Fuels and Petrochemicals Division

      Harry West   1^st Vice Chair (V Oct 2006)

      Gavin Towler   CTOC Liaison

      James Turner,   Future 2^nd Vice Chair

      Syamal Poddar Future Treasurer

      Steve Coleman Director (2^nd Year)

      Ralph Pike  Director (2^nd Year)

      Dennis O’Brien Director (1^st Year)

      Bipin Vora   Future Director

      Robert Dye  Newsletter Editor

2.1   Treasurer Mike Oballa (via telecom) referred to the various treasury reports which he had emailed to key officers 18 Apr 05.  Refer attachments to these minutes.  (Future issues to be made to all officers at least one week pre-committee meeting in future).

2. 2005 budget, income, revenue data did not include the AIChE revenue payments.  This to be advised to officers post-meeting (within 4 weeks) by Mike and Syamal.
3. 2006 budget proposal ($16k) can then be reviewed relevantly and will be discussed/approved (end May).
4. Recent FAPD impressed account is still with Fluor Houston Credit Union (originally established by James Turner, ex-treasurer).  New treasurer, Syamal Poddar, will coordinate new account location.
5. Recent FAPD election costs to be paid from impressed account.  This will involve instructing AIChE to transfer adequate FAPD account funds.  Mike/Syamal to organize

1. Christine Grady joined committee meeting and provided relevant details and demonstration.  Target completion date for AIChE and all linked divisions/forums is 1 Jul 06.  To date only two such sub-sites are in place.  Refer Oct 2005 minutes for the associated information.
2. FAPD to pay three year fee to AIChE ($360 per year) for web access/assistance.
3. FAPD objective is to activate our new website ASAP.  These minutes and other key data to be placed on website this year.
4. The website FAPD folder will have restricted access to FAPD data (to members) and FAPD executive committee data (to officers).
5. FAPD website committee members:

Galen Suppes

Harry West

Marty Poole

Dennis O’Brien

Colin Bowen 

             Galen, Dennis, Colin to coordinate with Christine to set up FAPD sub-website.  Christine will send us a copy of the website demonstration and manual.

6. When site is activated secretary will load key documents, eg. these minutes, by-laws, etc onto the FAPD officers restricted portion.  When then approved by other officers they will be opened to all FAPD members.  Christine to assist.

1. Post Spring meeting, Marty Poole is past chair and hence now chair of the nominating awards committee.  Other members are:

      Dennis O’Brien

      Isaac Rahmim 

• Gavin Towler, Lori McDowell report

1. AIChE current assets approx $1.1MM.  Cash flow is now positive.  Membership is still declining but at a lower rate (2004 – 8%; 2005 - 5%; 2006 – 3%).  FAPD membership is approx constant.

2. AIChE management key focus elements are:

• Membership promotion
• Energy policy, technology
• International USA development

3. In order to accomplish key recruitment activity, further work must be conducted with student and regional conferences.  AIChE division officers to be actively involved in assisting such meetings and publication.   Further specific details in item 8.0 following.

Most recent issue circulated mid April.  Next issue planned for July 06.  Colin to forward updated FAPD officer list; Lori to forward updated FAPD program chair/co-chair list by 1 June to Bob. 

1. Refer attached listing of program sections and officers updated by Lori subsequent to our executive committee meeting.
2. Section D (Energy) and E (Future Technology) were previously merged. Recognizing current importance of energy it was now suggested to re-arrange.  Energy topics include coal, bio-diesel, gasification, ethanol, GTL, CTL.  It was subsequently confirmed by Lori that Section D will include both the energy and the future technology topics.

1. FAPD program divisions and regional sections are encouraged to support associated student meetings.  An upcoming example is the next Chicago meeting organized by Dennis O’Brien for Oct 06.  Program outline:

      Day 1 – Refining   Chair: Dennis O’Brien

      Day 2 – Energy  Chair: Dr. Pearl

      Sponsors: UOP, ExxonMobil, BP

      Attendees: ~ 125 professionals, ~ 40 students

      Small fee for professionals 

2. To encourage further FAPD membership it is essential to recruit new graduates; various related incentives discussed, eg. refining CD, gas processing new CD, ethylene web access.

1. Next Spring Meeting will be in George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston 22-26 April 07.
2. Program manager: Dennis Griffith

      Assistant manager: Lori McDowell

3. One key topic which will be supported by FAPD (Section 16C) and AIChE Group 5 (Management) is the proposed industry management one day event.  Theme will be resource management, project management, development management, etc. Key audience focus will be operating company and contractor middle management personnel.  FAPD officer – linked companies are requested to provide associated representatives (Fluor, BP, Bechtel, SSW, Emerson, et al).  Incentive single day pricing proposed.  Tom Mildenhall of AIChE was subsequently designated as program coordinator; Gavin Towler is providing assistance.
4. A similar one-day topic re. plant maintenance is also proposed.  This could be coordinated with the Ethylene Producers proposed anti-hurricane theme.
5. The 2008 Spring meeting will be in New Orleans.  It will coincide with the ACS meeting.  So various links are tentatively planned, eg. joint (reduced?) registration cost, keynote address, dinners, etc.  That will also be the AIChE centennial.
6. Subsequent to this executive committee meeting one of our guest attendees, Tim Olsen, a designated 2007 Spring meeting session chair has offered his further related assistance.

1. Approved plan to create a Gas Processing CD, similar to that previously produced for Refining.  That CD has been frequently distributed to FAPD recruits/candidates with positive results.  The two topics could in future be combined.
2. To assist with the content of these CD’s it was suggested that we request a candidate student and linked academic officer to organize (nominal payment, eg. $2k).  Organization of the above activities to be by Gavin, Isaac, Dennis Griffith.
3. South TX AIChE chapter sells the refining CD’s at $50.  Free copies given to student members.
4. Approx 400 new student members have been recruited.  Committee approved $750 to cover cost of producing and mailing the refining CD to these new members.  Dennis Griffith will organize and advise treasurer of exact cost.
5. The availability of the new FAPD website as an alternative method of providing similar access to such CD material to members was discussed.  But it was still regarded as more convenient to have the actual CD.

1. Rick and Colin had recently discussed with an officer of the AIChE Ammonia Safety committee the possibility of their re-associating with the Spring meeting.  Considerable reluctance expressed.  But we will attempt to invite and involve them to some degree in the 2007 Houston Conference.
2. Best paper/presentation award arrangements were discussed.  Details to be defined.  Award sponsorship at this Spring meeting was by Jacobs ($250).
3. National meeting poster paper student award was also discussed.  In order to make the actual award at the end of that conference it will involve concurrent evaluation by the award committee.  Rick to advise recommended procedure.  Award will consist of an appropriate plaque (subsequent engraving if appropriate), $200, free CD.
4. The ability of AIChE to post conference papers on its website was described.  If the author/presenter doesn’t specifically claim copyright on his paper or presentation, then AIChE by default is allowed to post such material.
5. A special cost assistance was made to this year’s FAPD keynote speaker, Dr. Michelle Foss, UT Austin TX; she described current US oil/gas energy economic issues; FAPD had approved a payment of $500 to cover her expenses.

1. FAPD website coordinators to arrange payment and early site initiation with AIChE person, Christine Grady (refer items 3.0).
2. Past/present treasurers (Mike/Syamal) to issue complete 2005 data and proposed 2006 budget for approval by end May (refer item 2.2).
3. Future treasurer Syamal to link with past treasurer James to decide FAPD impressed account new location.
4. Secretary and program chair (Colin/Lori) to provide updated member listing to Flashpoint editor (Bob) by 1 June.
5. Action item 4 from preceding minutes (FAPD to assist South TX Chapter, Sep 06 Energy Technology Showcase, action Lori) still requires action.
6. New CD (Gas Processing) actions per item 10.2.
7. Student CD (Refining) actions per item 10.4.
8. National meeting poster paper award evaluation follow-up activities and FAPD individuals to be specified for next meeting (San Francisco 12 Nov. 2006) per item 11.3.