Oct 2008: ACCN, the Canadian Chemical News by Chemical Institute of Canada

l’actualité chimique canadienne canadian chemical news ACCN

october | octobre • 2008 • Vol. 60, No./no 9

ACCN

october | octobre • 2008 • Vol. 60, No./no 9

A publication of the CIC | Une publication de l’ICC

Ta bl e o f C o n t e n t s | Ta bl e d e s m a t i è r e s

Guest Column Chroniqueur invité . . . . . . 2 Opportunities in Climate Change Through Innovation Milena Sejnoha, MCIC

Ar ticles

Marc Bacon

letters lettres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

News Nouvelles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Regulatory News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Canada: An Energy Superpower?

The Role of the Process Safety Engineer

Future Fuel: Iogen’s cellulose ethanol helps more than just the environment

Industrial Briefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Chemfusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Joe Schwarcz, MCIC

Plasco Energy: Solving an age-old problem by turning waste into value

Clement Bowman, HFCIC, OC

Brian D. Kelly, MCIC, P. Eng.

Chris Rogers Recognition reconnaissance . . . . . . . .

Events Événements . . . . . . . . . . . .

careers carrières . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Alarmingly low awareness of REACH in North America: PwC survey failure to comply could lead to a ban on exports to the EU Michael Clifford

Guest Column Chroniqueur invité

Editor/Redactor Terri Pavelic

Opportunities in Climate Change Through Innovation

he Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 2007 Fourth Assessment Report has stated that the warming of the climate is undisputed and this is evident from increased global average air and ocean temperatures. This has been linked to wide-spread melting of snow and ice, rising sea levels, and severe weather disruptions. As those of us living in eastern Canada well know, we have had one of the wettest summers and snowiest winters on record. In their most stringent scenario, the IPCC states that emissions would need to peak no later than 2015 and fall to 50-85% below 2000 levels by 2050 in order for GHG atmospheric concentrations to be stabilized at 445-490 parts per million and global average temperature increase restricted to 2.0-2.4oC. To achieve these reductions a three-pronged approach is needed. Governments must define clear policy goals, consumers should have access to information and have choices, and industry must adapt to remain viable. This represents either a daunting challenge or exciting opportunity for the Canadian industrial sector which is responsible for 50% of Canada’s total GHG emissions, but is also its economic engine and includes important chemical and chemical engineering related industries. Although a portion of these emissions originate as process emissions, a large fraction is related to energy use. It is here that opportunities are presented in the development and adoption of new and emerging technologies and processes that increase energy efficiency, mitigate GHG and other emissions, decrease the related cost of reduction, and offer new business opportunities. The new opportunities include the demonstration and application of carbon capture and storage technology; development and demonstration of next generation biofuels for fuel switching; cleaner sources of electricity through the application of ocean, tidal, wind

L’Actualité chimique canadienne Octobre 2008

Milena Sejnoha, MCIC and next generation nuclear energy; development of new materials and catalysts for higher conversion of solar energy, more efficient separation processes, and multi-pollutant capture technologies; stationary fuel cell applications; new approaches to process integration and intensification; and integrated bio-refineries and industrial complexes. The challenge for industry is to manage the risk associated with the development and application of new technologies. The high cost of research, the long time-lines for development, cost and risk of the first industrial demonstration, synchronization of new technology introduction with capital stock turnover, and uncertain market-uptake are all complex challenges. Canadian industry does lead in the development of some of the new exciting technologies (for example; carbon capture and storage, next generation biofuels, fuel cells, nuclear, multi-pollutant technologies), but much more could be done. Data show that traditionally Canadian heavy industry invests less than 2% of its revenue in research and development. Given the current high cost of energy which is not expected to drop, and this year’s commitment of the major economies of the world represented by the G8 countries to seriously address climate change, these events have provided favourable conditions under which research, development and demonstration projects in clean energy and energy efficiency technologies can have a new economic viability that was not available under past conditions. This represents an excellent opportunity for Canadian industry to take advantage of the benefits offered by a lower carbon economy, and the time is now, to dramatically increase investment in Canadian innovation.

Milena Sejnoha, MCIC, is the president of the Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering.

Graphic Designer/Infographiste Krista Leroux Editorial Board/Conseil de rédaction Joe Schwarcz, MCIC, chair/président Cathleen Crudden, MCIC John Margeson, MCIC Milena Sejnoha, MCIC Bernard West, MCIC Editorial Office/Bureau de la rédaction 130, rue Slater Street, Suite/bureau 550 Ottawa, ON K1P 6E2 613-232-6252 • Fax/Téléc. 613-232-5862 editorial@accn.ca • www.accn.ca Advertising/Publicité advertising@accn.ca Subscription Rates/Tarifs d’abonnement Non CIC members/Non-membres de l’ICC : in/au Canada CAN$55; outside/à l’extérieur du Canada US$50. Single copy/Un exemplaire CAN$8 or US$7. L’Actualité chimique canadienne/Canadian Chemical News (ACCN) is published 10 times a year by the Chemical Institute of Canada / est publié 10 fois par année par l’Institut de chimie du Canada. www.cheminst.ca. Recommended by the Chemical Institute of Canada, the Canadian Society for Chemistry, the Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering, and the Canadian Society for Chemical Technology. Views expressed do not necessarily represent the official position of the Institute or of the societies that recommend the magazine. Recommandé par l’Institut de chimie du Canada, la Société canadienne de chimie, la Société canadienne de génie chimique et la Société canadienne de technologie chimique. Les opinions exprimées ne reflètent pas nécessairement la position officielle de l’Institut ou des sociétés qui soutiennent le magazine. Change of Address/Changement d’adresse circulation@cheminst.ca Printed in Canada by Gilmore Printing Services Inc. and postage paid in Ottawa, ON./ Imprimé au Canada par Gilmore Printing Services Inc. et port payé à Ottawa, ON. Publications Mail Agreement Number/ No de convention de la Poste-publications : 40021620. (USPS# 0007-718) Indexed in the Canadian Business Index and available on-line in the Canadian Business and Current Affairs database. / Répertorié dans la Canadian Business Index et accessible en ligne dans la banque de données Canadian Business and Current Affairs. ISSN 0823-5228

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letters lettres

Importance of Association Dear Editor, I am writing in response to the letters in the July/August 2008 issue of ACCN regarding professional associations for chemists. The Association of the Chemical Profession of Alberta is registered under the Professions and Occupations Registration Act of Alberta. Full members must meet standards of education, experience and continuing professional development and are also subject to a code of ethics and legally enforceable disciplinary procedures. As such, Professional Chemists in Alberta are equivalent to Professional Engineers except for the fact that we do not have an exclusive right to practice. The designation Professional Chemist (P.Chem.) can only be used by our members whereas anyone can practice chemistry in Alberta. In Ontario the Association of the Chemical Profession of Ontario is established

under legislation similar to that in Alberta and in Quebec the Ordre des Chimistes du Quebec holds exclusive right to practice. In other provinces such as British Columbia, associations are registered under the Society Act, and are working toward full recognition of their members as registered professionals. The National Advisory Committee for the Profession of Chemistry in Canada has been established under the auspices of the CSC to provide a forum for the provincial associations, address issues on a national basis and to ensure consistent standards across Canada. As legislation is introduced, particularly in the environmental area, provincially registered professional associations are the only bodies that can effectively lobby for chemists’ right to practice their profession and take responsibility for their work. Having suitably qualified professionals carrying out work that involves chemistry ensures that the public good is protected. The professionalism of Alberta chemists was recognized in 2008 when chemists were included as

one of six professional groups that were given the legal right to sign off Alberta Environment reclamation certificates. Chemists would have been excluded from this area of practice in Alberta, had they not had the status of a regulated professional association. At a first glance this may appear to only involve chemists working in the environmental area, however, the whole chemical profession gains by having strong professional associations not only regulating the profession but supporting it by providing training and career development programs. I urge all qualified chemists to consider joining their provincial association. Roger Cowles FCIC, P.Chem. President, Association of the Chemical Profession of Alberta

What Do You Think? editorial@accn.ca

News Nouvelles

STIC council offers S&T strategy recommendations The Science, Technology and Innovation Council (STIC) has made recommendations to the Government of Canada regarding the government’s 2007 Science and Technology (S&T) Strategy. The recommendations have been made are amendments to the sub-priorities within the four main research priority areas laid out in the original strategy. The four main areas were selected based on Canada’s ability to leverage its strengths and gain a competitive edge. The four main areas are environmental science and technologies, natural resources and energy, health and related life sciences and information and communications technologies. The recommendations were accepted by the Honorable Jim Prentice, Minister of Industry. Prentice stated that, “establishing priorities and sub-priorities also allows us to better focus our efforts in areas of social and economic importance to Canada.”

The sub-priorities recommended by the STIC for environment research include: water health, water energy and water security; cleaner methods of extracting, processing and using hydrocarbon fuels and reducing consumption of the fuels. For the area of natural resources and energy: energy production in the oil sands; Arctic resource production and Arctic climate change adaptation and monitoring; biofuels, fuel cells and nuclear energy. Under the health and life sciences the STIC recommended the sub-priorities be: regenerative medicine; neuroscience; health in an aging population; biomedical engineering and medical technologies. The sub-priorities for information and communications technologies should be: new media, animation and games; wireless networks and services; broadband networks and telecom equipment. The STIC has also emphasized that the identification of these sub-priorities should be used to guide research agencies in designing research support programs, but support must be balanced and include broad support for basic, discovery-oriented research. The Science, Technology and Innovation Council

october 2008 Canadian Chemical News

News Nouvelles continued growth of the agricultural sector, and a vibrant future for organic farming in Canada,” said Laura Telford, executive director of COG. The program looks to encourage conventional and new farmers to employ organic practices by targeting local markets such as child care facilities, hospitals and schools. The project will also help implement regional organic value chains, producer cooperatives and infrastructure for local distribution and storage. For farmers, this will help by providing a high value, secure market. For consumers, it will increase access to regionally grown organic food. “Increasingly, families at home and around the globe are choosing to buy organic food,” said minister Ritz. “The government is committed to supporting our farmers as they seize these new market opportunities.” Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Urodynamix NIRS technology receives financial backing

Canadian government invests in organic farming The Government of Canada is funding a new organic farming initiative called Growing Up Organic, run by the Canadian Organic Growers Inc. (COG). The federal agriculture minister Gerry Ritz announced that the government had made a $258,100 investment in the project. Funding for the project will be coming from Agriculture and AgriFood Canada’s national Advancing Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food program (ACAAF). This new initiative will benefit farmers, consumers and the environment. “Through this initiative, government, farmers and industry are ensuring the

L’Actualité chimique canadienne Octobre 2008

Urodynamix Technologies Ltd., a Canadian medical device company that specializes in non-invasive medical technology, has received a non-refundable financial contribution from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP). The donation has been made to Urodynamix to accelerate their development and commercialization of new technology, based on near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), for detection of prostate cancer during the digital rectal examination (DRE). The new technology has been designed by Urodynamix to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer in a physician office setting. The problem with regular DREs is its subjectivity and reliance on the skill of the physician to interpret what they feel and the nature and progression of the disease. NIRS technology will help physicians make better diagnostic decisions by providing them with clinically meaningful data and allowing them to detect and study abnormal prostate tissue.

“This financial support from the Government of Canada through the NRC-IRAP program will allow us to develop our next generation products more quickly and address a large market opportunity for improved prostate cancer diagnosis and monitoring using our NIRS technology platform,” said Barry Allen, president and CEO of Urodynamix. Urodynamix Technologies Ltd.

U of S launches BioVenture Challenge 2008 The University of Saskatchewan (U of S) Industry Liaison Office and Saskatchewan Agriculture are partnering are sponsoring the 2008 BioVenture Business plan Challenge to assist youth with launching their bio-based business ideas. “The BioVenture Challenge offers new entrepreneurs high-quality business planning advice along with the chance to overcome one of their highest hurdles-finding enough startup capital to transform their ideas into viable businesses,” said Industry Liaison Office managing director Doug Gill. The grand prize for the winning business plan is $50,000 in startup money. Initially, five finalists will be selected from all the applications submitted to the challenge. These five finalists will receive in-depth training and guidance in preparing their business plans. The finalists will also have access to private sector guests who specialize in business planning and the bio-economy. These guests will be sharing their expertise through lectures. Last year’s winner was a sister and brother team Rachel and Chris Buhler. Their plan was to create a floating garden, an aquaponic system that combines fish farming and hydroponics greenhouse techniques. Their final goal was to produce live fish for sale to the local Asian community. The competition is open to U of S students and graduates less than 35 years old. Details for this year’s competition are available through the U of S website or the Industry Liaison Office. University of Saskatchewan

News Nouvelles

New international partnership will increase oil yield of canola An agreement has been signed between the National Research Council of Canada and the Oil Crops Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences. These two groups will collaborate on genetic research to improve the production of canola over the next five years. The Oil Crops Institute will be contributing $300,000 cash and the NRC Plant Biotechnology Institute (NRC-PBI) will contribute $210,000 in facilities and analytical resources. The funds will be used to complete the first project under this new agreement. This project will complete genomics work on canola to identify genes that affect yield and adaptation to various environmental stresses. The vice-president of the NRC’s life sciences division, Dr. Roman Szumski, visited the Oil Crops Research Institute in order to strengthen ties between the two organizations and to exchange information. “This is an

historic event where, for the first time, China is investing directly in agricultural research in Canada to advance a crop important to both countries,” said Dr. Szumski. “This collaboration will help Canada and China develop higher yielding canola, increasing both our countries’ reputations for scientific excellence in agricultural research and creating a competitive advantage for Canadian and Chinese agricultural producers.” Director of the Oil Crops Research Institute Dr. Han-zhong Wang said, “this agreement makes eminent sense, given that Canada is where canola was developed. Food and energy shortages are an escalating problem and increasing canola productivity is something that can help these global issues.” The Oil Crops Research Institute is a leader for China in canola research and development of elite rapeseed germplasm. The Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) is China’s national agricultural research organization. The NRC-PBI collaborates with universities, government agencies and industry, to translate research in to commercial products for the environmental and health benefits of Canadians.

Tembec shuts down mills to reduce inventory Tembec, a forest products company, has begun limited production curtailments at two of its pulp mills in order to balance off inventory levels. The two mills, one located in Temiscaming, QC and the other in France, were idle for one and two weeks respectively in September. Between the two mills Tembec will reduce its output by 16,500 tonnes. Yvon Pelletier, executive vice president and president of the pulp group at Tembec stated that, “the shutdowns…will allow Tembec to prudently manage both inventory levels and working capital.” Pelletier also said, “the late summer period typically represents a period of lower demand for pulp. We are seeing this occurring in Europe and areas of Asia, driven in part by annual vacation shutdown in pulp consuming businesses.” Tembec

National Research Council Canada

october 2008 Canadian Chemical News

News Nouvelles

Ontario funds innovative biofuel projects

Orcrist Bio co-authors new research paper on stem cells Orcrist Bio Inc., a company which researches and develops stem cell-mobilizing pharmaceuticals, has recently co-authored a peer-review publication along with Medistem Inc. and six academic institutions, which examines preclinical data of Medistems’s new type of stem cell. The new stem cell by Medistem is called Endometrial Regenerative Cells (ERC). “Our collaboration with Orcrist allows us to synergistically address complex biological problems to both companies’ mutual benefit,” said Thomas Ichim, CEO of Medistem. “Orcrist is working on mobilizing the body’s stem cells by pharmaceutical means, while

L’Actualité chimique canadienne Octobre 2008

Medistem is generating replacement stem cells as seen by the development and identification of ERCs.” The study and report was aimed at preventing the loss of leg function in animals with critical limb ischemia or its equivalent. Critical leg ischemia is an advanced form of peripheral artery disease. As many as 100,000 amputations per year result from this disease. The report published describes how the teams involved were able to prevent the loss of limb function using stem cells. Gary Voncina, president and CEO of Orcrist said, “Orcrist is pleased to have been part of this important study led by Medistrem and the team of internationally renowned vascular and cardiac surgeons, and hematologists that were assembled.”

The government of Ontario has provided $7.5 million in funding to two innovative biofuel projects in London, ON. The money has been given to help the projects move into the global marketplace. Five million dollars will go to support the Institute for Chemicals and Fuels from Alternative Resources. The new institute is located at the University of Western Ontario’s experimental field station. Projects at the institute will work on turning agricultural byproducts into fuel and other chemicals that include organic insecticides, pesticides and fertilizers. The institute is a partnership with Agri-Therm Limited. The rest of the money will go to a project at Stanton Farms. This project will generate green energy from manure and waster water. This will cut greenhouse gasses, emissions and odours. Also, in a collaborative effort with the University of Western Ontario, the University of Guelph and the University of Waterloo, Stanton farms will build a biogas demonstration facility. “For Ontario, it is not “food or fuel” – we believe innovation is the key to “food and fuel”. We have internationally renowned researchers, savvy entrepreneurs, and now – with the launch of Western’s Bioproducts Initiative –another world-class research institute working quickly to commercialize the ideas that will fuel our future and our economy,” said John Wilkinson, Minister of Research and Innovation. Both projects are part of the University of Western Ontario’s Bioproducts Initiative. It is hopeful that they will help Ontario tackle climate change and supply the global demand for more sustainable biofuels. “More sustainable biofuels is good news for Ontario farmers and good news for our families. It means a cleaner, healthier environment and sustainable, innovationbased jobs for rural Ontario,” said Maria Van Brommel, MRR for Lambton-KentMiddlesex.

Orcrist Bio Inc.

Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation

News Nouvelles

Emission smarts to be part of BC driver education New drivers will now be getting lessons in fuel-efficiency in hopes to reduce their fuel consumption by up to 20%. A partnership between the Government of Canada, the BC Climate Action Secretariat and the BC Safety Council will incorporate tips on conserving fuel into the council’s driver safety courses. “I’m pleased that the council’s trainers will now be teaching new drivers about fuel efficiency,” said the Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of Natural Resources. “Fuel-efficient driving is one of the ways Canadians can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and keep more money in their pockets while living with today’s high gas prices.” The BC Safety Council will be encouraging these fuel-efficient driving habits because approximately half of greenhouse gas emissions generated by individual Canadians come from driving. “We have long realized that safe driving practices and driving techniques for fuel conservation are almost synonymous,” said Bryan Lowes, executive director of the BC Safety Council. “We look forward to working with the Government of Canada, through NRCAN, and the Climate Action Secretariat to help our students and their families become fore fuel-efficient.” Natural Resources Canada

ACCN

Recherchés

articles en français! editorial@accn.ca

Carleton University Superlab Opens Carleton University’s Faculty of Chemistry officially opened its new superlab, an undergraduate teaching laboratory funded by the Government of Ontario, Sept. 3, 2008. Pictured here in the Superlab from left to right are: George Iwama, Dean of the Faculty of Science; Roseann O’Reilly Runte, Carleton University’s President and Vice-chancellor; Robert Burk, Chair, Chemistry department and Yasir Naqvi, MPP for Ottawa Centre.

Photo by Krista Leroux

More knowledge needed in nanomaterial field A panel of experts has given their recommendations on the state of nanomaterials. A report was requested from Health Canada and other federal agencies, to answer the question, “what is the state of knowledge with respect to existing nanomaterial properties and their health and environmental risks, which could underpin regulatory perspectives on needs for research, risk assessment and surveillance?” The panel of 15 experts who are all engaged in the creation and application of nanomaterials, assessment of risks the may present, and public policy issues related to health and environmental regulation has reported that too little is known to assess the current risks. Nanomaterials are defined as having one or more dimensions on the nanoscale – between 1 and 100 nanometres. Many

products currently available to consumers are based on nanotechnology, such as, sunscreen and anti-stain coatings on fabrics. The risk is that with the large number and diversity of nanomaterials is combined with their unpredictable biological and environmental properties, it becomes difficult to assess the risks involved. “The panel sought to assemble the existing science, and understand what it implies about the hazards presented by nanomaterials, what risks they present to human health and our environment, and how we can best manage these risks given the current uncertainties and key gaps in knowledge,” said University of Toronto professor Pekka Sinervo, chair of the expert panel. The panel did not identify any evidence that current nanomaterials and products on the market in Canada present any risks. Council of Canadian Academies

october 2008 Canadian Chemical News

regulatory news Challenges for a

Changing World

8th World Congress of Chemical Engineering(WCCE8) is being held in Montréal, QC, The

August 23–27, 2009. The congress theme is “Challenges

for a Changing World,” and our Canadian team has put together an exciting program with help from our international colleagues. The Call for Papers opened on June 16, 2008 and will close November 30, 2008. Papers can be sent through Hermes Conference Centre via the WCCE8 Web site. Details are available at www.wcce8.org/call_for_ papers_instructions.html. The Congress program will include plenary sessions, oral and poster presentations, student programs and a full social program. A partial list of plenary speakers includes experts such as Shell Global Solutions president Greg Lewin; Yale University professor Mark Saltzman; and professor Gerhard Kreysa, president of DECHEMA. Major themes for WCCE8 are in place and the following topics will be explored: energy; green processing; new materials and processes; biotechnology; contemporary topics in chemical engineering; and chemical engineering and society. WCCE8 will also be featuring a program designed for industrial engineers. Examples of industrially-oriented topics that will be of special interest to engineers working in industry include: financing industrial research and development; process intensification for sustainable manufacturing; XTL (X to Liquid); and process safety and loss management. You can view the full technical and industrial programs at www.wcce8.org or sign up to receive more information on the congress at www.wcce8.org/onlineform.html. Montréal is a scenic and vibrant multi-cultural city with a European flavor, and is renowned for its cultural and artistic life with remarkable restaurants and an excellent hotel network. Montréal is easy to reach by air with direct flights from the U.S.A., Latin America, and Europe, and from Asia through the Vancouver and Toronto hubs. We look forward to receiving your paper and seeing you in Montréal in 2009.

Ca l l f o r P a p e r s Closes November

30, 2008

L’Actualité chimique canadienne Octobre 2008

Proposed Amendments to the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992 Amendments to the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992, have been introduced in the House of Commons. The proposed amendments would enhance security and safety in the transport of dangerous goods by introducing a number of changes, including: • Reinforcing the existing Emergency Response Assistance Program, which requires emergency response assistance plans to be in place in the event of safety incidents involving dangerous goods. It would also make it possible for Transport Canada to request the implementation of such plans in the case of a terrorist or other security incident; • Requiring security training and screening of personnel working with dangerous goods; • Allowing for the drafting of regulations requiring that dangerous goods be tracked during transport and that incidents involving loss or theft be reported. The amendments would enable the use of security measures and interim orders, in accordance with the Public Safety Act and other legislation; • Facilitate the development of a program to require a transportation security clearance for dangerous goods, including an appeals process that would operate like the existing Aeronautics Act clearance program; and • Amending the concept of “importer” to clarify who in Canada is subject to the requirements of the Act and it’s regulations with respect to the importing of dangerous goods. The updated Act would remain focused on the prevention of incidents when dangerous goods are offered, handled, transported or imported. Following the coming into force of the amended legislation, Transport Canada would continue to consult the public, industry, first responders, and provincial and territorial governments as the department drafts the security regulations necessary to support its new authorities. For additional information about the review of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992, visit www.tc.gc. ca/tdg/consult/actreview/menu.htm. Source: Canadian Chemical Producers’ Association

IndustrialBriefs BioSyntech announces the appointment of four new board members. Mr. Michel Lagueux holds a bachelor of business administration, and was senior vice-president, life sciences, at the Solidarity Fund QFL. Dr. Karen Hong received her PhD in biology from MIT and currently serves on the board for Agile Therapeutics. Mr. Eric Linsley, served as CFO of TriPath Imaging, Inc. Mr. Winston Black was a senior portfolio analyst at Highland Capital Management, L.P.

Ontario to Introduce Toxics Reduction Legislation The Ontario provincial government plans to introduce new legislation which, if passed, would reduce pollution, better inform Ontarians and protect them from toxic chemicals in the air, water, land and consumer products. The Ministry of the Environment has developed a discussion paper on the proposed strategy, which has been posted on the Environmental Registry for a 45 day period. It can be viewed at www.ebr.gov.on.ca under Registry #010-4374. The public has until October 11, 2008 to comment. As described in the discussion paper entitled “Creating Ontario’s Toxics Reductions Strategy,” the proposed strategy could encompass: • New requirements to report on the use of toxics and to prepare toxics reduction plans, and new authority to regulate toxic substances in products. • Building capacity to support the design and implementation of the toxics reduction plans, and for actions that result in reductions or elimination of a toxic or which help to foster a greener economy. • Ways to inform Ontarians on toxics use and measures they can take to make informed choices. The government will be holding a series of consultation sessions with stakeholders from the industrial, municipal, retail, health, federal government and environmental sectors on proposed approaches for the strategy.

Enerkem Inc. a second generation biofuels company announces the appointment of Mr. Denis Arguin, vice president of engineering and implementation, and Mrs. Marie-Hélène Labrie, vice president of government affairs and communications. Mr. Louis R. Lamontagne has been appointed to the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). Lamontagne served as president and CEO of Painceptor Pharma Corporation since its inception in 2003. Chemokine Therapeutics Corporation announces the addition of two new members to their board of directors. Edward Taylor and Walter Korz will fill the vacancies left by the resignations of Dr. Hassan Salari and Reza Behadori. Taylor is chairman of the board of Ceapro Inc. and director of two private biotechnology companies. Horz was appointed president and CEO of Chemokine in April 2008. MedMira Inc. a developer of rapid diagnostics announces the resignation of Dr. Michael Thompson from their board of directors. Resverlogix Corporation announces the immediate appointment of Jan Gray to their board of directors. Gray is a practicing chartered accountant and also executive vice-president and treasurer of Cartwrite Canada Inc. a legal publishing company. Biovail Corp. has appoints Dr. Neil M. Sussman to the position of vice-president, neurologic and psychiatric development. Monsanto Canada appoints Cory McArthur to the position of marketing director for canola and crop protection and Jenifer Bailes as chemistry business manager. The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers appoints David Collyer as president of the association, effective Sept. 15, 2008. Collyer is currently president and country chair of Shell Canada. “This is an important time for the crucial sector and I look forward to working with the industry, government and public on the challenges we face,” says Collyer.

Saviez-vous Toutes les éditions d’ACCN parues avant 2008 peuvent être lues gratuitement sur le Web à www.accn.ca?

october 2008 Canadian Chemical News

Chemfusion Joe Schwarcz, MCIC

Watermelon Mythology

atermelon sales are on the rise? Why? Because hopeful men have been seduced by media reports proclaiming that watermelon may excite more than their taste buds. I suppose this should come as no great surprise given that it was Texas A&M, a major American university, that put out a press release announcing that “Watermelon May Have Viagra-Effect.” News organizations around the world picked up the story, tantalizing their readers with ingenious headlines such as “Watermelon, The New Oyster?” and “Watermelon Could Add Bite to Sex Life.” Some even came up with irresponsible, but attention-grabbing banners like “Watermelon Can Duplicate Viagra Effects.” Is there any evidence to support these farfetched claims? No. Did researchers at Texas A&M, or indeed anywhere else, carry out studies to demonstrate that watermelon has any such effect? No. So how did the fanciful headlines come about? Texas A&M carries out extensive research on plant breeding, including that of watermelon. One aim of this research is to investigate the possibility of increasing the naturally occurring amount of an amino acid called citrullin in watermelon. This compound is of scientific interest because once ingested it can be converted into arginine, an amino acid that plays a role in immune system activity, as well as in the dilation of blood vessels. A press officer at the University, given the task of publicizing this rather mundane

10 L’Actualité chimique canadienne Octobre 2008

research, asked breeder Dr. Bhimu Patil to suggest some interesting items about watermelon to be included in the press release. Patil then speculated about the fruit increasing levels of arginine in the blood, and mentioned that arginine is the source of nitric oxide, which in turn dilates blood vessels and can increase blood flow. He also pointed out that Viagra works by increasing levels of nitric oxide. Presto, the press officer put two and two together and came up with five, and the press release about watermelon increasing libido was born. Pure mythology. While there is zero evidence about watermelon having any effect on male performance, the notion of citrulline increasing arginine levels is correct. That was clearly shown in a study published in Nutrition, a respected peerreviewed journal. Twenty-three volunteers were asked to drink either three or six eightounce glasses of watermelon juice a day for three weeks and then had their blood tested for arginine. This amount of juice of course corresponds to more watermelon than anyone could reasonably eat. Compared with subjects who drank no watermelon juice, levels of arginine increased by 12-22%. No physiological consequences of this increase were measured in any way. The point of the research was simply to determine the possibility of increasing arginine levels by diet because of the role of this amino acid in improving blood flow. Arginine first came to the public’s attention back in 1992 when its metabolic breakdown product, nitric oxide, was named Molecule of the Year by the prestigious journal, “Science.” Inspired by Time magazine’s Man of the Year, the editors of Science decided in 1989 that bestow an annual award on a molecule that according to them made the greatest impact that year. Not quite as esteemed as an Oscar, but impressive nevertheless. Why was nitric oxide accorded this honor? Because researchers had shown that it had the ability of relaxing the muscles in blood vessels and increasing blood flow. This is exactly what is desired when coronary arteries become narrowed by arteriosclerosis. The dilation of blood vessels also leads to lower blood pressure, another plus. In fact, this effect had been noted indirectly during World War I, when munitions workers whose job was to fill artillery shells with nitroglycerin were found to have very low blood pressure. That’s because nitroglycerin can break down to form nitric oxide. Today of course nitroglycerine is

commonly used in the treatment of angina. But nobody knew until 1987 that nitric oxide was made in the body from arginine. Interest escalated with the subsequent discovery that this molecule also played a role in producing erections. Its ability to enhance blood flow at the right time was of course responsible for this effect. As soon as this observation was made, pharmaceutical companies began to explore methods for increasing nitric oxide levels in the blood. The erection sweepstakes were won by Pfizer with the development of a drug that attacked the problem indirectly. Viagra blocks an enzyme that normally breaks down cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), the substance that is produced in response to nitric oxide stimulation and is actually responsible for blood vessel dilation. An obvious question that arises, is why not just take arginine directly as a dietary supplement? Indeed, there is some evidence that arginine taken orally can allow blood vessels to dilate more readily, but at the dosage required, arginine pills have been linked with nausea and gastrointestinal discomfort. Supplying the body with citrulline, which is then converted into arginine, may get around this problem. That’s why Texas A&M researchers are interested in breeding watermelon with higher levels of citrulline. But keep in mind that no studies have shown that boosting arginine, either through supplements, or through high-citrulline foods has any significant effect on erectile biology. The only activity that will be stimulated by increasing watermelon intake is urination. A ripe, sweet watermelon can certainly give a boost to the taste buds, but don’t expect anything else to be boosted. And as a final note, most of the citrullin in watermelon is found in the rind, not exactly the focus of consumption. That little tidbit escaped the attention of writers who generated silly headlines like “No Wonder Watermelons Grow So Big.” But it probably didn’t escape the attention of supplement manufacturers with visions of rising profits from the sale of watermelon rind tablets.

ACCN

Joe Schwarcz, MCIC, is the director of McGill University’s Office for Science and Society. He hosts the Dr. Joe Show on Montréal’s radio station CJAD and Toronto’s CFRB. The broadcast is available at www.CJAD.com.

october 2008 Canadian Chemical Newsâ&#x20AC;&#x201A; 11

Plasco Energy

Solving an age-old problem by turning waste into value

rehistoric man had only two solutions to the problem of waste: burn it or bury it. Although we have learned to fly, go to the moon, and cure smallpox, until recently we had no better solutions to the problem of waste than those discovered by cave men. Waste is a serious problem throughout the world. Although 40% of the world’s population earns less than $2.00 per day, 60% won’t cut back on their consumption, and generates waste at a rate that makes sustainable development an illusion. We must do more with less impact. Affluent urban societies create ¾ of a tonne of solid waste per person per year, and either bury it in landfill or burn it in incinerators. It is important that we learn to maximize recycling, maximize value recovery, and minimize waste disposal.

12 L’Actualité chimique canadienne octobre 2008

Marc Bacon

Conversion of residual waste to useful products without air emissions and without contamination of water or land is a concept that implements a policy of waste as a resource, and is so recognized by legislation in California. In January of 2008, the European Union issued a directive that defines technologies with recovery efficiencies higher than 65% as recovery, and those lower than 65% as disposal. According to the E.U. formula, the Plasco Conversion System achieves 78% recovery efficiency, providing a cost-effective and robust alternative to “burn or bury” solutions. Plasco Energy Group is a private Canadian waste conversion and energy generation company based in Ottawa, Canada. PlascoEnergy builds, owns and operates Plasco Conversion System facilities to convert municipal household, commercial or industrial waste into Above: By recycling waste into valuable products, the Plasco Conversion System costs communities less to manage garbage.

green power and other valuable products. It is majority owned by highly respected North American and European private equity and hedge funds. PlascoEnergy assumes risk so that its customers do not have to. It charges competitive tipping fees for the waste it receives and generates revenue from the sale of premium green electricity. By recycling waste into valuable products, the Plasco Conversion System costs communities less to manage garbage. The Plasco Conversion System is the result of 30 years of experience with plasma technologies. PlascoEnergy has invested decades of R&D and nearly $100 million to develop a system with breakthrough economic and environmental performance. Since 1986, it has operated research facilities in Ottawa and Spain, and its

100 tonnes‑per-day commercial scale demonstration began operation in Ottawa in the fall of 2007. Plasco Energy Group provides the very best environmental and economic option for dealing with residual waste and generating clean and green electricity. The primary requirements to build a facility are a guaranteed waste stream, guaranteed sale of electricity and a location. PlascoEnergy facilities are built in identical 100 tonne per day modules, ensuring a high level of quality, repeatable performance, and rapid construction and commissioning. PlascoEnergy’s system allows waste to be dealt with where it is created, and electricity to be generated where it is needed. Its plants can be distributed across rural, light industrial, or commercial zones inside or near cities. This reduces the need for long-distance trucking with its associated cost and emissions, as well as the cost and losses associated with long-distance transmission of electricity. PlascoEnergy’s plants don’t emit odours because only a small amount of waste is stored for short periods, and it is always inside a building with negative air pressure. Noise levels from the process are lower than 70dBA. The only source of its ultra-low atmospheric emissions come from the engine exhaust. They produce no other emissions or effluent, only clean water. The facility size can be as small as 200 tonnes per day, and its outer design will match the aesthetic preferences of the local community. The entire Plasco Conversion System is tightly controlled by a sophisticated real-time computer system. This is critical to the efficient conversion of mixed waste streams like municipal solid waste. In the Plasco Conversion System, waste is fed into the primary chamber of the converter, where the material is gasified by heat recovered from the gases exiting the refining chamber. Within the refining chamber, there are two plasma torches. The gasified product from the primary chamber contains carbon monoxide, hydrogen, tars and un-reacted carbon. This gas is refined into a cleaner and lighter gas in the secondary chamber. Process air and plasma heat are combined with the gas and the plasma heat is adjusted to maintain the desired process chamber conditions in order to destroy long-chain hydrocarbons. Since process heat is recycled to the converter, plasma is never applied directly to the garbage. Instead it is used as a highly efficient way to refine the resulting gas. With the Plasco Conversion System, the gas is cleaned prior to generating electricity. After passing through the heat recovery unit, the gas flows to the Gas Quality Control Suite (GQCS) where the gas is cooled and cleaned of particulates, metals and acid components. Agricultural sulfur and commercial salt are recovered from the GQCS processes. The solid residue from the primary chamber is sent to a separate high-temperature chamber equipped with a plasma torch where it is melted. Plasma heat is used to stabilize the solids by driving off any remaining volatile compounds. Any volatile gas is passed through several cleaning steps before being combined with the main gas stream. The melted material is poured into a water bath where rapid cooling creates small solid pellets. This vitrified residue is an inert, non-hazardous, glass-like solid. Leachability tests have been conducted on the solid material emerging from the process and have confirmed that it does not leach and is not toxic. The aggregate is safer than a common soda bottle and is valuable as construction aggregate for roads, concrete, or other building materials.

october 2008 Canadian Chemical News 13

Parameter Units Ontario Particulate mg/m3 12 Matter Organic mg/m3 49 Matter HCl mg/m3 19 HF mg/m3 - SO2 mg/m3 37 NOx mg/m3 207 expressed as NO2 CO mg/m3 - Hg mg/m3 0.020 Cd mg/m3 0.014 Pb mg/m3 0.142 Class III mg/m3 - metals Dioxins and mg/m3 0.040 furans

British Alberta California E.U. Columbia 19 50 16 9 39

69 3 246 344

75 - 450 400

27 - 56 202

54 0.19 0.10 0.049 - 0.5

57 0.02 - - - 0.080

41 0.06 0.01 0.14 - 9

9 9 0.0 46 183

Plasco Energy 3 9 2 0.02 10 9

46 0.046 0.046 - 0

34 0.0005 0.001 0.012 0.046

0.9

0.00

Notes: 1. All values are expressed at 11% O2 and regular conditions (101.3kPa, 25oC). 2. EU regulations combine Thallium with Cadmium and Lead with Class III metals. 3. Alberta standards taken from the Code of Practice for Energy Recovery. 4. Dioxins and furans regulatory limits are shown, but are not directly comparable across jurisdictions

At the end of the conversion process, more than 99% of the residual waste sent to a Plasco Energy Group Inc. facility is recycled into valuable products. For each tonne of waste, approximately 1.3 kilograms of heavy metals and filter screenings require disposal. These heavy metals are due to improper disposal of hazardous waste, such as batteries, by the public. The moisture recovered from the waste is cleaned, and is suitable for irrigation or for use in industrial processes. Power generation in the Plasco Conversion System is very similar to generation

from methane or natural gas. The synthetic gas created through the conversion system is used to run internal combustion engines, producing 1.2 MWh for every tonne of municipal solid waste. Because the gas is cleaned prior to being sent to the engines, the exhaust from the engines is clean. Additional electricity is produced through combined cycle power generation using captured waste heat from the engines and from the waste conversion process. In some cases, co-generation can be used for industrial processes or district heating.

The Plasco Conversion System is the only technology in the world that has demonstrated the ability to convert municipal solid waste into a consistent enough gas to run a conventional reciprocating engine like the GE Jennbacher. This also means that it is the only waste conversion technology that can harness the benefits of combined cycle and co-generation. That is what makes the Plasco Conversion System the only technology that can recover more than a megawatt-hour of net power per tonne of waste processed. Emissions from Plasco Energy Group facilities are monitored using Continuous Emissions Monitoring equipment. Periodic sample testing is conducted for substances not currently traceable by existing Continuous Emissions Monitoring technology. Plasco Conversion System emissions performance is shown in Table 1. The Plasco Conversion System also provides the best current solution to the generation of greenhouse gases from waste decomposition. When waste decomposes, it produces methane, a greenhouse gas which is 72 times more potent than CO2 over 20 years and 25 times more potent than CO2 over 100 years. Even the best landfills recuperate only about 30% of the methane produced from the garbage, allowing 70% to escape to the atmosphere. The Plasco Conversion System not only converts waste to CO and H2, but also produces energy that would otherwise need to be produced in many instances by greenhouse gas producing fossil fuels. Moreover, since PlascoEnergy plants are sited near the sources of waste, they minimize the greenhouse gas generated by trucks. For each tonne of waste processed, the Plasco Conversion System produces 0.6 tonnes of greenhouse gas, but avoids 2.7 tonnes of greenhouse gas due to methane production, displaced fossil power, and transmission losses, for a net reduction in greenhouse gases of 2.1 tonnes.

Marc Bacon is the vice-president of Engineering of Plasco Energy Group. He holds two engineering degrees and an MBA from LeTourneau University, and is pursuing a PhD in Business Administration with Northcentral University. Bacon has held senior positions in engineering and management, and was president of his own consulting firm prior to

Photo: PlascoEnergy’s system allows waste to be dealt with where it is created, and electricity to be generated where it is needed. 14 L’Actualité chimique canadienne Octobre 2008

joining Plasco Energy Group.

october 2008 Canadian Chemical Newsâ&#x20AC;&#x201A; 15

Canada

An Energy Superpower?

Clement Bowman, HFCIC, OC

rime Minister Stephen Harper committed Canada to become an energy superpower at the 2006 G8 Summit in St. Petersburg, Russia. A better vision for Canada would be to become a sustainable, environmentally sound energy superpower. In any event, a vision without a plan is but a dream. Thoughtful writers from Tim Flannery (the 2007 Australian of the year) to Canada’s own Jeffrey Simpson and Mark Jaccard (Hot Air) have outlined the plan. It’s not about walking away from fossil fuels and closing down coal plants! It’s about learning to work with what nature has given us, without using the environment as the dump for waste products. Canada has an opportunity to provide global leadership in addressing the collision between energy and the environment, the dominant issue facing our planet in this century. We lack only one ingredient - the national will. In the past, our big achievements have been conceived and led by champions. The railway across Canada, the construction of our airport system in the midst of the depression, the massive James Bay generating

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facility, the unlocking of the deeply buried oil sands- in each case there was a champion who provided the leadership and who created a sense of public purpose. Where is Canada’s champion to lead our energy vision? Stephen Harper came very close in 2006 comparing the oil sands to building the pyramids or the Great Wall of China. Not many environmental advances yet, mainly studies and then more studies. We know the pathway. Over 100 energy experts, under the auspices of the Canadian Academy of Engineering, have proposed that Canada undertake the following three nation-building projects. • Gasification of coal and biomass (to produce hydrogen, electricity) • Greenhouse gas management (carbon dioxide capture, followed by transportation, long-term storage and/or use) • A National Electrical Highway (Upgrades to electrical infrastructure with improved local access for wind and other renewable energy sources) The accompanying chart illustrates how these three projects would be integrated. Coal gasification is not combustion with the accompanying release of massive emissions of carbon dioxide at low concentrations. New coal/biomass gasification technology produces hydrogen, electricity, and a concentrated stream of carbon dioxide that can be recovered and stored underground. The oil sands, a major contributor to Canada’s future wealth, are not usable until the bitumen is upgraded by the addition of hydrogen. The existing practice of producing the needed hydrogen from natural gas (a low carbon footprint fuel) is not a viable longterm solution. Coal and oil sands need to be seen as an integrated resource. Greenhouse gas capture, transportation and storage are natural pathways for Canada. We are already injecting carbon dioxide into conventional oil reservoirs to promote enhanced oil recovery. We have almost unlimited future storage capacity in deep underground saline aquifers. The carbon dioxide is not stored as a high pressure gas, in danger of sudden release. It is stored as a liquid in the pore space, just like the original petroleum. Electricity is a provincial responsibility. Each province has developed its own electricity sector in accordance with provincial energy policies and prevailing economic

forces. This has typically resulted in stronger North-South than East-West connections and in many provinces has left a legacy of significant use of fossil fuels for the generation of electricity. Canada has renewable energy sources such as water and wind, in addition to uranium for nuclear reactors, that can provide electric power with very low greenhouse gas emissions over their life cycle. Significantly strengthened and new EastWest ties to form a robust national power grid would encourage interprovincial trade in electricity, provide improved grid access

full commercial scale. Canada has unique coal and biomass feedstocks. Processes that have been demonstrated in other countries need to be validated and ‘tuned up’ for use in Canada. The opportunity is huge, the plan has been strongly and widely endorsed, and an appropriate management structure has been proposed. The prize is unparalleled economic and social wealth in Canada over this century. This should be our moon shot! Where is the national will? Where is our champion?

by renewable sources and enhance reliability of supply. There is a made-in-Canada model for the appropriate type of project management. In the 1970s, former Alberta Premier Peter Lougheed, faced with minimum interest by the international oil companies in the deeply buried oil sands, established a cross sectoral management board to spearhead the required field demonstration projects. His initial $100 million ‘signal’ to industry led to a $1 billion -$3 billion in today’s dollars - joint government/industry program. The concept of a cross sectoral management board to meet our current challenges has been proposed by both the recent Canadian Academy of Engineering Energy Pathways report, and NRCan’s commissioned Powerful Connections - also known as the Bruneau report. So why are we not running our energy system this way now? The technologies are largely new and have not been tested on a

Energy must be seen as an integrated system. A national electrical grid would facilitate interprovincial transfers of electricity and access by distributed sources of renewable energy, with intermediate storage when required. Coal gasification at various locations across Canada would deliver electricity to the grid, and provide hydrogen for upgrading the oil sands, replacing the natural gas now used. Carbon dioxide for the coal plants and oil sand projects would be captured and stored underground at levels sufficient to meet Canada’s GHG emission targets.

Clement Bowman will be receiving the Global Energy International Prize in St. Petersburg on June 7 from Russian President Dmitry Medvedev for his work on the development of highly efficient processes for extracting oil from oil sands.

october 2008 Canadian Chemical News 17

The Role of the

Process Safety Engineer

Brian D. Kelly, MCIC, P. Eng.

ith recent media attention to industrial accidents in the US and elsewhere, many companies have renewed their interest in process safety. The drive and commitment to process safety must start at the top of a company and transcend through several layers of supervision before real benefits can be realized. Actions taken at the field level will determine how well an operation will stand up to mechanical failures, process upsets and procedural errors. Process safety management is a holistic framework of activities that address the integrity of an operating system. Process safety deals with the processes, the equipment and the people who support the operation. Success depends on the involvement of all workers; however, each person must be assigned specific responsibilities based on an individual’s knowledge, skill and work experience. A technical champion must be assigned to ensure that work processes are carried out correctly and consistently. This role is typically assigned to the process safety engineer, commonly referred to as the “risk” engineer. It may seem trivial to assign an engineer to an operation with a written mandate. Unless that role is well understood and supported by all, the engineer will lose interest and will eventually retreat to another career path. Alternatively, the risk engineer may be recognized outside his or her own company and will be offered a job elsewhere where a strong process safety culture exists. The risk engineer is not the owner of Process Safety Management. He or she has no direct authority to make things happen or to force workers to comply. Process Safety is a line function and must be driven by line supervision. A process safety coordinator is usually assigned to coordinate PSM activities with regular line activities. That coordination ensures that all workers are considered for participation and that activities such as hazard assessments, plant inspections, procedure reviews and audits are carried out when resources are available. The coordinator may also serve as a conduit between workers and line management. The risk engineer is an expert resource to support work in the various PSM elements. The job is typically assigned to a chemical or mechanical engineer. A working knowledge of process chemistry, vapor pressure, toxicity, gas dispersion, fluid mechanics, process equipment and risk is a pre-requisite. Experience in plant operations is also a valuable asset.

18 L’Actualité chimique canadienne octobre 2008

The risk engineer will often intervene in hazard reviews and ensure that consequence and frequency categories are well understood before reaching conclusions. This cannot be done if he or she is always assigned the facilitator role. The risk engineer is often involved in external technical networks that develop and promote new and improved risk and safety methodologies. He or she will routinely perform process calculations to support operating decisions. These may deal with vapor pressure, thermal radiation, concentration contours and safe operating limits. Facility siting assessment (of buildings) on plant sites is another area requiring the involvement of a risk engineer. The risk engineer needs to be a good communicator. His or her credibility will depend on relationships established at the field level. Timely, follow-up on actions is very important. In some ways, the risk engineer will serve as a role model in matters of process safety. Finally, documentation is an important part of the risk engineering role. All assumptions and rationale supporting risk decisions and key operating strategies must be documented for future reference. These may be requested as evidence in a court of law following a major incident. The process safety or risk engineer fulfils a very important role. Process safety provides an enjoyable and rewarding career path for a competent engineer. However, the benefits of this position can be compromised by persons who do not understand its purpose and choose to place the burden of all process safety on the engineer. Companies are advised to carefully establish the role before assigning engineers to process safety. Engineers appointed to this important position should ensure that their job descriptions and level are fully reflective of their important work activities and should widely communicate this information within their organization.

Brian Kelly MCIC, P. Eng has over 34 years of engineering, operations and process safety experience in the oil industry with Imperial Oil Ltd. and Syncrude Canada Ltd. He is currently the principal of BriRisk Consulting Ltd. in Calgary and continues his active involvement in the process safety community in both Canada and the United States. He is also a part-time staff consultant for the Center for Chemical Process Safety of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers.

october 2008 Canadian Chemical Newsâ&#x20AC;&#x201A; 19

Future Fuel

Iogen’s cellulose ethanol helps more than just the environment

Chris Rogers

ven though cellulosic ethanol is currently not avalible to the consumer, Iogen has provided their brand of cellulosic ethanol fuel for a number of environmentally sound events. Iogen is a leading company in the production of cellulosic ethanol. Based at their demonstration plant in Ottawa, they are active in promoting the benefits of cellulose ethanol and the use of flex fuel vehicles. Ethanol, as a fuel, has been around for a while. Most car manufacturers now produce vehicles which can run on some blend of ethanol and gasoline. Although using ethanol in vehicles is an excellent step forward in cleaning up our environment and reducing our emissions and greenhouse gasses, Iogen has taken a closer look at the entire process and created a solution with many more benefits. Typically, conventional ethanol is derived from food crops. Corn and sugar cane are perhaps the most widely used crops in the production of biofuels. The biggest problem with using food crops to create biofuels is fairly obvious, how much corn can we devote to producing ethanol fuel before we begin to cut into the food supply. The same basic concept can be applied to almost any first generation biofuel. They are made from resources, which we as humans, consume as food. The implications of devoting more and more of the food supply to

20 L’Actualité chimique canadienne octobre 2008

Above: The evaporator at Iogen’s demonstration facility in Ottawa, Ontario.

the creation of ethanol can be seen in the because it could potentially be burned at meet their biofuels policies and mandates,” rising costs of these food crops. The quesa full-scale facility to generate power and says Mandy Chepeka, director of communition then becomes not, will we have enough fuel the entire process. If there are is any cations at Iogen. “The intention is that those corn to eat, but, can we afford to eat corn? excess power it can actually be sold back mandates will be met not only by convenEnter Iogen, who produces ethanol which is to the power grid. Iogen currently does not tional ethanol but by second generation not derived from food crops but instead from burn the lignin at their demonstration plant biofuels as well.” biomass, the waste products of the food in Ottawa. By using the waste products, known in Iogen cites three key benefits to the producthe industry as ‘biomass,’ producing ethanol crops which would normally not be used. tion of second generation ethanol. Iogen sees does not hinder the food supply. The use of This brand of ethanol is known as cellulosic ethanol, and is considered to be a second these benefits as essential to the acceptance biomass to produce ethanol can alleviate generation ethanol product. of second generation biofuels at every level. cases where ethanol production has been Second generation ethanol blamed for rising costs of food is a huge step forward in the crops. Farmers would not longer biofuel industry. Instead of have to decide to grow crops for relying on food crops such as biofuel or for food, but can take part corn or sugar cane, the ethanol in both. is derived from the waste prod“Because we’re using agricultural ucts of these plants: corn husks residue, in this case, wheat straw, and wheat straw. Iogen has a that’s an extra revenue stream for very specific way in which they farmers,” says Chepeka. “In the old create their ethanol. It is impordays it would have been burned off.” tant to understand that not all Not only does the use of cellulosic cellulosic ethanol is created the ethanol help to build rural economies but it can also reduce reliance same way. Iogen uses a process called ‘enzymatic hydrolysis’ on imported oil. Although ethanol that is very different from other is, for the most part, blended with cellulosic companies, which regular gasoline to create fuel, the use processes like ‘gasificafuel supply would be able to be tion’ and ‘thermo-chemical’. stretched much further. This could Iogen begins their process also potentially lower the cost of fuel with a cellulosic wheat straw, as well. Another benefit would also which goes through a pre-treatbe the increase in energy security for ment “where the [wheat straw] any country using second generation is cooked in the presence of biofuels. In the U.S. alone, Chepeka acid to break down the fibrous adds that their Energy, Independence structure.” Then enzymes are and Security act mandates reliance added to the pretreated mateon biofuels by the year 2022 of the rial too at the hydrolysis stage total mandate 16 billion gallons must to convert the plant fibres into be from cellulosic ethanol. sugars. This is where the Iogen “Depending on where you are process is very different than geographically it’s important to other producers of cellulosic reduce reliance on imported oil ehtanol. The enzymes, which and grow your own energy,” says are added to the pretreated Chepeka “reducing reliance on fibres, are Iogen proprietary imported oil and increasing energy “Instead of relying on food crops such as corn or sugar cane, the ethanol is derived technologies that are created security are extremely important.” from the waste products of these plants: corn husks and wheat straw.” for the process at their plant in The ability to burn the lignin Ottawa. After the enzymatic hydrolysis stage The ability of ethanol to lower overall greenis a huge benefit because it reduces the the sugars are separated, fermented and house gas emissions, the ability to reduce amount of greenhouse gasses produced in distilled. Iogen also separates themselves reliance on imported oil and increase energy the process. This does not even begin to from other producers by using yeast from security and the ability to help build rural touch upon the benefits of burning ethanol Purdue University to ferment the glucose. economy. It is the later of the three could in vehicles. The Iogen website states that the The ethanol produced after this stage is help manufacturers of cellulosic ethanol sell Canadian government has estimated that denatured and blended with gasoline. At their product to weary governments. “The greenhouse has emissions would be reduced the separation stage, a lignin by-product intention is to help governments such as the by 1.8 megatonnes per year if only 35% is produced. This lignin is very important federal government in Canada and the U.S. percent of gasoline in Canada contained

october 2008 Canadian Chemical News 21

10% percent ethanol. Although conventional ethanol has many benefits, using a cellulosic ethanol could do even more to reduce emissions and greenhouse gasses, and even increase energy security and boost the rural economy. Although cellulosic ethanol is currently not available to the public, Iogen has had a

flexible fuel variants of the Chevrolet Impala using Iogen cellulosic ethanol. The fleet was used to transport delegates back and forth between the convention, the hotels and the airport. Another environmental initiative that Iogen has participated in is Mission Green. Mission Green was a cross-Canada trip sponsored

“By using the waste products, known in the industry as ‘biomass,’ producing ethanol does not hinder the food supply.” number of promising demonstrations, which showcase the effectiveness of its biofuel. In December 2007 Iogen provided enough cellulose based ethanol to power a race car driven by Steve Zadig of Green Alternative Motorsports to a second place finish in a 25 hour race at Thuderhill raceway in California. Iogen has also fueled a fleet of vehicles at the United Nations COP 11 (convention of parties) Convention on Climate Change in Montreal in 2005. The vehicles used were

by General Motors where two GMC Yukon’s running on E85 cellulosic ethanol would stop at noteworthy environmental events along the way. Even though Mission Green was not an Iogen initiative, the company was approached to supply the fuel for the vehicles. The trip began in Halifax and ended in Victoria, covering over 16,000 kilometres in total. The trip also set a world record as the first long distance trip fueled entirely by E85 cellulose ethanol. “By driving coast to coast under all

The evaporator at Iogen’s demonstration facility in Ottawa, Ontario.

22 L’Actualité chimique canadienne Octobre 2008

kinds of road and weather conditions, we’ve shown again that cellulose ethanol is ready to go,” said Jeff Passmore, executive vice president of Iogen, commenting on the use of Iogen’s fuel. Iogen keeps an entire fleet of E85 ready Chevrolet Impalas at their facility in Ottawa. These are the same vehicles which are available to the general public from General Motors. They can run off of any blend of ethanol up to E85 or run strictly on conventional gasoline. Iogen will be bringing one of their flex fuel vehicles to the Canadian Chemical Engineering Conference in Ottawa in October. “We will bring one of our flex fuel vehicles filled up with cellulose ethanol and have it on display at our booth,” says Chepeka. “[we want to] talk about fuel, talk about the industry and to answer questions about flexible fuel vehicles because people don’t know a lot about them yet, even through they are widely available.” Clearly, the ethanol industry is still waiting for the paradigm shift, that eureka moment from consumers. Flex fuel vehicles are already available from most major car manufacturers and a quick check of the internet reveals websites where potential flex fuel customers can check for E85 pumps in their area. “What you’re seeing right now is a perfect storm in that there’s a need from all of those areas, from the climate change perspective, from the need for increased energy security, and plus the extra benefits for farmers, it’s perfect for the creation of this new industry and certainly governments have recognized that,” says Chepeka. “Not only are [governments] putting into place biofuels mandates but they have also put into place economic instruments to help fuel the growth of this new industry.” Governments have recognized the benefits of using ethanol in vehicles, especially cellulose based ethanol because of its reliance on biomass and ability of a cellulose ethanol plant to be potentially self-sustaining, even generating excess power. Iogen’s enzymatic hydrolysis process sets the company apart from others, and its operational demonstration plant showcases the technology. “We’ve been at this longer than anyone else,” says Chepeka. “We’re the only ones who’ve had an operating demonstration facility this long.” The future looks bright for cellulose ethanol producers, with governments mandating ethanol use. Hopefully, its use will create meaningful change.

october 2008 Canadian Chemical Newsâ&#x20AC;&#x201A; 23

Alarmingly low awareness of REACH in North America PwC survey Failure to comply could lead to a ban on exports to the EU

Michael Clifford

espite a November 30 deadline for taking steps to comply, a new PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) survey shows awareness of REACH is alarmingly low, especially in North America and outside the chemicals industry. Failure to meet the terms of REACH could lead to a ban on exports to the EU so compliance is relevant to producers around the world, not just those in Europe. Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals—REACH—became law on June 1, 2007, to streamline and improve the former legislative framework on chemicals of the European Union (EU). REACH places greater responsibility on industry to manage the risks that chemicals may pose to health and the environment. In principle, REACH applies to all chemicals, not only chemicals used in industrial processes but also in products such as cleansers, paints and appliances that touch our day-to-day lives. The aims of REACH are to:

24 L’Actualité chimique canadienne octobre 2008

• Improve the protection of human health and the environment from the risks that can be posed by chemicals • Enhance the competitiveness of the EU chemicals industry, a key sector for the economy of the EU • Promote alternative methods for the assessment of hazards of substances • Ensure the free circulation of substances on the internal market of the European Union “There’s no question REACH will have a major impact on businesses that use or produce chemical substances,” says Dean Mullett, leader of the Canadian industrial products practice. “Compliance will be expensive and challenging.” The survey of 241 senior executives across six industries in 29 countries found that two in five companies have limited awareness of the regulation and one in four executives feels Europe’s newest rules on chemicals and their safe use will have no impact on operations. European firms are the most aware of REACH with North American companies falling behind by a considerable margin. Large companies have greater awareness of REACH than smaller ones. Among industries, chemicals leads the way on awareness followed by pharmaceuticals, industrial manufacturing, forest, paper and packaging, retail and consumer, and automotive. This widespread lack of awareness raises concerns that North American companies may miss important REACH deadlines and, as a result, suffer significant business disruptions. In contrast, companies first in line to meet the REACH pre-registration deadlines gain competitive advantages because the law allows them to continue operating as usual and extends the timeline to register existing substances used in the European market. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) estimates between 10% and 30% of classified chemicals that are listed with the ECHA will disappear as a result of REACH. Early communication with downstream companies and suppliers, whose businesses may be adversely impacted by the disappearance of these substances, is essential to maintain supply chains. However, most North American respondents to our survey had not discussed REACH with customers or suppliers and only half of European

companies said they have initiated contact with suppliers concerning REACH. “This apparent lack of action to contact suppliers and engage in discussions with downstream companies and customers may negatively affect business,” notes Mullett. Most organizations said they have not yet completed risk assessments on how REACH will impact their businesses. Only 10% had completed a detailed assessment and 31% had no risk assessment at all. Asia-Pacific and North American companies are the least prepared in terms of carrying out the necessary level of risk assessment to measure the impact of the REACH legislation. Those executives surveyed who are in the know about REACH said there would be risks to implementing the law. Over half cited the cost and time involved, followed closely by supplier risk (49%). Only 14% of executives surveyed feel REACH will have a positive impact on their businesses; the majority are withholding judgement until the legislation comes into effect. When asked what action companies were most likely to take as a result of the REACH legislation, an overwhelming 66% said to ensure suppliers adhere to REACH compliance deadlines, otherwise known as supply chain assurance. Another 46% said they would take action to help suppliers comply with REACH, and 45% said the legislation would require them to renegotiate or modify their supplier contracts. “Only those companies that meet pre-registration deadlines for REACH will truly capitalise on the legislation. This includes continuing to operate business as usual and qualifying for an extended timeline to register existing substances used in the European market. REACH-compliant businesses can potentially be seen as forward thinking, responsible and efficient,” concludes Mullett. Waking up to REACH is available to download at www.pwc. com/chemicals PricewaterhouseCoopers (www. pwc.com) provides industryfocused assurance, tax and advisory services to build public trust and enhance value for its clients and their stakeholders. More than 146,000 people in

150 countries across our network share their thinking, experience and solutions to develop fresh perspectives and practical advice. In Canada, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (www. pwc.com/ca) and its related entities have more than 5,200 partners and staff in offices across the country.

Michael Clifford, PwC Canada Industrial Products Tax Leader – Chemicals

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october 2008 Canadian Chemical News 25

Recognition reconnaissance Athar Ata, MCIC has been awarded the Clifford J. Robson Memorial Award for Excellence in Teaching. Ata is a professor of chemistry at the University of Winnipeg. Ata’s labs engage, motivate and educate future chemists while instilling the highest education standards.

l’efficacité des cellules photovoltaïques que l’on retrouve par exemple dans les panneaux solaires ou encore dans les diodes émettrices de lumière. Harvey has also been named 2008 Senior Chair for the ANR (Agence nationale de la recherche for a two year term. He will be involved in opening a second lab at the Université de Bourgogne in Dijon and continue his research on bio-inspired organometallic polymers and materials for photonics (such as photovoltaic cells).

2008 CSChE Chemical Engineering Local Section Scholarship Winner

Rebecca Pinto, ACIC

Amy Tremblay, MCIC Merck has announced the winners of the second annual Merck Index Women in Chemistry scholarship programme. The scholarship is aimed at gaining support for women who choose to pursue advanced degrees in medicinal or synthetic organic chemistry. Amy Tremblay, MCIC, of Carleton University was named one of the five award winners.

Heather Dana Munroe ACCN’s former managing editor, Heather Dana Munroe, closed the book on her 78th issue of the magazine on Aug. 21, 2008. She has now turned her attention to the 2nd edition of the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans under the auspices of the Secretariat of Research Ethics.

Rebecca Pinto, ACIC, is currently completing her BSc in chemical engineering at the University of Alberta (U of A) and has been an active member of her Chemical Engineering Students’ Society for several years. She is also actively involved with the U of A’s chapter of Engineers Without Borders and last year, was coordinator of their school outreach program. The program aims to educate youth about issues surrounding sustainability, the causes of poverty, and development. It also focuses on the importance of engineering and access to appropriate technologies in improving the quality of life for people around the world. Pinto loves languages, experiencing different cultures, traveling, sports, and spontaneous adventures. She is currently completing an eight-month work term in Nance, France.

In Memoriam Pierre Harvey

The CIC extends its condolences to the families of:

Pierre D. Harvey, professeur au Département de chimie de la Faculté des sciences à l’Université de Sherbrooke a obtenu le prix Gerhard-Herzberg 2008 de la Société canadienne de sciences analytiques et de spectroscopie pour ses travaux sur de nouveaux matériaux inspirés par la biologie. En s’inspirant des systèmes photoniques biologiques, Harvey vise à concevoir de nouveaux matériaux qui pourraient améliorer

Jan Bron, FCIC

26 L’Actualité chimique canadienne Octobre 2008

Gordon M. Cameron, MCIC Mr. David R.A. Williams, MCIC R. M. Heggie, FCIC Walter A. Rupar, MCIC Simon P.N. Van Der Heijden, FCIC

Did You Know ACCN

all issues of prior to 2008 are free to view on-line at www.accn.ca?

Recognition reconnaissance

Canadian Society for Chemical engineering 2008 Award Winners Gagnants 2008 des prix de la Société canadienne de gÉnie chimique

Yonghao Ni, MCIC

Thomas Marlin

Bantrel Award in Design and Industrial Practice Prix Bantrel de la conception et de la pratique industrielle Sponsored by / Parrainé par Bantrel The Bantrel Award in Design and Industrial Practice is given to a Canadian citizen or a resident of Canada for innovative design or production activities accomplished in Canada. Le Prix Bantrel de la conception et de la pratique industrielle est présenté à un citoyen canadien ou une personne qui réside au Canada pour souligner une conception ou des activités de production novatrices effectuées au Canada. Yonghao Ni, MCIC University of New Brunswick Department of Chemical Engineering Yonghao Ni is a professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering and the Department of Chemistry at the University of New Brunswick. He is also the Director of the Limerick Pulp and Paper Centre, and one of the Executive Councilors of the Pulp and

Jan Windhorst

Krishnaswamy Nandakumar, FCIC

Paper Technical Association of Canada. Ni received his B.Eng. in 1985 from the Northwest Institute of Light Industry in China, and his MEng. and PhD from McGill University in 1989 and 1992 respectively. In 1992, he was appointed NSERC Industrial Research Chair (Junior Chair) in Pulping Technology and promoted to Associate Professor and Professor in 1996 and 2000, respectively. He was awarded a Canada Research Chair (Tier 1) in 2002. Ni’s scientific contributions are in the areas of wood chemistry, pulping, pulp bleaching, and pulp properties. Ni has been involved in the development of a number of innovative pulp and paper processes in collaboration with industrial partners, many of which have been commercialized. He is an internationally recognized researcher, and has had 145 publications in refereed scientific journals, over 112 conference papers, 6 patents, and 7 patent applications pending. Ni has received many awards from Canada, the USA, and China, including: the Douglas Atack Award (Pulp and Paper Technical Association of Canada); the Syncrude Canada Innovation Award (Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering); a Distinguished Professorship (Tianjin University of Science and Technology); the John S. Bates Award (Pulp and Paper Technical Association

Janet Elliott, MCIC

D. G. Fisher Award Prix D.-G.-Fisher Sponsored by / Parrainé par the department of chemical and materials engineering, University of Alberta, Suncor Energy Foundation and Shell Canada Limited/ le département de génie chimique et des matériaux de la University of Alberta, la Suncor Energy Foundation et Shell Canada Limitée. The D. G. Fisher Award is awarded to an individual who has made substantial contributions to the field of systems and control engineering. The award is given in recognition of significant contributions to any, or all, of the areas of theory, practice, and education. Le Prix D.-G.-Fisher est décerné à une personne qui s’est distinguée par ses contributions importantes dans le domaine du génie des systèmes et des contrôles. Il couronne les apports importants dans certains ou tous les domaines suivants : la théorie, la pratique et l’éducation. Thomas Marlin McMaster University Department of Chemical Engineering

october 2008 Canadian Chemical News 27

Recognition reconnaissance Tom Marlin joined the Department of Chemical Engineering at McMaster University as NSERC Research Professor in Industrial Process Control in 1988. He received his PhD from the University of Massachusetts in 1972; then, he practiced engineering for 15 years in the chemical and petroleum industries where he designed and implemented control systems for chemical plants and petroleum refineries. He teaches university courses in process control, process analysis, problem solving, and optimization and has published a textbook on process control in the McGrawHill Series, which is in its second edition. In addition, he presents industrial short courses on process control, control benefits, and optimization. Marlin’s research interests focus on improved performance of dynamic systems through real-time operations optimization and process control design. Current research concentrates on (a) robust MPC performance, (b) monitoring closed-loop optimization performance, (c) model fidelity for optimization and (d) determining the proper structure for plant-wide control. Marlin served as the visiting fellow for the 1988 Warren Centre (Australia) study on control benefits, received the McMaster President’s Award for teaching in 2001, and received the 2002 Kalev Pugi Award from the Society of Chemical Industry of Canada (with J. MacGregor).

Process Safety Management Award Prix de gestion de la sécurité opérationnelle Sponsored by / Parrainé par AON Reed Stenhouse Inc. The Process Safety Management Award is presented as a mark of recognition to a person who has made an outstanding contribution in Canada to the Process Safety Management (PSM) Division of the Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering recognizing excellence in the leadership and dedication of individuals who have led Canada in the field of process safety and loss management (PSLM). Le Prix de gestion de la sécurité opérationnelle est décerné à titre de reconnaissance à une

28 L’Actualité chimique canadienne Octobre 2008

personne qui s’est distinguée au Canada par sa contribution exceptionnelle au sein de la Division de la gestion de la sécurité opérationnelle de la Société canadienne de génie chimique. Il reconnaît l’excellence du leadership et du dévouement des personnes qui ont été des chefs de file dans le secteur canadien de la gestion de la sécurité opérationnelle et des pertes. Jan Windhorst WEC Inc. Jan Windhorst received his education in the Netherlands where he acquired a PhD in chemistry from Leiden University in 1975. In 1979, he received his MSc in chemical engineering from the Technical University in Delft. His academic experience includes pilot plant work and extensive postdoctoral chemical work. In 1980, he joined Syncrude and worked as a process “lead” on several large projects and developed dispersion and vapour cloud explosion software for building risk studies. In 1989, he joined NOVA Chemicals as a process development and safety engineer. For many years he represented NOVA Chemicals on the technical steering committee and subcommittees of the Center for Chemical Process Safety (CCPS) of the AIChE. Early in 2008, he left NOVA to pursue other interest and start his own consulting company, WEC Inc. He is a member of the VDI, the ACS, the ISA and the AIChE and has peer-reviewed many of their CCPS books.

R. S. Jane Memorial Award Prix commémoratif R.-S.-Jane Sponsored by / Parrainé par CSChE The R. S. Jane Memorial Award is the premier prize of the Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering and is awarded for exceptional achievement in chemical engineering or industrial chemistry in Canada. Le prix commémoratif R.-S.-Jane est le prix principal présenté par la Société canadienne de génie chimique pour souligner une contribution exceptionnelle au domaine du génie chimique ou de la chimie industrielle au Canada.

Krishnaswamy Nandakumar, FCIC University of Alberta Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering Petroleum Institute, Abu Dhabi, UAE Department of Chemical Engineering Krishnaswamy Nandakumar has been a professor of chemical engineering at the University of Alberta for 25 years. Currently, he is the GASCO Chair Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the Petroleum Institute, Abu Dhabi, UAE. Nandakumar received his BTech from Madras University in 1973, MSc from University of Saskatchewan in 1975 and his PhD from Princeton University in 1979. He has received the Alexander von Humnboldt research fellowship from the German government in 1989-90 and the Albright & Wilson Americas Award from the Canadian Society of Chemical Engineering in 1991 for distinguished contributions to chemical engineering before reaching the age of 40. Nandakumar was elected as Fellow of the Chemical Institute of Canada in 1991 and a Fellow of the Engineering Institute of Canada in 2006. He has received, from the University of Alberta, the McCalla Professorship (1992), the Killam Annual Professorship (2001) for excellence in research and the Rutherford Award (2001) for excellence in teaching. He has received the Excellence in Education Award (2002) and the Frank Spragins Technical Award (2008) from the Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists of Alberta. He has received the Sartorius India’s Chemcon Distinguished Speaker Award in 2003 and the CK Murthy memorial lecture award in 2006 from the Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers. He has been appointed as Editor of The Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering effective Jan 2005.

Syncrude Canada Innovation Award Prix d’innovation Syncrude Canada Sponsored by / Parrainé par Syncrude Canada Limited The Syncrude Canada Innovation Award is presented annually to a resident of Canada,

Janet Elliott, MCIC University of Alberta Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering Janet A.W. Elliott has been heralded by Time magazine as a researcher who defines the frontiers of science, by Alberta’s largest newspapers as a scientist who encapsulates the Albertan spirit, and by a former student as a professor who could “convince rocks to study thermodynamics.” Elliott, Professor and Canada Research Chair in Interfacial Thermodynamics in the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering at the University of Alberta, focuses her research on theoretical and experimental surface thermodynamics along with collaborative research on thermodynamics in cryobiology. Elliott received her BASc (1990) in the physics option of engineering science, and her MASc (1992) and PhD (1997) in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Toronto. After joining the University of Alberta as assistant professor in 1996, Elliott was promoted to the rank of Professor in 2003, simultaneously with her appointment as Visiting Professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Elliott currently serves on the NSERC Collaborative Health Research Projects selection committee and the editorial board of Cryobiology. She was the CSChE Director of Education and Student Affairs from 1998– 2001. She has won many national, provincial and institutional awards such as The Canadian Institute for Advanced Research Young Explorer’s Prize (2002), Canadian Council of Professional Engineers Young Engineer Achievement Award (2001), Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists, and Geophysicists of Alberta Early Accomplishment Award (2000), the Martha Cook Piper Research Prize (2007) and the University of Alberta Teaching Unit Award (2004).

Conferences October 19–22, 2008. 58th Canadian Chemical Engineering Conference, Ottawa, ON, www.csche2008.ca. July 5-9, 2009. 13th International IUPAC Conference on Polymers and Organic Chemistry (POC09), Montreal, QC, www.poc09.com. August 23-27, 2009. 8th World Congress of Chemical Engineering, Montreal, QC, www.wcce8.org.

U.S. and Overseas October 20–22, 2008. LABTECH Conference & Exhibition 2008, Manama, Bahrain, www.lab-tech.info. November 16–21, 2008. 2008 AIChE Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA, www.aiche.org/ Conferences/AnnualMeeting/index.aspx. December 12–15, 2008. 10th European Meeting on Supercritical Fluids, Strasbourg, France, www.isasf.net/strasbourg.

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Le Prix d’innovation Syncrude Canada est décerné annuellement pour souligner une contribution importante au domaine du génie chimique par un ingénieur chimiste de moins de 40 ans qui réside au Canada.

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who has made a distinguished contribution to chemical engineering before the age of 40.

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Events Événements

Recognition reconnaissance

october 2008 Canadian Chemical News 29

Public Understanding of Chemistry 2008 The CIC wishes to acknowledge the following organizations for their generous sponsorship of PUC 2008:

Gold / D’or BASF H. L. Blachford Ltd. Merck Frosst Canada Ltd. NOVA Chemicals Corp. Rohm and Haas Canada Inc.

Silver Anachemia Science Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd. Rhodia Canada Inc.

Bronze Genzyme Diagnostics P.E.I. Inc.

30 L’Actualité chimique canadienne Octobre 2008

A program of the Chemical Institute of Canada (CIC)

What is the goal? Its aim is to demystify and popularize chemistry in general, to motivate young people to discover it and even consider a career in the field. The program presents concrete examples of success such as major discoveries in the world of chemistry, to work towards eradicating the negative perception the general public often has of chemistry.

What does it involve? Some of the elements of the program are created by the CIC while others are organized in partnership with other organizations. The following examples showcase the intentions of the program:

• • • • • • • •

Canadian Chemistry Contest; Canadian Chemistry Olympiad; Science Fairs; Canadian Chemistry Milestones; Canadian Chemical Landmarks; Canadian Science and Engineering Hall of Fame; National Crystal Growing Competition; National Chemistry Week.

For details, contact the CIC at publicunderstanding@cheminst.ca

CIC Career Services • View our online list of over 1500 employers • Post your resume on CIC’s Career Site • Attend Career Fairs at CSChE and CSC conferences • Check-out the Employment Ads in ACCN Visit CIC’s CareerSite to begin your job search at

www.chemjobs.ca

october 2008 Canadian Chemical News 31

careers carrières

University of Saskatchewan

Department of Chemical Engineering

The Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan is seeking to hire a tenure-track faculty member at the Assistant/Associate/Full Professor level. Located on one of Canada’s most attractive campuses, the Department is internationally recognized for its contributions to teaching, scholarship, research, and innovation. It offers extraordinary opportunities for multi-disciplinary interaction, as well as ground-breaking collaborative research in partnership with colleagues from the Canadian Light Source (CLS) Synchrotron, Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC), as well as companied located at Innovation Place in Saskatoon. Approaching its centennial, the College of Engineering is poised for unprecedented growth and transformation. Currently ranked in the top ten per cent in North America (Gourman), it is a major research-intensive academic unit promoting collegiality. The Department of Chemical engineering, housed in a new building with large, modern research laboratories, has three major research themes: Oil and Gas Processing, Energy and Environment, and Biochemical Engineering. The Department is a dynamic community of scholars dedicated to challenge old notions and create new ideas that are shared with students. It offers a thriving intellectual climate, opportunities for partnerships and collaboration, and an oasis of green space in the heart of one of the world’s most charming campuses. More information about the Department can be found at: http://www. engr.usask.ca/dept/cen. Candidates with research and teaching excellence in one or more of the strategic research areas: petroleum and gas processing, biofuels and other alternative energy, environmental technologies, and mineral processing will be considered. Candidates must have a PhD. in Chemical Engineering or a related discipline. Those who have an excellent track record linking two or more of these areas will be given priority. The successful incumbent will be expected to contribute to high-quality undergraduate and graduate education. In addition, the incumbent must establish and sustain a dynamic and vigorous national-caliber research program. Membership or eligibility for membership in a Canadian professional engineering association is a requirement. Interested candidates should submit applications, including a detailed curriculum vitae, statement of teaching and research interests, plans for future research, and names and addresses of three referees, and copies of selected recent publications to: Dr. Ajay K. Dalai, Head, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, 57 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A9. (ajay.dalai@usask.ca) The closing date for applications is November 30, 2008. Anticipated appointment start date is July 1, 2009. Consideration of candidates will begin immediately. The University is committed to Employment Equity. Members of Designated Groups (women, aboriginal people, people with disabilities and visible minorities) are encouraged to self-identify on their applications. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply, however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW BRUNSWICK, FREDERICTON Department of Chemistry

http://www.unb.ca/fredericton/science/chemistry/ The University of New Brunswick, Department of Chemistry, Fredericton invites applications for a continuing (tenure-track) position at the Assistant Professor level to commence July 1, 2009 or soon thereafter. In particular, the Department of Chemistry is looking for applications in the areas of analytical or synthetic chemistry; preference will be given to applicants whose research interests are related to the strategic research plan of the Department, namely in the areas of biological or pharmaceutical chemistry or materials science. However, strong candidates in other disciplines will be given serious consideration. Qualifications required include a Ph.D. and postdoctoral experience. Demonstrated excellence in research and excellent potential for teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels are required. Candidates should submit a curriculum vitae, a list of publications, a research proposal which MUST be prepared in NSERC 101 format (www.nserc.ca), and a statement of teaching philosophy to: Dr. Allan Adam, Chair Department of Chemistry University of New Brunswick 30 Dineen Dr Fredericton, NB E3B 6E2 Email: chemchair@unb.ca Fax: (506) 453-4981 Applicants should arrange for three (3) letters of reference to be sent directly to the Chair. Review of the applications will begin after November 15, 2008. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. Applicants should indicate current citizenship status. The University of New Brunswick is committed to the principle of employment equity. This position is subject to budgetary approval.

32 L’Actualité chimique canadienne Octobre 2008

The Canadian Society for Chemical Technology

2009AWARD

The Norman and Marion Bright Memorial Award is awarded to an individual

who has made an outstanding contribution in Canada to the furtherance of chemical technology. The person so honoured may be either a chemical sciences technologist, or a person from outside the field who has made a significant and noteworthy contribution to it advancement.

Award: A medal and a cash prize.

Deadline

The deadline for this CSCT award is December 1, 2008 for the 2009 selection. Nomination forms and the full Terms of Reference for this award is available at www.chem-tech.ca/awards.

october 2008 Canadian Chemical News 33

Nominations are now open for

The Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering

2009AWARDS Act now!

Do you know an outstanding person who deserves to be recognized?

The Bantrel Award in Design and Industrial Practice is presented to a Canadian citizen or a resident of Canada for innovative design or production activities accomplished in Canada. The activities may have resulted in a significant achievement in product or process design, small or large company innovation, or multidisciplinary designdirected research or production. The achievement will relate to the practice of chemical engineering and/or industrial chemistry whether in research and development, process implementation, entrepreneurialism, innovation, production or some combination of these. It may be via a well-known, long-standing reputation for translating chemical engineering principles into design and industrial practice and, through this, contribute to the profession as a whole. Sponsored by Bantrel. Award: A plaque and a cash prize.

The D. G. Fisher Award is presented to an individual who has made substantial contributions to the field of systems and control engineering. The award is given in recognition of significant contributions in any, or all, of the areas of theory, practice, and education. Sponsored by the department of chemical and materials engineering, University of Alberta, Suncor Energy Foundation, and Shell Canada Limited. Award: A framed scroll, a cash prize and travel expenses.

The Process Safety Management Award is presented as a mark of recognition to a person who has made an outstanding contribution in Canada to the Process Safety Management (PSM) Division of the Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering recognizing excellence in the leadership and dedication of individuals who have led Canada in the field of process safety and loss management (PSLM). Sponsored by AON Reed Stenhouse Inc. Award: A framed scroll and a cash prize.

The R. S. Jane Memorial Award is presented to an individual who has made new significant contributions to chemical engineering or industrial chemistry in Canada. Sponsored by the Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering. Award: A framed scroll, a cash prize and registration fee to the CSChE Conference.

The Syncrude Canada Innovation Award is presented to a resident of Canada who has made a distinguished contribution to the field of chemical engineering while working in Canada. Nominees for this award shall not have reached the age of 40 years by January of the year in which the nomination becomes effective. Sponsored by Syncrude Canada Ltd. Award: A framed scroll and a cash prize.

Deadline

The deadline for all CSChE awards is December 1, 2008 for the 2009 selection.

Nomination Procedure

Submit your nominations to: Awards Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering 130 Slater Street, Suite 550 Ottawa, ON K1P 6E2 Tel.: 613-232-6252, ext. 223 Fax: 613-232-5862 awards@cheminst.ca

Nomination forms and the full Terms of Reference for these awards are available at www.chemeng.ca/awards

october 2008 Canadian Chemical Newsâ&#x20AC;&#x201A; 35

36 L’Actualité chimique canadienne Octobre 2008

w w w . p a c i f i c h e m . o r g

Pacifichem 2010 December 15â&#x20AC;&#x201C;20, 2010

Call for Symposia Round two opened August 1, 2008 and closes November 30, 2008.

he Canadian Society for Chemistry (CSC) is the host society. Howard Alper, HFCIC, O.C., University of Ottawa, is the Congress Chair and Steven Holdcroft, FCIC, Simon Fraser University/National Research Council (NRC) is the Technical Program Chair. Other sponsoring societies are the American Chemical Society (ACS), Chemical Society of Japan (CSJ), Chinese Chemical Society (CCS), Korean Chemical Society (KCS), New Zealand Institute of Chemistry (NZIC), and the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI).

Guidelines for submitting proposals and more information on the Congress can be found on the Pacifichem 2010 website at www.pacifichem.org.

Technical Program

Promoting scientific exchange in the Pacific basin for a healthy and sustainable future.

Core Areas of Chemistry: analytical, inorganic, macromolecular, organic, and physical, theoretical, and computational Multi-and Cross-Disciplinary Areas of Chemistry: agrochemistry, biological, environmental, and materials and nanotechnology Challenges and Opportunities for Chemistry: alternate energy technology, chemistry outreach to the community, health and technology, and security

PM40021620