Technical Reports and Recent Publications

(Client details have been omitted to preserve confidentiality.
Asterisks indicate confidential features of reports).

Contents

• Process reviews: audits, feasibility, costing
• Plant, equipment and process Design
• Mathematical modelling
• Plant failure, legal and insurance issues
• Environment and chemistry
• Material Stability Studies
• Risk
• Hazop studies and hazard analysis
• Other

Process reviews: audits, feasibility, costing

• "Report on visit to biodiesel pilot plant in Antwerp: Oct 2007." (November 2007)
• "An Appreciation of Processes for Conversion of Waste Plastic and Motor Oil into Fuels" for GTSA Engineering Pty Ltd, with Dr Judy Greenwood, (November 2007)
• "Review of Design of Supercritical Methanol Biodiesel Pilot Plant" For Nordic Biodiesel (July 2007)
• "The World Market for Polyethylene Emulsion" with Brett Alexander, (July 2007)
• "Initial Design and Feasibility of Carbon Dioxide Removal Plant for Upgrading Digestor Gas" with Brett Alexander, for Growcom Pty Ltd (May 2007)
• "New ideas for biodiesel production from fatty acids with emphasis on engineering and cost-effectiveness" (April 2007)
• "Commercial Conversion of Lignite to Liquid Fuels: A first appreciation of costs" (March 2007)
• "Report on Gas to PET: Initial examination of options for PET feedstocks", with A.J. Tomlinson (May 2005) for ****
• "Report on Eastman's IntegRex Process for making PET", with A.J. Tomlinson (May 2005) for ****
• "Options for Commercial Exploitation of Salts in a Mineral Plant Tailings Pond", for *** Pty Ltd (August, 2002).
• "Review of Technologies for Production of Biodiesel from Tallow and Vegetable Oils with Suggestions for Cost-Effective Full-Scale Process" (June, 2002).
• "Review of *** Technology for Simultaneous Use of Propane and Liquid Fuel in Diesel Engines" for *** Pty Ltd (February 2002).
• "Technical Review of Electrothermal Destruction Process for Destroying Medical Waste" (March 2001).

Site visit to a province in China to assess a plant for making waste plastic into synthetic diesel fuel, which was tested on the spot in an all-purpose vehicle

• "Site visit and Technical Evaluation of Process for Converting Plastic Waste into Liquid Fuels" for Hedony Energy Inc. (Canada), (January 2001).
• "Technical Audit of Integrated Chemical Plant (SAU, SIM and SIP) West Java, Indonesia", with Mr D. White for SMEC Engineers and also for AusAID (September 2000).

Site visit to a West Java Chemical Plant

• "Assessment of Technologies as Alternatives to Incineration for the Treatment of Clinical, Hospital and Other Wastes" for Environment ACT (May 2000).
• "Review of Process for Microwave Pre-treatment of Wood for Accelerated Drying", for Timbertech Pty Ltd, (February 2000).
• "Economic and Technical Constraints for Conversion of Hexachlorobenzene to Chlorinated Benzenes", for Department of Inorganic Chemistry, University of Sydney (March 1995).
• "Review of ICIA's Process for Destruction of Hexachlorobenzene" for ANUTECH Pty Ltd (December 1994).
• "Technical Appreciation of a Process for the Recovery of Nickel and Cadmium from spent Ni-Cad batteries" for HMR, (September 1994).
• "Feasibility Study of the Vacuum Evaporation Process for Removal of PCBs from Obsolete Capacitors"(August 1994).
• "Recycle of Computer Peripherals- An Initial Survey of the Technical and Economic Feasibility" for Hitechnology Metal Recyclers Pty Ltd. (November 1993).
• "A Review of the Independent Panel on Intractable Waste's Draft Options Grid and Accompanying Document" for the Independent Panel, with R.G.H Prince (July 1992).
• "An Appreciation of New Applications and Markets for the Spinning Cone Column" for Flavourtech Pty Ltd with R.G.H. Prince, (March 1992).
• "Review of Proposals for Refit of Lamellar Plate Separators at Bondi Sewage Treatment Plant" with R.G.H. Prince (April 1991).
• "Review of AUSTEP's proposal for Magnetite-Assisted Sedimentation at Malabar Sewage Treatment Plant" with R.G.H. Prince, (September 1990).
• "Technical Feasibility of Using Petroleum Pipeline (Banksmeadow - Silverwater) for Transport of Ethanol", (April 1990).
• "The Electrochemical Forms of the Sydox Process: Preliminary Designs and Costings", with R.G.H. Prince, (December 1989).
• "The Feasibility of the Sydox Process for the Destruction of Hexachlorobenzene" (July1989).

Plant, equipment and process design

• "Initial thoughts on Containment of MeBr and MeCl2 in Methyl Scopolamine Process" for Phytex (January 2008)
• "Review of certain design elements of Multitrode Water Depth Probe" (January 2008)
• "Design of a carbon dioxide evaporator" for Cryo Fin Pty Ltd (May 2004)
• "Design Philosophy of Biodiesel Plant" for *** (August 2002)
• "Options for Commercial Exploitation of Salts in a Mineral Plant Tailings Pond", for *** (August 2002).
• "Review of Gelling Agents for use in Water-Filled Sound-Absorbing Panels for W.S.P. Pty Ltd, (June, 2002).
• "Notes on Roofing over a Pond as a Means of Improving Evaporative Water Loss" with R.G.H. Prince, for Bigspace Technologies Pty Ltd (July 2001).
• "Heat Balances and Suggestions for Design of Compact Automotive LPG Vaporiser" for Gas Injection Technologies Pty Ltd (November 2000).
• "Design Calculations for a Fan-Forced Vaporiser for Liquid Nitrogen" for IWI Cryoquip Pty Ltd (November 2000).
• "Literature Review of Frosting of Heat Exchangers and Design Considerations for Fan-Forced Vaporisers" for IWI Cryoquip Pty Ltd (October 2000).
• "Design of chiller for Four Gas Streams using Tubes immersed in Liquid Nitrogen Bath" for IWI Cryoquip Pty Ltd (May 2000).
• Capacity and Pressure Drop for Liquid Nitrogen Vaporiser" for IWI Cryoquip Pty Ltd (May, 2000).
• "Design Considerations for Condensation of Magnesium Vapour from a Plasma Arc Furnace" for ****, with Dr Vincent Gomes, (May 2000).
• "Conceptual Designs for Liquid-Nitrogen Chilling of Rocket Fuel" for Leightons Contractors with C.K. Putt (Feb 2000).
• "Vapour Recovery at ADI Site Mulwala: Advanced Technology Scrubber (ATS) Budget Proposal" for ADI (January 2000).
• "Cost-Effective Insulation for Cryogenic Service" for IWI Cryoquip Pty Ltd (December 1999).
• "Detailed Design of Proposed Spa-Heating System at St Mary's Aquatic Centre" for "Ripples"/Penrith Council (October 1999).
• "Conceptual (thermal) Design and Costing for Isobutane Plant" for D J Batchen Pty Ltd (April 1999).
• "Calculation of Wind Stresses and Analysis of Earthquake Loads for Liquid Nitrogen Vaporiser" for IWI Cryo Systems Pty Ltd. (August 1998).
• "Flow Characteristics of 10-micron Filter Medium with Natural Gas (methane)" for Clam Engineering Pty Ltd (August 1998).
• "Continuous Wax Emulsion Plant for Hong Kong" Chem. Eng. Aust. 22, 25-27, 1997.
• "Process Selection for Manufacture of Pentosan Sulfate"with B.S. Haynes for ***** (January 1996).
• "Design considerations of Wax Emulsion Plant: Selection of Alternatives", with R. G.H. Prince for Peter Ellen International (October 1995).
• "Three-stage Countercurrent Leaching Plant: Mechanical Construction, Design Philosophy, Parts List and Drawings", for University of Queensland, Dept Chem. Eng. (June 1995).
• "First approximation Design for a Liquid-Nitrogen Vaporiser", for IWI Cryo Systems (May 1995).
• "Scrubber used to Cleanse Chemical Vapours" Waste Management and Environment, 7, p42,1995.
• "Pressure drop Estimation in a Liquid-Oxygen Vaporiser" for IWI Cryo Systems Pty Ltd (August 1995).
• "Plant Design for Transfer of Hazardous Liquids and Vapour" for CWDS Pty Ltd (July 1994).
• "Design Considerations for Fume Scrubbing at a Waste Handling Facility", for CWDS. Pty Ltd (February 1994).
• "Kinetics of Sodium/Ethanol reaction with suggestions for Reactor Design for Safe Operation." for CWDS Pty Ltd (July 1994).
• "Preliminary Detailed Design for Pilot Plant to recover Nickel and Cadmium from spent Ni-Cad Batteries", for HRM, (November 1994).
• "Vapour Control for Transferring Liquid Wastes", for C.W.D.S. Pty Ltd (November 1993)
• "Design of Air-Cooled Heat Exchangers. Part 1 Estimation for Supplying A Bid" for Condensing Vaporisers Australia Pty Ltd (October 1993).

Mathematical modelling

• "A View-Factor Spreadsheet Calculator for Circular Pool Fires" for HLA-Envirosciences Pty Ltd (July 2004).
• "Heat Loss Rates from Insulated Tank" for IWI Cryoquip Pty Ltd (January 2000).
• "Film Boiling and Implications for Operation of Liquid Nitrogen Vaporisers" for IWI Cryo Systems Pty Ltd (July 1999).
• "Strategies for Determining Flowrates of Natural Gas and Steam using Volumetric and Differential-Pressure Flowmeters" for Mann Industries Pty Ltd (September 1998).
• "Orifice: Software for calculating Pressure Drops across Orifices following AS2360" Program and Manual in VisualBasicª for IWI Cryo Systems Pty Ltd (September 1998).
• "An appreciation of the Uniflow Cyclone with a Mathematical Model of Performance", with Rolf G.H. Prince, for Ampol Petroleum (September 1995).
• "Analysis of Size Distribution and Mass Flows in a Countercurrent Lime Plant: Spreadsheets and Simulation programs" for **** (September 1994).
• "Calculation of Wind Stresses for Natural Gas Vaporiser" for Condensing Vaporisers Australia Pty Ltd. (August, 1993).
• "A Mathematical Model for the Catalytic Cracking Unit at Clyde Refinery" for Shell Refining Aust. Pty Ltd (February 1984).

Plant failure, legal and insurance issues

• Affidavit for Blake Dawson Waldren: Expert witness report on kidney-dialysis solution preparation patent (February, 2003).
• "Physical Properties of Explosion-Suppression Polythene Bags" for Terence Lockyer Lee and Associates, (March 2002).
• Critique of the Unisearch Report: "Inspection of the Icemaker of ***** Pty :Ltd" For Minter Ellison Lawyers, (August 2001).
• Reply to "Statement of Evidence: Commentary on Emissions from **** Pty Ltd Kurri Kurri, NSW "11 April, 2001, for P.J. Donnellan and Co. (May 2001)
• "Investigations into Damage of Refrigerant Receiver Vessels" for Austcold Pty Ltd (April 1999).
• "Deposition of Ammonium Sulfate Salts and Failure of Diesel Engines" for Atlas Copco Pty Ltd (February 1998).
• "Contaminated water accompanying release of Inerting Gas incident at ****. Comments on the Reports prepared on behalf of **** "(August,1997).
• "Investigation of Fire and Explosion in Lacquer Formulation Kettle, at ****", for ACARRE with Tweeddale, H.M. August 1994.
• "Preliminary Report on Sulfuric Acid Plant at ADI", for Babcock Engineering (January, 1993).
• "Site visit for Stress and Movement Testing of Sulfuric Acid Boiler Vessels at ADI" for Babcock/ABB (August, 1993).
• "Site visit for proving run of Sulfuric Acid Concentrating Plant at ADI" for Babcock/ABB."(August, 1993)
• "Technical Report on Exchangers E02/1, 2 and 3", for Linde Aust. March, 1993.
• "Reply to Reports from Plaintiff concerning the case of Failure of Linde Heat Exchanger operated by HCE Pty Ltd, Kurnell, NSW." January, 1992.
• "Analysis of Factors contributing to the Failure of Linde Heat Exchanger Operated by HCE Pty Ltd., Kurnell, NSW", December 1991.

Environment and chemistry

• "Technical Review of Electrothermal Destruction Process for Destroying Medical Waste" for Environment ACT (March 2001).
• "STATEMENT OF EVIDENCE: Technical review of certain affidavits in response to the motions to modify the Conditions of Development Consent for *** Pty Ltd Kurri Kurri, for P.J. Donnellan and Co. (February, 2001).
• "Validation of Mass Balance on Totalcare High-Temperature Incinerator" for Environment ACT (September 1999).
• "Estimation of HCN concentrations over a Pool Thickener" for *** (August, 1995).
• "Hazardous Waste or Recyclable Material: HMR's Options in the light of the Basel Convention." for HMR Pty Ltd (May, 1994).
• "Water interaction with Aluminium Dross and the potential for Gaseous Ammonia Formation" for ACARRE (September, 1993).
  
  
• "Alternative Processes and Reagents for Hydrazine as an Oxygen Scavenger in Boiler Feedwater" for Qld Electricity Commission with C. Mason, (July, 1992).
• "A Review of the Mercury Pollution Abatement Program at ICI Operations, Botany" with R.G.H. Prince. (October, 1991).
• "Discharge of Selenium from Power Station Ash Dams: Eraring, Vales Point - Quantity Speciation and Strategies for Control" for Pacific Power with P.B. Linkson, (August, 1991).
• "Notes and Mathematical Model for Evaporation of Refrigerated Liquid Spills" (May, 1991).
• "Aluminium Dross-Chemistry of Formation, Interaction with Water and Potential for Creating Water Pollution" for ACARRE (April, 1991).

Material Stability Studies

• "Properties of Polypropylene and Ethylene-Propylene Diene Monomer Rubber (EPDM) for application to domestic hot-water service" for Dux (February 2005).
• "Condom stability study literature review", for Enersol Pty Ltd (2004)
• "Report on the use of oxygen in accelerated stability tests for condoms", for Enersol Pty Ltd (2003)
• "Literature review of methods that may prove useful in quality control and shelf life prediction of latex condoms", for Enersol Pty Ltd (2003)
• "Program to develop methods for better prediction of the shelf life of condoms", for Enersol Pty Ltd (2003).
• "Leaching tests on condoms and report", for Enersol Pty Ltd (2001)
• "Report on "D and A Method" for accelerated stability testing of polymeric materials", for Enersol Pty Ltd (1995)
• "Condom Accelerated Shelf Life Testing", for Enersol Pty Ltd (1989)"

Risk

• "Review of dust-explosion risk and advice on means of amelioration" for Cerebos-Gregg's, New Zealand (June 2004).
• "Rate of flow of air from a Tank heated by Solar Radiation- a numerical model in Quickbasic¨" for ACARRE. (September 1993).
• "Quantitative Risk Analysis of the Du Pont Distribution Centre at Wetherill Park" with H.M. Tweeddale, (May 1990).
• "Corn Exchange Hotel Development: Assessment of Risk of Fire due to Petrol Tanker Incident" with H.M. Tweeddale, (February 1990).
• "Botany Road Development by Michael Hesse and Associates Pty Ltd, Review of Situation" with H.M. Tweeddale, (September 1989).

Hazop studies and hazard analysis

• "Hazard and operability study "HAZOP"of proposed Hazardous Waste Transfer Facility" for CWDS Pty Ltd (August, 1994).
• "Hazard Analysis of Proposed Solvent Stores and Proposed New Degassing Plant for Pax Australia Pty Ltd". with Tweeddale, H.M. November, 1991.
• "Hazard analysis and risk assessment of rail transport of sulfuric acid between Mount Isa and Phosphate Hill" for Queensland Phosphate, Krishnan, S., Davies, W.A., Tweeddale. H.M. August 1990.
• "Hazard Analysis Report for the Dupafloc Plant and Process" with H.M. Tweeddale, December, 1990.
• "Hazard and Operability Study of Pathological Waste Incinerator at Lithgow District Hospital" October 1990.

Other

• "Process Design Criteria" for Fluor Pty Ltd (January 2002).
• "Critique of Energy Management Report by Austa Energy Corp Ltd-May 1999" for Sutherland Leisure Centre (July 1999).
• "Due Diligence Review of ICT Diagnostics: Machines and Engineering" for AMRAD Pty Ltd (February 1998).
• "Operation of 6000-l tank for Waste-Solvent Transfer according to requirements of appropriate Australian Standards", for CWDS Pty Ltd, (June 1995).
• "Review of certain areas of Manufacturing and Quality Control at Seohung factory (S. Korea)" for ENERSOL Consulting Engineers Pty Ltd. (November 1994).
• "Analysis of the Possible Causes Pinholing in Gyprock Cement" for CSR Gyprock Bradford Pty Ltd (February 1994).
• "Protocol for the Fumigation of SPF-3 Animal House at Little Bay", for the University of Sydney (June 1993).
• "Design Considerations for Supercritical Water Extractor and Coal Gasifier", for Coalloid Engine Company Pty, Ltd (January 1993).
• "Supercritical Water. A Review, Report and Collection of Thoughts" for Coalloid Engine Company (November 1992).
• "Bond's Work Index on Cement Raw Mix for Blue Circle Southern Cement" for Blue Circle Southern Cement Pty Ltd (October 1992).
• "The Origin of Brown Stain on Fibre-Reinforced Plastic Swimming Pools" (April 1992).
• "Water Quality Control: Water Input, Pumping and Heating Requirements". with R.G.H. Prince and J.P. Barford, (August 1990).
• "Review of Toxicity and Hazards of Acrylic Monomers with relevance to Toxic Fumes Pollution of ABC Offices at Gore Hill" with D. Nobbs, (January 1990).
• "The Eurotherm Cascade Controller Software Package: Operation of Automated Mashing Controller", for Tooheys Pty Ltd, (February 1989).
• "Report on the scale-up of Chromatography and other Operations for the Development and Manufacture of the Agen Test", (January 1989).
• "Notes for Dismantling, Maintenance and Operation of Rigs for Engineering Applications Laboratory-Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Sydney", (December 1988).
  • Contributions to "Professional Engineering" a first-year course with Dr Carolyn Baillie and Dr Paul McHugh of the University of Sydney.  We covered the arts aspects of engineering including: communication, ethics, liability and environmental awareness.  The piece written on oral communication stands up pretty well I reckon.  If you want some thoughts on how to give a talk, here it is as a PDF.