Superior Services for Fluidized Systems
Steven Kalota is founder and president of Expertech Consulting Inc. He has more than 30 years professional experience in the petroleum refining industry, with significant concentration and expertise in Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit (FCCU) technical service, engineering, operations, startup, trouble shooting, training, inspection, and environmental functions.
Mr. Kalota began his career with UOP in 1977 and worked in FCCU technology startup and continuing technical service positions for 6 of his 8 years of employment. In 1984, Mr. Kalota was employed first as the FCCU Process Engineer at the Champlin Petroleum Corporation refinery in Wilmington, California, and then promoted to Technical Services Manager in 1986. As TS Manager, he was responsible for a team of engineers to provide process design and operations support for all the refinery processes, including CCR Platforming, HF Alkylation, Butamer, and Delayed Coking, as well as FCCU.
Mr. Kalota was employed by Coastal Corporation as the Operations Manager at their refinery in Rodeo, California from 1987 to 1990. He oversaw the entire refinery operations and operating personnel, while also involved with selection and generation of a Process design package for a new SWEC FCCU for the refinery.
In 1990, Mr. Kalota was employed by M.W. Kellogg as a Process Design Manager in their FCCU Technology group. He held this position for 3 years, completing 2 grassroots unit designs and numerous revamp design projects. In 1993, he assumed responsibility as Technical Service Manager for all licensed Kellogg FCCU. In this function, he provided all on-site technical support for 60+ operating FCCU throughout the world to resolve processing, design, or technology issues.
Expertech Consulting Inc. was formed in November 1997 for the purpose of providing specialized technical services for all aspects of the Fluid Catalytic Cracking process, utilizing skills gained from service and design positions at M.W. Kellogg, two U.S. refiners, and UOP, as well as the industry’s foremost experience with on-site commissioning activities (17 grassroots, 20+ revamps). Expertech's mission statement is to provide rapid, cost-effective, professional operations, engineering, project support, technology evaluation, and training services to clients to boost their profitability through improved performance, equipment design, and reliability.
Expertech Consulting Inc. also is networked to other consulting groups and individuals to provide a full range of services. We are allied with The Process Group for professional support in FCCU downstream fractionation and absorption efforts and have access to independent M.E. and CAD personnel with previous, significant FCCU exposure.