(28e) Collaborations Between FRI and OSU Chemical Engineering

After 36 years of operation in Alhambra, CA, Fractionation Research, Inc. (FRI) relocated to the campus of Oklahoma State University (OSU) in Stillwater, OK in 1990.   The potential for collaboration was a major factor that influenced OSU's successful bid to be FRI's new home.  Modest amounts of collaboration were realized between OSU's School of Chemical Engineering and FRI in the 1990's and early 2000's.  However, after the arrival of Mike Resetarits at FRI in 2008, a remarkable level of mutually beneficial collaboration has been realized. 

This paper documents the history of collaboration between FRI and OSU with a focus on the benefits realized by both parties.  Proprietary work performed by OSU for FRI is not addressed.  The number of OSU faculty and students (graduate and undergraduate) who benefit from FRI/OSU collaboration is much greater than most would predict.  Under the direction of Mr. Resetarits, the FRI technical and operating staff has become an integral part of the OSU Chemical Engineering education and research programs.  FRI staff serves on graduate student committees, provides guest lectures in both undergraduate and graduate level courses, and routinely provides tours of the FRI unit.  Exit interviews with graduating seniors always acknowledge the benefits of interactions with FRI. 

The majority of the paper will highlight the wide range of topics that have involved collaboration between FRI and OSU.  While all are related to the study of distillation and mass transfer, many involve applications of heat transfer, process control, safety and risk management as required implementing and studying mass transfer.  These projects are performed in parallel without disruption of FRI's primary mass transfer research program.  The ability to visualize and implement these parallel projects while establishing new FRI records for safety and productivity is a testament to the value added by Mr. Resetarits during his tenure as Technical Director at FRI.