed propylene polymerization products and process.
  • Managing the research efforts of a six member team as well as continuing my individual Senior Research Chemist responsibilities in polyolefin product and process development.

Chevron Phillips Chemical Co
Bartlesville, Oklahoma
2000 – May 2014 (retired)
Senior Research Chemist
  • Responsible for the development of metallocene-based catalysts for use in production of linear low and  high density polyethylene applications.
  • Developed and managed the relationship with commercial sources for catalyst supply leading to cost savings of $1.6MM/yr and developed catalyst supply logistics with new licensee.    
  • Developed a strategy with commercial catalyst supplier to improve catalyst consistency and reduce catalyst cost.  Achieved savings in excess of $2.0MM. 
  • Managed university collaborative research program.

Chevron Chemical Company
Kingwood, Texas
1998 – 2000
Senior Research Chemist
  • Established a program to develop olefin polymerization catalysts based on new organometallic and coordination compounds. 
  • Successfully developed a transition metal catalyst for a barrier polyolefin via low pressure process.
  • Developed new chromium-based catalyst for high value MVTR resin.
  • Trained junior group members in polymerization technology and lab procedures.

Millennium Petrochemicals Company
Cincinnati, Ohio
1988 - 1997
Research Associate
  • Charged with developing and commercializing novel olefin polymerization catalysts and processes.
  • Initiated a catalyst development program based on metallocene-catalyzed production of linear low density polyethylene and successfully tested it in the pilot plant. . 
  • Developed a high efficiency heterogeneous Ziegler-Natta propylene polymerization catalyst that was commercialized saving over $1MM.
  • Designed, developed and constructed a new bench-scale synthesis and polymerization laboratory for effective research in this area.   A new temperature management system that was developed resulted in the commercialization of these units by an independent company.
  • Trained B.S. Chemist to conduct independent research program. 
  • Served as liaison between catalyst group and analytical group on molecular modeling project for catalyst design.

Polymers and Materials Division, Phillips Petroleum
Bartlesville, Oklahoma
1980 - 1988
Research Chemist
  • Successfully developed new HAC propylene polymerization catalyst and conducted plant trials.
  • Significantly reduced major component cost of a HDPE Ziegler Catalyst through development of an alternative raw material saving over 90% of its cost.
  • Responsible for catalyst technology transfer to CRI, an independent subsidiary manufacturer.

Education
  • Ph.D Inorganic Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 1978
  • B.S. Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts

Thesis
  • Synthesis of Some Organometallic and Coordination Complexes of the Lanthanide Elements.  Part I. Mixed Sandwich Complexes.  Part II. Poly(pyrazol-1-yl)borate Complexes. Advisor: Prof. Josef Takats.

Patents
United States: 48 granted, (recent):
9,745,230- Oligomerization of alpha olefins
9,441,061- Polymer film with improved heat seal
9,334,203- Oligomerization of alpha olefins used for lubricant blends
9,353,202- Deterring fouling in a polymerization reactor
8,828,529- Improved barrier resin
8,748,546- Dual metallocene system
8,609,793- Bridged metallocene

Patent Applications
United States: > 20 in process

Publications / Presentations 
M.P. McDaniel, A.P. Masino, et.al., Metallocene Activation by Solid Acids, in: J.R. Severn and J.C. Chadwick (Eds.), Tailor-Made Polymers: Via Immobilization of Alpha-Olefin Polymerization Catalysts, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, 2008, pp. 171-210, Chapter 7.
 
M.P. McDaniel, Q. Yang, A.P. Masino et.al.,  Metallocene Activation by Solid Acids, Society of Plastics Engineers 2007 Conference, Houston, TV, Feb. 25-28, 2007.
 
A. Masino, (contrib.), Synthetic Methods of Organometallic and Inorganic Chemistry (Herrmann/Brauer). F.T. Edelmann, (ed.), Vol. 6, pp 129-134. Georg Thieme Verlag, New York, 1997.

A. Masino, “Metallocenes as Catalysts for Olefin Polymerization,” Tri State Catalyst Club, Cincinnati, Ohio. 1993.
 
J. Petersen, A. Masino, and R. Stewart, Jr., “X-Ray Diffraction Studies of the Influence of Lattice Effects on the Metal Carbonyl Framework of the [Mo2(CO)10(mu-H)]-  Monoanion.” J. Organometal. Chem. 208  55  (1981).
 
K. Bagnall, A. Tempest, J. Takats and A. Masino, “Lanthanoid Poly(pyrazol-1-yl)borate Complexes.” Inorganic and Nuclear Chem. Letters 12  555 (1976).
 
J.Jamerson, A. Masino and J. Takats, “Synthesis of Mixed Sandwich Complexes of the Lanthanides, (h8-C8H8)Ln(h5-C5H5).” J. Organometal. Chem. 65 C33  (1974).
 
J.Jamerson, A. Masino and J. Takats, “Synthesis of Mixed Sandwich Complexes of the Lanthanides” Proc. 6th Int. Conf. Organometallic Chem., Amherst, Mass.  1973.
 
A. Masino, K. Orlandini, S. Fried and D. Cohen, “Anion Exchange Separation of Neptunium from Uranium and Thorium in Basic Solution.” Argonne National Laboratory Report, ANL-7751, October 1970.