Chris Boljkovac

Aug 2006 - May 2025

Senior Optimization Specialist (2017-2025), RTO Engineer (2006-2017)

Led the development and maintenance of online process models, data reconciliation, and optimization systems for a refinery, two heavy oil upgraders, and two petrochemical plants. Ensured that all systems were expanded and utilized in innovative ways to improve margin, safety, quality, and reliability. Worked closely with operations, economics, and technical teams to identify new opportunities that aligned with business goals.

• Delivered $10-15M per year in operating profit improvement by developing and maintaining a refinery-wide real-time optimization (RTO) system that generated 40+ targets across the crude, hydrocracker, aromatics, and gas recovery units.
• Achieved $1-2M per year improvement in operating profit by implementing two heavy oil upgrader A&V unit RTO systems, with tools to monitor constraint relaxation values and heat exchanger cleaning benefits.
• Increased refinery margin by $1-4M monthly by implementing an online, model-based relief load estimator for a crude column that enabled maximum feed diet flexibility while ensuring safe operation.
• Increased operating profit by $40K per day by developing a non-linear control method to produce high-quality C5-C6 diluent using existing advanced control (APC) and optimization (RTO) applications.
• Produced $20K per day in crude unit yield improvement by deploying a rigorous online furnace model to enhance firing limit prediction, enabling up to a 4°C increase in outlet temperature.
• Increased crude furnace inlet temperature by 2-5°C by incorporating hydraulics into an existing online process model, allowing optimal heat exchanger bypass flows to be calculated.
• Created a new back-blended bulk pricing method for unit RTO systems that offered more precise internal stream valuation compared to earlier cutpoint-based methods.
• Deployed data reconciliation systems for refinery, chemical plant, and upgrader units and promoted their use in process analysis, flow meter performance monitoring, and production accounting.
• Developed a comprehensive site optimization plan that highlighted the benefits of including new feed and
  product analyzers, integrating tank inventory and product blending systems, and adopting new optimization technologies.
• Conducted offline simulation studies to analyze current performance, forecast future performance, and assess  proposed process changes and de-bottlenecking strategies.
• Led corporate teams that established best practices for data reconciliation and optimization systems, equipment modeling, and fostering talent growth.
• Provided site technical expertise, managed projects, performed troubleshooting, trained users, and developed site configuration standards for a 390K+ point data historian (AVEVA PI).

Sep 2003 - Nov 2005

Senior Automation Engineer

Managed over 500 control loops, more than 200 operator displays, a data historian (AVEVA PI), and advanced controls for a pulp mill, steam system, and wastewater treatment plant. Monitored distributed control system (DCS) health, addressed system issues, and performed hardware and software upgrades. Developed DCS programming standards, long-term automation upgrade plans, and capital project proposals.

• Increased production rates by 3-5% and reduced product quality variations by enhancing the parameter update method in a model-based batch digester control system.
• Saved $30K per trip in lost production by enhancing the load rejection of a 230 tonne per hour utility boiler.

Sep 2000 - Nov 2002

Senior Research and Development Engineer

Led the integration of open-equation technologies into HYSYS, including solution algorithms, optimization features, and process unit models. Provided technical expertise for real-time optimization (RTO) system proposals, designs, and project teams.

• Saved $50K in cost overruns on a HYSYS.RTO project by creating a mixed integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) algorithm for steam and power equipment selection.
• Increased solution speed by 5 to 10 times for challenging simulations by enabling the embedding of open-equation models in HYSYS flowsheets.

Aug 1998 - Aug 2000

Technology Manager, Co-founder

Directed the development of simulation software for operator training (OTS), process control, process design, and cloud-based modeling applications. Evaluated new simulation technologies, mentored software developers, and developed new modeling features, database interfaces, and prototypes.

• Generated $100K in additional license sales with the release of new MASSBAL modeling features.
• Secured a $200K operator training (OTS) project by developing an interface between MASSBAL and Simulink to support control system modeling.

Aug 1993 - Jul 1998

Senior Analyst (1997-1998), Team Leader (1994-1997), Analyst (1993-1994)

Led the development of the OPTIMIZER platform for real-time optimization (RTO) projects. Created a real-time executive system, including steady-state detection, data screening, and data interfaces. Upgraded the MASSBAL simulator with refinery reactor models (fluid catalytic cracker, hydrocracker, and HF-alkylation), distillation and heat transfer models, and thermodynamic packages. Implemented data reconciliation, gross error detection, and optimization algorithms.

• Awarded over $1.0M in real-time optimization (RTO) projects following the initial release of the OPTIMIZER platform.
• Secured a $300K multi-year process design and control project by prototyping a dynamic fired-boiler MASSBAL model for a client.

Sep 1991 - Apr 1993

Research Asssistant, Graduate Courses

Digital Process Control, Time Series Analysis, Stochastic Adaptive Control, Process Control Design

Sep 1986 - Apr 1990

Bachelor of Applied Science, BAScH

Chemical Engineering