About David A. Rockstraw, Ph. D., P. E.
Welcome to the professional story of Dr. David A. Rockstraw, a foremost expert in chemical engineering, process forensics, and safety analysis. With decades of experience spanning academia, industry, and government labs, Dr. Rockstraw has built a career dedicated to advancing chemical process technology, ensuring safety in the handling of hazardous materials, and finding truth in adjudicative processes.
Background & Career
A Distinguished Journey in Chemical Engineering
Dr. Rockstraw’s career is marked by a blend of academic excellence and real-world expertise. Formerly the Robert Davis Distinguished Professor and Department Head of Chemical Engineering at New Mexico State University, he has played a pivotal role in shaping engineering education and research. His extensive work covers diverse areas such as:
- Chemical Process Design: Expertise in commercial R&D from benchtop, through pilot, to full-scale commercial implementation of processes having capital investments in the $100s of millions.
- Process Analysis & Forensics: Expertise in material and energy balance techniques to resolve complex issues in process safety.
- Intellectual Property & Expert Witness Services: Over 85 expert witness engagements and 30+ technical consulting roles in litigation, arbitrations, and depositions.
Bridging Theory and Practice
From serving as a co-PI on NSF grants to leading groundbreaking research in reaction engineering, kinetics, and transport phenomena, Dr. Rockstraw’s contributions have advanced the fields of:
- Chemical Plant Design & Simulation: Utilizing advanced tools like Aspen Plus®, DWSIM, HYSYS®, Matlab, and Mathcad for process optimization and economic evaluation.
- Laboratory Skills: 40+ years of bench research.
- Scale-Up & Process Safety: Addressing challenges such as runaway reactions, spontaneous combustion, and explosions.
Process Safety Management: Ensuring compliance with 29 CFR 1910.119 since 1992.
Areas of Expertise
Comprehensive Chemical Engineering Consulting
Dr. Rockstraw offers a wide array of services that cater to both industrial and legal needs:
Technical Consulting
Process design, chemical plant construction and operation, start-up support, and economic evaluation in sectors including commodity chemicals, energy, water, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, and agricultural chemicals.
Forensic Analysis
Detailed investigation into process failures, yield loss, and product contamination issues using state-of-the-art simulation and analytical methods.
Expert Witness Services
Providing testimony in cases involving trade secrets, intellectual property disputes, inter partes review, and other litigation matters related to chemical and materials phenomena.
Specialized Technical Domains
His expertise spans a broad spectrum of the chemical industry, including
Chemical Industries
Commodity chemicals, specialty chemicals, petrochemicals, fluorochemicals, monomers/polymers/plastics.
Pharmaceutical Intermediates & Agricultural Chemicals
Advanced process design and simulation for chemical production.
Advanced Processing Technologies
Ultrasonic flash pyrolysis, nanoparticle synthesis, additive manufacture, and electromembrane processes.
Separation & Purification
Reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration, distillation, azeotropic distillation, spray drying, emulsification, and more.
Academic & Industry Contributions
Leadership in Engineering Education
Dr. Rockstraw’s impact on chemical engineering education is profound. He has mentored countless students and professionals, emphasizing the critical importance of safety, economic efficiency, and innovation in the chemical process industry.
Real World Impact
His work in forensic analysis and process safety has helped companies avoid catastrophic failures, optimize operations, and navigate the complexities of modern chemical processing. Whether it’s addressing simple issues in material and energy balance calculations, managing risks of explosive reactions, or implementing complex heat and mass transfer strategies, Dr. Rockstraw’s guidance is trusted across multiple sectors.
Inquire Today
Ready to leverage expert chemical engineering consulting and forensic analysis for your project?
With a proven track record in chemical engineering and process forensics, Dr. David A. Rockstraw is uniquely positioned to offer insights and solutions for your most challenging projects. If you need expert consulting, forensic analysis, or legal support in areas ranging from petrochemicals and biofuels to membranes and reaction engineering, inquire today.