The Permian Basin Local Section members were invited to attend the July 2022 Zoom seminar hosted by the Greater Houston Local Section. The two-part presentation was “Planting a SEED: Career Journey in Chemistry and Review of the History of Lubricant Development for Automotive A/C Compressor Systems”. Attendees had an opportunity to network before the seminar. Time was allotted afterwards for Q&A.
Dr. Bridgett Rakestraw
Dr. Bridgett Rakestraw is a project lead/formulator in the Strategic Research and Innovation group at CPI Fluid Engineering in Midland, Michigan. She obtained her Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry studying the reactions of the troposphere from the University of Cincinnati and B.S. in Chemistry from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. Prior to joining CPI, Dr. Rakestraw spent five years at BASF in Tarrytown, New York as a Scientist developing new additive technologies for automotive and industrial applications. In her current role, Dr. Rakestraw develops new lubricant formulations for use in low global warming potential for refrigeration and air-conditioning compressor systems.
During the first part of her talk “Planting a SEED: Career Journey in Chemistry”, Dr. Rakestraw shared her journey through her early education and career in chemistry. She expressed her appreciation for the support from her mentors and the ACS Project SEED program in helping her reach her goals.
The remainder of the seminar “Review of the History of Lubricant Development for Automotive A/C Compressor Systems” was an overview of the refrigeration industry. Environmental regulation had shifted the refrigeration industry towards more reactive refrigerants to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases and global warming potential (GWP). The primary modification in the automotive air conditioning industry is the incorporation of the HFO, R-1234yf, an unsaturated refrigerant, into these hermetically sealed systems. A comprehensive review of the chemical stability, miscibility and wear performance of lubricants designed for use with R-1234yf was highlighted.