Mohammad Kavand
Process Engineer
Calgary,AB
Summary
Results-driven P.Eng Process Engineer with 10+ years of progressive experience delivering Feasibility Studies, Conceptual Design, and FEED packages for oil & gas, petrochemical, and refinery facilities, alongside minerals processing, water treatment, and CO₂ capture/decarbonization projects. Proven ability to lead multiple concurrent projects in fast-paced, lean-execution environments, from process simulation (HYSYS, Aspen Plus, METSIM) and PFD/P&ID development through HAZOP reviews, MOC administration, line/PSV/equipment sizing, and design compliance with API, ASME, CSA, and NFPA standards. Experienced mentoring junior/EIT engineers and interfacing directly with clients and vendors to move quickly from concept to deliverables while maintaining strong engineering quality across brownfield and greenfield scopes. Track record of measurable outcomes including 40% reductions in processing time, $500K+ in cost savings, and 90% CO₂ reduction in a cement plant capture project. P.Eng registered in Canada (APEGA/EGBC).
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Lead Process Design Engineer
Envicore Inc.
Calgary, AB
11.2023 - Current
- Led feasibility studies and conceptual design for mineral and materials processing plants, supplementary cementitious material (SCM) executing scale-up from bench to pilot and industrial levels (×30 and ×100).
- Built METSIM and Aspen Plus simulations for thermal systems (rotary kilns, coolers, dryers, dewatering units), performing full heat and mass balance optimization, reactivity and performance of product (for +20 different feed stock.
- Delivered complete FEED packages: basis of design, PFDs, P&IDs, OpEx/CapEx estimates, and equipment sizing datasheets. ($ 40 M)
- Identified and implemented process debottlenecking and heat integration improvements, reducing total energy requirements across multiple plant streams.
- Managed vendor coordination and procurement support for process equipment purchases, ensuring compliance with design specifications; visited vendor warehouses to verify equipment quality and fit.
- Mentored and provided technical guidance to junior/EIT process engineers on simulation methodology, deliverable quality, and design calculations; ensured designs met applicable codes and standards (ASME, API, CSA).
Lead Chemical Process Engineer
Cheyne Industries Co.
Vancouver, BC
03.2022 - 12.2023
- Engineered and validated an engineered clay-based phosphorus sorbent from bench scale through pilot plant, including site surveys, water/soil sampling, clay purification, and manufacturing scale-up.
- Generated PFDs and P&IDs; sized and specified pumps, filter cakes, RO units, dryers, pelletizers, and 2-3 phase separators.
- Leveraged PI software and AI-assisted automation for process data monitoring, performance tracking, and trend analysis.
- Maintained regulatory compliance and safety standards across all project phases in a multi-disciplinary team environment.
Process Engineer (PhD Research Program)
REGAL / Université Laval / Alcoa
Quebec City, QC
10.2015 - 06.2021
- Designed micro/macro-scale fixed-bed reactor models for aluminum anode gasification وelectrochemical reactions in aluminum smelters.
- Developed a novel multi-scale CFD modeling approach for non-catalytic heterogeneous reaction engineering; findings adopted by Alcoa.
- Collaborated directly with Alcoa engineers to diagnose and resolve operational challenges in active smelting facilities.
- Applied DOE methodology across multiple concurrent projects; delivered findings at international conferences in Brazil, UK, and Canada, earning multiple Best Presentation and Best Poster awards.
Chemical Process Engineer
Tima Kala Tehran Engineering Co.
07.2012 - 08.2015
- Executed process simulation and design for oil & gas, petrochemical, and municipal projects using Aspen Plus and HYSYS, covering both brownfield and greenfield scopes.
- Developed utility and process piping specifications, performed flow assurance and hydraulic evaluations, and supported design reviews for steam, condensate, cooling water, and process fluid systems.
- Developed and maintained PFDs and P&IDs; completed FEED studies evaluating technical and economic feasibility for new-build projects.
- Performed hydraulic calculations, line and pipeline sizing, PSV/relief valve sizing, pressure-drop analysis, and equipment selection (pumps, heat exchangers, reactors, and separators) for petrochemical and industrial facilities; coordinated specifications with mechanical and electrical disciplines.
- Conducted HAZOP reviews, process hazard analyses (PHA), and process safety evaluations; participated in formal PSM reviews.
- Provided ongoing technical support to clients on process design, operating procedures, and troubleshooting.
Process Engineer - Wastewater Treatment
South Raadab Engineering Co.
06.2009 - 07.2012
- Designed and evaluated 10+ wastewater treatment facilities integrating RO, oxidation, biofiltration, adsorption, flotation, UV, and filtration systems, including PSV/relief valve and equipment sizing calculations in compliance with applicable codes and standards (CSA, NFPA).
- Simulated heat, mass, and fluid mechanics for 30+ process units using HYSYS, Aspen Plus, and Aspen Adsim.
- Designed an RO plant with integrated biofiltration to eliminate bypass treatment requirements, delivering approximately $500K in capital and operating savings.
- Enhanced adsorbent reusability by 3×+ through physical and chemical activation methods, reducing material costs substantially.
- Updated SOPs & Standard Test Methods; administered Management of Change (MOC) processes for chemical & waste handling operations.
Process Engineer & R&D Manager
Excellent Environmental Center, Tehran Polytechnic
02.2009 - 06.2012
- Designed and scaled up a Rapid Catalytic Cracking facility in Isfahan to process 200 tons/day of urban waste, achieving 20% more liquid biofuel output.
- Designed a post-combustion CO₂ capture plant for a cement factory, achieving 90% CO₂ reduction using advanced solvents, sorbents, membranes, and hybrid systems.
- Designed and evaluated refinery wastewater treatment systems for oil & gas downstream facilities, addressing hydrocarbon separation, effluent quality, and regulatory compliance.
- Modified electrocatalysts via composition optimization and surface engineering to increase reusability by 3-5×.
- Applied DOE methodology (Minitab, Qualitek, MINTEQ) to reduce experimental runs by ~80%, saving significant cost and time across 20+ R&D projects.
- Lectured Design of Experiments and Numerical Methods at Amirkabir University of Technology.
Education
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - Materials Engineering
Université Laval
01.2022
Master of Science (MSc) - Chemical Engineering
Tehran Polytechnic University
01.2012
Bachelor of Science (BSc) - Chemical Engineering - Refinery Process Design
Tehran Polytechnic University
01.2009
Skills
- Process Simulation
- PFD Development
- P&ID Development
- BoD
- FEED
- Conceptual Design
- Equipment Sizing
- Equipment Selection
- Heat Balance Calculations
- Mass Balance Calculations
- Codes & Standards
- HAZOP
- Process Safety Reviews
- CO₂ Capture
- Decarbonization
- Debottlenecking
- MOC Support
- Mentoring
- Technical Leadership
- Line Sizing
- Pipeline Sizing
- PSV Sizing
- Vendor Support
- Procurement Support
- Aspen Plus
- Aspen HYSYS
- Aspen Adsim
- METSIM
- AutoCAD
- Microsoft Project
- PI System
- Minitab
- Qualitek
- MINTEQ
- HPLC
- GC
- TGA
- BET
- ICP-MS
- NMR
- AAS
- LC-MS
- UV-Vis
- Microsoft Office Suite
- AI automation tools
Technical Skills
Aspen Plus, Aspen HYSYS, Aspen Adsim, METSIM, AutoCAD (P&ID), Microsoft Project, PI System (OSIsoft), Minitab, Qualitek, MINTEQ, HPLC, GC, TGA, BET, ICP-MS, NMR, AAS, LC-MS, UV-Vis, Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project), AI automation tools
Certifications Professional Registration
- Professional Engineer (P.Eng), Engineers and Geoscientists BC (EGBC) / APEGA (Alberta)
- Mitacs Elevate Post-Doctoral Fellow, Mitacs Canada (competitive national research fellowship, $160,000)
- Mitacs Accelerate Post-Doctoral Fellow, Mitacs Canada ($115,000)
- Elsevier Certified Peer Reviewer, 50+ manuscripts reviewed | Process Safety & Environmental Protection; Journal of Hazardous Materials
Honours Awards
- Mitacs Elevate Post-Doctoral Fellowship, $160,000, Cheyne Industries / UNBC, Canada
- Mitacs Accelerate Post-Doctoral Fellowship, $115,000, True North Environmental / UNBC, Canada
- Doctoral Research Fellowship, $19,500, Université Laval, 2015-2019
- Best Poster Awards, REGAL 2019 (Université Laval); Fuel & Energy 2017 (University of Manchester)
- Best Presentation Awards, ICSOBA 2018, Belém, Brazil; REGAL 2018, McGill University
- Bronze Medal, Iranian National Chemistry Olympiad (2002), Member, Iran National Elites Foundation
Publications Professional Activity
- 16+ peer-reviewed journal papers in chemical engineering and materials science., scholar.google.com/citations?user=l9Ft0zEAAAAJ
- Book chapter: 'Physical and Physicochemical Separation of Microplastics and Nanoplastics from Water', Elsevier
- Peer reviewer for 50+ manuscripts: Process Safety & Environmental Protection; Journal of Hazardous Materials
Timeline
Lead Process Design Engineer
Envicore Inc.
11.2023 - Current
Lead Chemical Process Engineer
Cheyne Industries Co.
03.2022 - 12.2023
Process Engineer (PhD Research Program)
REGAL / Université Laval / Alcoa
10.2015 - 06.2021
Chemical Process Engineer
Tima Kala Tehran Engineering Co.
07.2012 - 08.2015
Process Engineer - Wastewater Treatment
South Raadab Engineering Co.
06.2009 - 07.2012
Process Engineer & R&D Manager
Excellent Environmental Center, Tehran Polytechnic
02.2009 - 06.2012
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - Materials Engineering
Université Laval
Master of Science (MSc) - Chemical Engineering
Tehran Polytechnic University
Bachelor of Science (BSc) - Chemical Engineering - Refinery Process Design
Tehran Polytechnic University