Our employees have trained extensively in chemistry and chemical engineering. Team members are also trained in quality procedures, including Good Manufacturing Practices and Good Laboratory Practices. Darren Anweiler
Team Leader M.Sc., Chemical Engineering B.Sc, Chemical Engineering Profile Prior to joining SRC, Darren worked for DuPont Canada Inc. in both research and manufacturing, where he focused on developing technology and business expertise related to polyolefin catalysis, polyamide polymerization and polyamide fibre technologies. He managed technology development from R&D to commercial applications using structured processes for business development, technology management and project execution. His current position focuses on developing technology for converting biomass to ethanol through gasification and Fischer-Tropsch catalysis. He is a seasoned chemical process engineer with much experience in business planning, facilities design and technology management. Darren's experience has brought requests to present at conferences, such as the World Congress of Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing. He is also a member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan and has publications in the area of ethanol production process control strategies. Expertise
Contact: anweiler@src.sk.ca
Ph: 306-933-8178 P. Julius Pretorius
Senior Research Scientist PhD, Chemistry M.Sc., Chemistry B.Sc., Chemistry and Applied Mathematics Profile Julius is a physical chemist who has spent 18 years working in environmental and industrial chemistry. His work focuses on developing catalysts for converting biomass-derived feedstock into liquid fuels and chemicals. Julius’ expertise lies in Fischer-Tropsch and mixed alcohol synthesis processes. He gained extensive experience in syngas untilization during a five year period as a principal scientist in Sasol’s Heterogeneous Catalysis Development Department where he was involved in developing heterogeneous catalysts for producing fuels and chemicals from synthesis gas. Prior to joining SRC, he worked as a senior aquatic chemist at Rescan Environmental Services, Vancouver, where he was the resident mine water quality specialist. He has published more than 40 research reports, conference proceedings and peer-reviewed articles. He is a member of the American Chemical Society, the Chemical Institute of Canada and is registered as a professional chemist with the Association of the Chemical Profession of Alberta. Expertise
Contact: pretorius@src.sk.ca
Ph: 306-933-5495 Sundaramurthy Vedachalam
Research Scientist PhD, Chemistry M.Sc., Chemistry B.Sc., Chemistry Profile Sundaramurthy is a research scientist with more than 15 years of experience in chemistry and catalysis, where he has worked as both a researcher and associate professor. His current position focuses on catalyst development for syngas to ethanol conversion and bio oil upgrading. Sundaramurthy has worked on heterogeneous catalysts, zeolites, mesoporous materials, carbon nanotubes, operando spectroscopy of catalyst, carbohydrates to value-added chemicals and bitumen oil upgrading. His knowledge has allowed him to take roles in leadership as well as teaching and supervising master’s and doctoral students. Sundaramurthy has published 28 articles in peer-reviewed journals. He has 34 refereed conferences and symposium presentations. He is a member of the Chemical Institute of Canada, the American Chemical Society and is registered as a professional chemist with the Association of the Chemical Profession of Alberta. Expertise
Zhiguo Wang Research Engineer PhD, Chemical Engineering M.Sc., Chemical Engineering B.Sc., Chemical Engineering Profile
Zhiguo is a chemical engineer with experience in several industrial projects, including experimental investigation, facility design, industrial tests and mathematical modeling for both chemical and physical processes.
He specializes in biomass thermal conversion technology, fluidization technique, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) using FLUENT™ and process simulation using Aspen Plus™ and Chemcad™. He currently works on reactor system design, physical and thermal conversion technology assessment and process simulations for biomass gasification, biomass pyrolysis, synthetic natural gas production and synthetic ethanol production. Zhiguo also developed leadership skills in the seven years he spent working as both an engineer and instructor at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China.
Zhiguo has published numerous reports on gasification, fluidization, drying and CFD simulation, and has co-filed two patents. He is also a member of the Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering, the Canadian Society for Chemical Technology and the American Institute for Chemical Engineers.
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Erin Powell Research Engineer PhD Chemical Engineering (Candidate) M.Sc. Chemical Engineering Profile As the newest member of the Bioprocessing group, Erin brings energy to the team as she completes her education and begins her career. With expertise in chemical process engineering, Erin is focusing on water and energy integration projects for multiple clients. Initially she will model the process within existing ethanol facilities and identify areas to increase efficiency as it relates to energy and water conservation. She will also analyze the economic impact that new technologies, new feedstocks and other improvements will have on existing ethanol fermentation facilities. Before coming to SRC, Erin worked as a guest lecturer and graduate teaching assistant in the areas of Engineering Economics, Mathematical Modeling, and Biosystems Engineering. Erin has published numerous articles, conference proceedings and presentations in microalgae cultivation, carbon dioxide sequestration, microbial fuel cells and neutraceuticals. She has also received numerous scholarships and awards, including NSERC scholarships for both her PhD and M.Sc. work and the award for most distinguished undergraduate in her engineering discipline. Nicholas Shatilla
Senior Technologist Profile Nicholas is a Senior Technologist within the Bioprocessing Business Unit. He has over 25 years of experience working in pilot plant environments, as well as in production and processing. He has spent nine years of his career at SRC. His focus is managing the design, construction and maintenance of high-pressure chemical reactor systems to use in catalytic studies for ethanol synthesis and Fischer-Tropsch hydrocarbon work. Nicholas played a key part in the developing and setting up SRC’s Catalytic Reactor lab. He has also worked on the construction and operation of bench-scale apparatuses used in heavy oil, bitumen and coal-liquids upgrading research. In addition to lab work, he has also conducted field research on down-hole production additives. Prior to joining SRC, Nicholas worked at Weyerhaeuser and was responsible for maintaining and operating an 800 tonne/day fine paper machine. He also developed quality control procedures and safe operating procedures for equipment and products. Nicholas has a diploma in chemical technology, certificate in micro-electronics and an electrician’s certificate.
Contact us: bioprocessing@src.sk.ca |
