Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering, Department Chair

Office Phone: 724-847-6711
accomer@geneva.edu 

Disciplines/Field of Instruction

• Chemical Engineering

Degrees Received

• Ph.D., 2011, Chemical Engineering, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
• M.S., 1982, Chemical Engineering, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
• B.S., 1980, Chemical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN

Courses Taught

• EGR 100 – Engineering: Calling and Vocation
• EGR 314 – Thermodynamics
• EGR 315 – Transport Processes
• CHE 301 – Chemical Engineering Processes
• CHE 302 – Unit Operations
• CHE 401 – Reactor Design
• CHM 312 – Advanced Laboratory (Physical/Inorganic)
• CHE 315 – Mass Transfer
• EGR 330 – Thermal Fluid Sciences
• EGR 331 – Thermal and Fluid Engineering Laboratory
• EGR 332 – Fluid Mechanics Laboratory
• EGR 481/482 – Senior Design

Publications

• A.C. Comer, C.P. Ribeiro, B.D. Freeman, S. Kalakkunnath and D.S. Kalika, "Dynamic Relaxation Characteristics of Thermally Rearranged Aromatic Polyimides", Polymer, 54, 891-900 (2013)
• A.C. Comer, A.L. Heilman and D.S. Kalika, “Dynamic Relaxation Characteristics of Polymer Nanocomposites Based on Poly(ether imide) and Poly(methyl methacrylate)”. Polymer, 51, 5245-5254 (2010)
• A.C. Comer, D.S. Kalika, V.A. Kusuma and B.D. Freeman, “Glass Transition and Gas Transport Characteristics of Polymer Nanocomposites Based on Crosslinked Poly(ethylene oxide)”.  J. Applied Polymer Science, 117, 2395-2405 (2010).
• A.C. Comer, D.S. Kalika, B.W. Rowe, B.D. Freeman and D.R. Paul “Dynamic Relaxation Characteristics of Matrimid Polyimide”.  Polymer, 50, 891-897 (2009).

Presentations - Oral

• A.C. Comer, “Safety and its Ethical Challenges for the Christian Engineer in a Technological Society”. Christian Engineering Conference Proceedings, Cedarville, OH, 2017.
• Panelist at AIChE Pittsburgh Annual Student Night Dinner, Pittsburgh, 2017.
• A.C. Comer, C.P. Ribeiro, B.D. Freeman, S. Kalakkunnath and D.S. Kalika, “Structure and Relaxation Characteristics of Thermally-Modified Aromatic Polyimides for Selective Separations”. AIChE Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City, 2010.
• A.C. Comer, A.L. Heilman and D.S. Kalika, “Dynamic Relaxation Properties of Polymer Nanocomposites”. AIChE Annual Meeting, Nashville, 2009.
• A.C. Comer, V.A. Kusuma, B.D. Freeman and D.S. Kalika, “Influence of Nanoparticle Filler on the Dynamic Relaxation Characteristics of Polymer Nanocomposites”. AIChE Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, 2008.

Presentations – Poster

• A.C. Comer and D.S. Kalika, “Investigation of Glass-Rubber Relaxation Characteristics in Polymer Nanoparticle Composites”.  AIChE Annual Meeting, Nashville, 2009.
• A.C. Comer, V.A. Kusuma, B.D. Freeman and D.S. Kalika, “Dynamic Relaxation Properties of Polymer Nanocomposites: Effect of Nanoparticles on the Glass-Rubber and Sub-Glass Transitions”.  AIChE Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, 2008.

Affiliations, e.g., membership in professional organizations, etc.

• American Institute of Chemical Engineers

Industrial Experience

• BP Oil Company, Toledo, OH
  • Senior Optimization Engineeer (Nov 2000 – Nov 2005)
    Performed tech service functions relating to day-to-day process problems. Process engineering functions encompassed: monitoring unit performance, optimizing unit efficiency, troubleshooting unit problems, supporting commercial plans, and process computer modeling. Technology focus: Crude/Vac distillation units, naphtha hydrotreater, saturates gas plant, reformer, diesel hydrotreater, FCC feed hydrotreater, merox jet fuel treater, and distillate blending
  • Senior Engineering Specialist ( Jul 1997 – Oct 2000)
    Performed project engineering functions relating to new installations, revamps, and revisions. Project engineering functions encompassed: conceptual design, cost estimation, economic analysis, equipment specification, detailed engineering, leading Hazop reviews, and writing operating manuals. Projects included: refinery yield and energy study, Diesel Supreme, & Simulation Champion.
• BP Oil Company, Lima,  OH
  • Senior Tech Service/Project Engineer (Nov 1991 – Jun 1997)
    Performed tech service functions relating to day-to-day process & project problems. Process Engineering functions encompassed monitoring unit performance, optimizing unit efficiency, troubleshooting unit problems, supporting LP updates, and process computer modeling. Technology focus: Crude/Vac distillation units, Isocracker, distillate fuels blending, chemical treaters, and aromatics. Projects included: Refinery flare study, crude debottlenecking, and crude simulator/optimizer development.
• Sun Refining & Marketing Company, Tulsa, OK
  • Associate Senior Process Engineer (Apr 1989 – Oct 1991)
• Allied Chemical Company, Hopewell, VA
  • Process Engineer (May 1984 – Mar 1989)
  • Project Engineer (Sep 1982 – May 1984)