RJK Consulting is committed to providing you with the environmental monitoring and analysis. We approach every project with a focus on accuracy, functionality, cost, and efficiency.
Dr. Robert J. Kricks, Ph.D.
Dr. Kricks has 27 years of experience specializing in the design, implementation, and direction of air quality and meteorological monitoring programs, specialized field studies, complex environmental programs, and continuous emissions monitoring measurement projects. He has been a key contributor in the development of open-path FTIR technology and is a recognized expert in the application of open-path remote optical sensing for hazardous waste site remediations and to industrial facility monitoring. He has also supervised analytical laboratory operations, and provided research and development direction for new product areas.
Experience
RJK Consulting (1996-present)
Set-up and operated a sole proprietorship environmental air consulting business focused on optical remote sensing, process FTIR applications, and continuous emissions monitoring (CEM ) system design and applications.
Hardware/ software development and market direction for a confidential manufacturer of open-path FTIR equipment making its’ initial market entry.
Design, procurement including specification development and vendor evaluation, and management of the vendor during system build-up, installation, and start-up / testing phases for a CEM system for a cogeneration facility in New York.
Application of an innovative laser-based remote sensing technology for use at industrial/ waste treatment facilities for hydrogen sulfide detection.
Program operations and data validation over a period of six weeks for an ambient extractive FTIR study in the vicinity of a West Coast oil refinery.
Designed, managed installation and operations, and provided data validation and quality assurance for an open-path FTIR network at a chemical plant in Idaho. This network has operated from 1999 until 2002 t and was likely the largest operating open-path FTIR program in the United States from 1999 through 2000.
Applied Summa canisters for VOC and air toxic compound collection for several projects at wastewater treatment and business facilities. Designed and implemented the QA/QC procedures for these projects and evaluated the project data.
Involved in several programs involving the use of flux chambers for emission rate assessment of aeration basins.
ETG Services / Carala Air Associates (1994 - 1996)
Vice president of monitoring services responsible for all company air monitoring efforts including optical remote sensing, CEM, ambient, and meteorological monitoring. Provided technical direction, proposal preparation, marketing assistance, and project management. Assisted in corporate profit and loss statement preparation, budgeting, and procurement. Responsible for the administration of 4-5 people.
Developed and directed implementation of analytical software improvements for use in open-path FTIR data analysis and report preparation.
Managed all aspects of recently completed landmark open-path FTIR test program at a western U. S. oil refinery that determined the overall suitability of this technology for perimeter monitoring.
Supervised and participated in the design of a test method and test hardware for combustion turbines for two New Jersey utilities.
Performed a comprehensive engineering feasibility assessment concerning the installation of open-path FTIR monitoring equipment at hazardous waste sites at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland. The engineering assessment considered issues such as extended operations, maintenance costs and labor, monitoring configurations, and housing design.
Directed an indoor air quality assessment for the City of New York at a wastewater treatment facility using open-path FTIR spectroscopy to characterize compounds in a hopper room in response to worker complaints of headaches and other symptoms.
Blasland, Bouck, and Lee ( 1990-1994)
Associate in charge of directing all air monitoring activities for the firm. Developed the capabilities and procedures for the use of open-path FTIR monitoring for hazardous waste sites and industrial applications. Directed all research in this area, and served as project manager for FTIR related projects. Responsible for administration of 3 - 4 people. Participated in marketing on corporate and divisional levels, and provided all costing for proposals required for monitoring projects. Projects generally carried out within existing profit goals.
Responsible for the development and testing of open-path FTIR spectroscopy for application to hazardous waste sites in conjunction with USEPA - ERT.
Managed the design, specification preparation, vendor evaluation, and selection for a 5 plant CEM system for a New Jersey based utility.
Directed over 20 optical remote sensing programs at hazardous waste and industrial sites.
Participated in an open-path FTIR / UV measurement study completed in support of a land ban no-migration petition at a southwestern oil refinery.
Enviroplan, Inc. (1974 - 1990)
Initial position of air scientist to final position as senior vice president in charge of air monitoring services and CEM products. Designed and supervised a wide range of environmental monitoring programs. Included the design and implementation of ambient air monitoring networks; supervision of ambient network operations; and specialized studies including tracer studies, LIDAR/COSPEC studies, and non-standard meteorological investigations. Responsible for full operation of corporate division, including overall management of 20 to 30 employees; profit and loss responsibility; budget determination and management; marketing, including direct client development, sales, and proposal preparation; and research and development direction. Had responsibility for the conception, development, and implementation of a CEM equipment and services group. Oversaw the growth of this area to gross sales exceeding 4 million dollars, the employment of 21 people, and the development of an assembly facility in the
Midwest.
Implemented and supervised the operation of a four power plant ambient air quality and meteorological monitoring system in Ohio. Directly supervised staffing, installation, and system operations including transition to a real-time, microprocessor based data reporting system.
Directed specialized field study for determination of lake breeze impact on ambient SO2 concentrations. Project involved the design and coordination of field efforts, which included a large ground-based monitoring network, special meteorological data collection, pival releases, Doppler radar operation, airborne and ground level tracer gas collection, and mobile monitoring using COSPEC. The field portion of this study covered three months and involved more than 20 field personnel.
Supervised assembly of and participated in the design of CEM systems for waste-to-energy facilities in Maine, New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. Equipment consisted of multi-point measurement systems for continuous measurement of opacity, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, oxygen, carbon monoxide, hydrogen chloride, and water vapor.
Directed the implementation of some of the first successful extractive FTIR-based CEM systems for incineration facilities in Canada.
Key Achievements
Started and developed the ambient air monitoring business at Enviroplan into a 2 million-dollar annual gross business, which was profitably operated between 1976 and 1990.
Evaluated and initiated the CEM business area at Enviroplan in 1985. Provided technical and administrative direction. Established sales organization that took sales to approximately 4 million dollars in 1990.
Successfully provided the R&D direction to develop an open-path optical remote sensing monitoring business at Blasland, Bouck, and Lee between 1990 and 1994.
Became a recognized expert in open-path measurement for remediation, indoor air, and industrial applications while at ETG Services.
Successfully started, and operated RJK Consulting since April 1996. Provide for all marketing, technical, and administrative requirements.
Educational Highlights
- Ph.D. in organic polymer chemistry - Stevens Institute of Technology 1974
- MS in organic chemistry - Stevens Institute of Technology 1972
- BS in chemistry - Stevens Institute of Technology 1970
- Project / supervisory management courses - American Management Association 1976 - 1979
- Meteorology short course - Rutgers University 1978
- 40-hour OSHA hazardous waste site training and annual 8-hour refreshers 1990-1996
- Developed and taught a graduate level course on the basics of air pollution assessment at Stevens Institute of Technology in 2005.
Professional and Community Activities
Air and Waste Management Association - Member since 1989. Technical committee vice chair from 1995 through 2000 and chair for 2001 and 2002. Speaker and session co-chair at numerous AWMA conferences.
Member Tau Beta Pi engineering honor society
New Jersey Mineralogical Society - Member since 1988, President 1994-1996
Member of Jaycees from 1980 - 1985
Numerous publications, see Selected Publications List