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Dr. Buehler specializes in the application of chemical engineering principles to the analysis, investigation, and prevention of accidents with emphasis on fires, explosions, and chemical releases. He has investigated numerous fires and explosions at petroleum refineries, natural gas and chemical process facilities, and other locations where chemicals were involved such as warehouse storage and containerized transport. Further, Dr. Buehler has characterized, quantified, and evaluated the chemical fate of numerous atmospheric releases and spills, including flare emissions during periods of a process upset as well as developed test programs and engineering analysis for examination of indoor air quality.
Dr. Buehler’s projects have involved the performance evaluation and failure analysis of a wide range of process equipment. He has developed chain-of-events scenarios from various sources of evidence including physical artifacts, process measurement data, sample analyses, electronic event logs, eyewitness accounts, surveillance video, and simulations. Dr. Buehler’s area of expertise further extends to the stability and hazard potential of chemicals and chemical mixtures and the compatibility of materials with specific chemical environments. He has investigated incidents involving self-heating or thermal runaway of chemicals and unintentional chemical reactions of incompatible materials.
The production and use of hydrogen, biogas, and other alternative sources of energy interests Dr. Buehler. Of particular interest are gasification systems to convert materials such as coal or organic wastes into hydrogen, syngas, and synthetic fuels.
Prior to joining Exponent, Dr. Buehler has held research positions with academic institutions such as Villanova University and Purdue University and has also worked as a researcher for the ARCO Chemical Company. | 