Oct 2007: ACCN, the Canadian Chemical News by Chemical Institute of Canada

l’actualité chimique canadienne canadian chemical news ACCN

october | octobre • 2007 • Vol. 59, No./no 9

CSCT Laboratory Safety Course

Process Safety Leadership Glow-in-the-dark Evacuations

Chemical Shifts WCCE8 in the Works Safe Gas Delivery Solutions

A Better Poison Soccer Ball Control Centres

SAFETY at Work and Play Poison Control Centres

CSCT Laboratory Safety Course

Chemical Shifts WCCE8 Process Safety Leadership

in the Works

wcce8 in the works

A Better Soccer Ball

Safe Gas Delivery Solutions Poison Control Centres

ACCN

october | octobre • 2007 • Vol. 59, 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

Ar ticles

Guest Column Chroniqueur invité . . . . . . 2 Laboratory Safety Eric Mead, FCIC

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

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

Patent Quest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Daphne C. Lainson, MCIC

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

The Critical Link

Jumpin’ Flashback

Guiding Light

Safety at Play

Digitized

Challenges for a Changing World

careers carrières . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

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

Air Liquide Canada Inc. develops safer equipment and gas delivery solutions. Tom Dixon

Glow-in-the-dark material improves building evacuations.

Chemical Shifts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Cathleen Crudden, MCIC, Hans-Peter loock, MCIC

Recognition reconnaissance . . . . . . . .

Process safety leadership is essential to successful plant operation. Brian D. Kelly, MCIC

There’s more fun to be had when chemistry gets in the game. Joe Schwarcz, MCIC

Canadian Journal of Chemistry back issues are now on-line. Robert H. Lipson, MCIC

Preparations begin for the WCCE8—the 8th World Congress of Chemical Engineering

Guest Column Chroniqueur invité

Managing Editor/Directrice de la rédaction Heather Dana Munroe Graphic Designer/Infographiste Krista Leroux

Laboratory Safety

a course in professional development

magine yourself as you start your first job. Your position is in a well-established laboratory. You concentrate on learning all the new procedures and standard operating procedures, getting to know the culture of the lab. A senior scientist who has been on the joint occupational health and safety committee for decades decides to retire and you are the replacement. You attend the first meeting and suddenly realize you are now the “expert” for all chemical safety in the building. You look back over your training and try to recall what you know about organizing effective safety measures in a laboratory setting. Canadian universities and colleges do not offer credit-level courses in chemical laboratory safety education and training in their curricula. Technical institutes and community colleges generally do. However, it is by no means consistent from place to place. Nor is it comprehensive. Frequently, it begins with a Web-based introduction to the Workplace Hazardous Material Information System (WHMIS) and is followed by laboratory specific instructions. The training rarely addresses many of the vitally important areas required by laboratories to function in this regulatory age, which include risk identification and management, inventory control, materials handling, waste handling and management, and audits. Technologists graduating from programs accredited by the Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists have met entry-level requirements for laboratory safety as required under the Canadian Technology Standards from the Canadian Technology Human Resources Board. At the 90th CSC Conference and Exhibition held in Winnipeg, MB in 2007, the Chemical Education Division sponsored a well-attended and lively symposium on laboratory safety, which demonstrated the interest in and need

L’Actualité chimique canadienne octobre 2007

Editorial Board/Conseil de rédaction Joe Schwarcz, MCIC, chair/président Cathleen Crudden, MCIC John Margeson, MCIC Milena Sejnoha, MCIC Bernard West, MCIC

Eric Mead, FCIC for better curricula and training. In terms of safety in the workplace, there are a number of programs and courses available through quite a variety of vendors, both governmental and private. However, there have been few opportunities for professional development in chemical laboratory safety available in Canada. This is one of the reasons that the Canadian Society for Chemical Technology (CSCT) Laboratory Safety Course was introduced to fulfill part of its professional development mandate. The CSCT Laboratory Safety Course was first presented at Mohawk College in Hamilton, ON, in October 2003 and has since been offered nine more times across Canada in most major Canadian cities as well as in two large industrial sites. This year has been especially busy with four courses scheduled, including one at this month’s CSChE Conference in Edmonton, AB. Participants have come from across the spectrum of Canadian industry, government, and academia. It has proven to be popular with chemical technologists, chemists, chemical engineers, safety professionals, and occupational health and safety committee members. Participants have included representatives from pharmaceutical companies, oil and gas production facilities, nuclear energy plants, environmental laboratories, biotechnology companies, plastics and pharmaceutical industries, mining and metallurgical laboratories, academic laboratories, and federal government agencies and laboratories. Participants receive continued on p. 33

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

Eric Mead, FCIC, is is a retired chemical technology instructor living in Calgary, AB, who spends much of his time renovating homes. He served as CIC chair from 2002 to 2003.

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News Nouvelles

letters lettres

What are Web References Worth? The July/August 2007 issue of ACCN illustrates a disturbing (at least to me) trend towards possible, indeed likely, mis-information. ACCN is not the only well-respected publication to be “guilty” of this trend. I refer to the articles that quote references such as Web sites and services such as Wikipedia. My understanding is that such references are not (peer) reviewed in the traditional scientific sense. Indeed the contents of such sites are owneror user-driven. I have come across several items in Internet-based reference services that are either incorrect or, at best, half-truths. Indeed there is an abundance of mis-information on the Internet placed there by self-serving individuals and organizations. As a judge at this year’s National Science Fair in Truro, NS, I viewed several projects that were based on an Internet reference or two. Some of these references caused students to take their projects in inappropriate directions. Respected publications must shun such a trend or, eventually, it will be possible to write a scientific paper, supported and accepted, based entirely on Internet references having little or no foundation. G. Boyce, MCIC

What Do You Think? editorial@accn.ca

News Nouvelles

Hola Green Chemistry Marissa Bender, MCIC, knows the importance of green chemistry and its benefits for the environment. Green chemistry addresses the reduction or elimination of harmful substances, and efficiency in reactions and processes. She recently had the chance to share her interest on this topic with other graduate students from around the world at the National Science Foundation Pan-American Advanced Studies

Agent of change. Marissa Bender, MCIC, brings the green message home from Mexico. Institute (PASI) on Sustainability and Green Chemistry that was held at the Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City. “We learned about green chemistry and engineering, how to implement it in our research, how to teach it to high school, elementary, and undergraduate students, how to ask for funding, and how to possibly influence government policy. And we learned all about benefits of green chemistry,” Bender said during an interview. “We also performed some green chemistry labs, participated in group discussions, looked at case studies, attended lectures, and had two poster presentation sessions.” She had the opportunity to present a poster regarding the use of grignard reagents in ionic liquids and polymers, both of which are non-traditional, greener solvents. One of the main goals of the PASI is to send all of the participants back home to serve as agents of change. “I am hoping to influence Saint Mary’s University (SMU) in a positive manner, beyond the chemistry department,” she says. “I would love to be able to speak to business students to demonstrate how green chemistry is not only socially and environmentally responsible, but beneficial for the bottom line as well.” Bender is a first-year student in the Master of Applied Science program at SMU. She is currently working in the lab with Jason Clyburne, MCIC, a professor of chemistry and

Canada Research Chair, widely known for his work in the field of green chemistry. Bender received support for travel to Mexico via a number of organizations that included the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research at SMU, the American Chemical Society, the United States Department of Energy, the National Science Foundation, ExxonMobil, and Sigma Aldrich. She became interested in green chemistry during her undergraduate days at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, BC. “We worked with ionic liquids there,” she said. “Part of the appeal of ionic liquids is that they have the potential of being recycled, and hence produce less waste. They also have different reactivity than traditional solvents, so they are interesting chemically as well. Coming from BC, environmental issues and recycling were paramount, so it’s exciting to be able to possibly carry some of those ideals into my career,” she says. She knew SMU would be a good choice to earn her Master of Applied Science degree, which she will complete next year. “The University has several professors with a keen interest in green chemistry and their initiatives have had an influence on the chemistry program,” she says. “This is unique in Atlantic Canada with the next major ‘green’ centre at McGill.” Paul Fitzgerald

october 2007 Canadian Chemical News

News Nouvelles

The Rimbey gas plant, pictured above, is Keyera’s largest gas processing facility and a key energy complex in Alberta.

Alberta’s Feedstock Ethane Supply at a Crossroads Dow Chemical’s feedstock and energy manager, Rob McNeil, gave a presentation on Alberta’s petrochemical feedstock requirements at the recent 2007 petrochemical conference held by the Canadian Energy Research Institute. McNeil outlined the state of the ethane supply to Alberta’s crackers and how it relates to existing and future demand. Current ethane production from the western Canada sedimentary basin is estimated to be around 265,000 barrels per day, but supplies of conventional natural gas from the basin have peaked and are declining. As a result, ethane supplies are also declining at about 2.2 percent per year. To keep the existing ethylene plants operating at capacity and supply any new worldscale crackers, new supplies of ethane will

L’Actualité chimique canadienne octobre 2007

have to come from a number of sources. Government policies could also increase natural gas supplies in the area. A world-scale ethylene plant consumes about 90,000 barrels per day of ethane. The future feedstock picture is clouded by uncertainty regarding gas supplies from the north such as in Alaska and the Mackenzie Valley. Coal bed methane will also dilute the natural gas liquids content in the overall gas supply available for the extraction plants. Conventional sources of ethane will continue to be an important and significant source for the foreseeable future. Improving recovery efficiencies in existing pipeline straddle plants in the system will be a key source, but significant volume will come from the Aux Sable/NOVA extraction plant expected to start up in mid-2010 on the Alliance pipeline. The oil sands will shortly become another important source of ethane supply. In the short term, about 30,000 barrels per day will be available in the Fort Saskatchewan vicinity and from a large bitumen upgrader. By

2015, ethane supplies from the Mackenzie Valley and Alaska will come into the picture. An unforeseen addition to the Alberta supply of ethane and ethylene has resulted from the discontinuation of shipments to Ontario via the Cochin pipeline. McNeil hinted, though, that existing ethane sources may have some difficulty keeping the existing ethylene plants running at full capacity right now. The next step would be to debottleneck the plants to their ultimate production potential. He added that ethane supply is not the only impediment to new derivative plants. Price is an important factor. In the current “short market pricing” environment, it is difficult to increase the volume of ethane unless the price comes down somewhat. Government policies can help gas supplies. McNeil said Dow Chemical has the resources to backstop new ethane extraction and new derivative plants. Alberta’s new incremental ethane extraction policy can help if properly implemented. With industry wide participation, he said, there will be more ethane at competitive prices.

Photo courtesy of Keyera

News Nouvelles The question of how government policies in the area can help secure more gas supplies was also addressed. Three areas were looked at, one being regulatory. The gas industry is said to be overburdened with regulations regarding such matters as the spacing of wells. Other areas for policy change include royalty relief for some new natural gas sources and measures to improve the tight labour market, which is inflating costs. A pipeline route has been chosen and discussions with stakeholders are being initiated. The ethane supply will be sourced from existing raw gas delivered to the Rimbey plant for processing. Keyera has entered into a commercial arrangement outlining the terms for the sale of the ethane from the project to Dow. The project is subject to a number of conditions, including the receipt of regulatory approvals. “With this arrangement, we are able to address our need for long-term, affordable ethane feedstock,” said Jeff Johnston, president of Dow Chemical Canada. “We intend to submit this project as one of the first under consideration under the new Government of Alberta incremental ethane extraction policy,” Johnston noted. The Rimbey gas plant is Keyera’s largest gas processing facility and a key energy complex in west central Alberta. Keyera is the operator of the plant and holds an 86.4 percent ownership interest. With a raw gas processing capacity of 422 million cubic feet per day and 2,500 km of gathering pipelines, the plant’s extensive capture area allows it to provide energy processing services to a large number of producers. The Rimbey plant currently produces sales quality natural gas and specification-grade propane, butane, and condensate. It also produces frac oil and up to 285 tonnes per day of liquid carbon dioxide, both of which are used in the well-servicing industry in Alberta. Camford Chemical Report

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The new facility will use ethanol derived from sugar cane to produce ethylene.

Dow and Crystalsev’s Sweet Deal The Dow Chemical Company and Crystalsev, one of Brazil’s largest ethanol players, have announced plans for a world-scale facility to manufacture polyethylene from sugar cane. Under the terms of a memorandum of understanding, Dow and Crystalsev will create a joint venture in Brazil to design and build the first such integrated facility of its scale in the world. The plant is expected to start production in 2011 and will have a capacity of 350 kt per year. The venture will combine Dow’s leading position in polyethylene with Crystalsev’s know-how and experience in producing ethanol from sugar cane. Output from the plant will meet the needs of Dow’s customers in Brazil, and both companies expect there will be international interest. “We are excited to partner with a great company like Crystalsev to build the first worldscale polyethylene facility that will use a renewable feedstock,” said Andrew Liveris, chair and CEO of Dow.

The new facility will use ethanol derived from sugar cane, an annually renewable resource, to produce ethylene. Ethylene is traditionally produced by cracking petroleum fractions, usually either naphtha or natural gas liquids. It is further expected that the new process will produce significantly less CO2 compared to the traditional polyethylene manufacturing process. The new facility will use Dow’s proprietary Solution technology to manufacture Dowlext polyethylene resins—the world’s leading linear low-density polyethylene. The material offers significant advantages in a range of different applications, including pipes, films, membranes, and food and specialty packaging. At a molecular level, the joint venture’s product will be identical to the Dowlext polyethylene resins manufactured at other Dow facilities. The advantage of this material versus most renewable resource-based plastics is that customers will be using a drop-in replacement made with renewable resources rather than a different polymer. The sugar cane-based polyethylene would also be fully recyclable using the existing infrastructure for traditional polyethylene products. Dow Chemical Company october 2007 Canadian Chemical News

News Nouvelles

The 2008 CJChE sports a new cover designed by CIC’s Krista Leroux.

CJChE Signs On with Wiley-Blackwell The Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering (CSChE) announces that it has signed an agreement with Wiley-Blackwell, a part of global publisher John Wiley & Sons, Inc., to publish The Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering (CJChE) on its behalf. Wiley-Blackwell will assume publishing responsibilities beginning with Volume 86, Number 1, February 2008. The CJChE has been published by the CSChE, a Constituent Society of the Chemical Institute of Canada, since 1957. For scientific and technical journal publishing, the means of distribution has settled into new models, driven in large part by the growth of consortial licensing. The CJChE will be better served by a more efficient and extensive on-line distribution network, particularly as applied to academic and corporate research libraries. To ensure future success, the CJChE must continue to expand its readership, extend its influence, and improve its financial profile. The keys to this success are: growth in institutional licensing; improvement in Impact Factor, ISI ranking, and citation rate; building a high-value global journal brand; attracting a growing international authorship; and publishing the highest quality content in the subject area. To achieve these goals, Wiley-Blackwell will focus on the following

L’Actualité chimique canadienne octobre 2007

initiatives: increasing international awareness and usage; expanding institutional licensing to increase usage and access; increasing article-based revenues; leveraging CJChE backfile; and increasing impact factor. Led by editor Kumar Nandakumar, FCIC, of the department of chemical and materials engineering at the University of Alberta, WileyBlackwell will publish the CJChE in print and on‑line via Wiley InterScience (www. interscience.wiley.com). Wiley-Blackwell will provide on‑line access to select articles in advance of print publication via its Early View service and will launch an extensive backfile initiative to digitize journal content prior to Volume 80. Currently, issues are available online beginning with August 2002. “By utilizing Wiley-Blackwell’s extensive publishing experience to reach a broader audience, as well as to provide electronic access to our historic content, the agreement will further advance our goals of helping professionals remain current with technology and encouraging the development of chemical enterprise,” said David T. Fung, MCIC, chair and CEO of the ACDEG Group of companies and president of the CSChE. Chemical Institute of Canada

CCPA Aims Sky High on Federal Clean Air Agenda Canada’s Chemical Producers’ Association (CCPA) has sent a letter to federal ministers to suggest several key adjustments to the implementation of the clean air regulatory agenda (CARA). The CCPA believes that these suggestions will provide “fresh thinking” to make the regulations more effective and timely in delivering the environmental, health, and economic objectives the government has set. In the area of greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions, the CCPA believes the greenhouse part of the plan can work, but there are several aspects that could be improved and that would help the government better achieve its objectives. The CCPA’s major concern is that the suite of compliance mechanisms provided for by the government is both complex and

more limited than expected. As a result, companies are having difficulty figuring out how they can be in compliance with the proposed regulations. The technology fund was initially considered to be a major safety valve if companies could not meet their GHG reductions, but the current design has dramatically limited its potential as a compliance mechanism, according to the association. If the fund is fixed, the CCPA said the GHG part of CARA can work. Other issues that require attention in the GHG reductions segment include credit for early action. Many in the chemical industry and several provinces (particularly Quebec and Ontario) say it is important to improve credit for early action. Cogeneration is another key to GHG reduction and this will be reviewed. The clean fuels standard relating to GHG emissions for new plants must recognize multiple fuel sources and not be based only on using natural gas. This is putting the competitiveness of the chemical and other sectors at risk. On the air pollutant part of CARA, the association is concerned about the benchmarking process used to set targets. The CCPA recommends that Ottawa consider setting healthbased national ambient air quality standards or objectives for the provinces to achieve and only regulate federally in a “back stop” role if provinces are not doing so. This would be somewhat similar to the U.S. approach. Until new federal standards are developed, existing CCME ambient standards could be used and made mandatory. The third major suggestion is that federal provincial overlap needs to be actively discussed. Given the speed the industry needs to move forward on CARA, both for GHGs and air pollutants, the association says a better bridge needs to be built between what federal and provincial ministers are indicating to industry and what is discussed in implementation details with officials. The fourth major suggestion deals with the accelerated capital cost allowance. The key to reduction of both GHGs and air pollutants is capital investment. With high energy costs, a high dollar, and relentless Asian competition, industry will have difficulty attracting the needed capital to make these investments. For that reason the accelerated capital cost allowance provisions introduced in the federal budget were extremely important. Canada’s Chemical Producers’ Association

News Nouvelles

Members of the ChemCon07 executive from the front: Melissa Milligan, ACIC; Erin MacLean, ACIC; Tammy Messier, ACIC; Matthew Yorke, ACIC. Back: Vlad Zamlynny, MCIC; CSC president Russell Boyd, FCIC; Matthew Jennings; Robyn Jackson, ACIC; Amanda Chaulk, ACIC; and Melanie Edwards, ACIC

APICS/CIC Atlantic Student Chemistry Conference Acadia University hosted the 32nd annual Atlantic Provinces Council on the Sciences/ Chemical Institute of Canada (APICS/CIC) Atlantic Student Chemistry Conference in Wolfville, NS. The conference was attended by over 120 delegates from all over Canada. Each year, these conferences enable university students to share their research projects, exchange innovative ideas, and meet chemistry students from throughout the Maritimes. “This conference offers students the opportunity to listen to regional academic and industry specialists in a variety of informal workshop sessions,” said Erin MacLean, ACIC, conference chair. “We were very pleased to welcome our keynote speakers, Tito Scaiano, FCIC, an organic chemist from the University of Ottawa, and Susan Mikkelsen, a biochemist from the University of Waterloo.” Throughout the weekend, students gave both oral and poster presentations about their research. At the closing banquet held Saturday evening, several special awards

were bestowed. Twenty-two awards were given out in ten categories to students from across Atlantic Canada. Major sponsors of this event included Acadia University, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, the Chemical Education Foundation, the Canadian Society for Chemistry–Atlantic Division, the Canadian Council of University Chemistry Chairs, the Canadian Society for Chemistry, CIC chemical education fund, Merck Frosst, Sepracor Canada Ltd., CEM Corporation, and Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd. In 2008, the 33rd Annual APICS/CIC Atlantic Student Chemistry Conference will be held in Halifax, NS, and hosted by St. Mary’s University. Erin MacLean, ACIC

Code to Advance Hydrogen in Canada A new hydrogen installation code heralds a new era for the advancement of the hydrogen economy in Canada, according to the Bureau de normalisation du Québec (BNQ). The new code is a comprehensive document defining the installation requirements of different types

of hydrogen installations. Until now, hydrogen installations could only be put in place following approval by the competent authority under an exemption procedure—a tedious process for both the owner of the hydrogen installation and the regulatory authority. Published by the BNQ as a national standard of Canada, the Canadian hydrogen installation code (CHIC) [CAN/BNQ 1784-000] will help pave the way for a greater use of hydrogen as an energy carrier by guiding safe design and facilitating the approval process of hydrogen installations across Canada. “Working together with stakeholders, we can help make hydrogen the fuel of the future,” said Randy Dey of the CCS Global Group, who chairs the technical committee that developed this new document. “The CHIC, which is the first of its kind, fills a gap and provides Canadian industry and regulatory authorities with a much needed tool for use with hydrogen installations.” The need for such a code had been recognized from the outset by the governments of Canada and Quebec, which both sponsored the development of the new code. The new code is expected to facilitate the commercialization of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. The sponsors also hope it will help build consumer confidence in the use of hydrogen as a clean, safe source of energy. The CHIC defines the installation requirements of hydrogen refilling stations that dispense gaseous hydrogen, whether the hydrogen is produced on-site by water electrolysis or natural gas reforming or delivered by truck in a liquid or a gaseous form. It also provides the guidelines for the installation of fuel cells and internal combustion engines that provide emergency or back-up power to commercial buildings and residential homes. It has been approved by the interprovincial gas advisory council (IGAC) that represents 14 federal, provincial, and 14 territorial regulatory authorities across Canada. Bureau de normalisation du Québec

Question?

Patent

patentquest@accn.ca

october 2007 Canadian Chemical News

News Nouvelles

CIC Energy Division to Launch at 57th CSChE Conference Under the umbrella of the Chemical Institute of Canada (CIC), the Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering (CSChE) is leading the initiative to establish an Energy Division. This is particularly important at a time when Canada’s energy future holds much promise as well as many challenges. Energy themes have long been a part of CSChE annual conferences, and so the establishment of an Energy Division gives a formal structure to an emphasis that has been growing for some time. With members across government, industry, and academia, the CIC and its constituent bodies are well positioned to play a role in the dissemination of energy research, in technology assessment and in policy development. It is hoped that the Division will appeal broadly to members involved in the full range of energy themes from cleaner fossil fuels, next generation nuclear, to alternative fuels

L’Actualité chimique canadienne octobre 2007

and energy efficiency. The Division’s mandate will be to address any facet of energy in which chemists, chemical engineers, and chemical technologists play an important role. This means that energy conservation and sustainability in chemical plants will also be a focus, in view of the greenhouse gas emissions reductions, as well as criteria air contaminant (NOx, SOx, VOC, PM) caps that will be expected of industry by the Federal Clean Air Act. This is a broad mandate for the Energy Division. The underlying reasons for bringing members of diverse backgrounds together are the common interest in environmental sustainability and the concern that greenhouse gases (GHGs) are a major factor causing climate change. Canada’s contribution to the overall global GHG emissions is small, but on a percapita basis, Canada appears to be a serious offender with carbon emissions of 4.88 metric tons per person, compared to the average Western European rate of 2.05, and 0.66 for Latin America (2003). Some of this has to do with the cost of heating our homes and institutions in winter, and of moving people and goods across our country. From 1990 to 2005, CO2 emissions attributed to the transportation sector increased by 33 percent, while those for institutional and residential use rose by 38 percent overall as the Canadian population increased by 16 percent. These factors are beyond the mandate of the CIC, although it might be said that chemists made a contribution to population planning a few decades ago. One important reason for high GHG emissions, which decidedly fits within the CIC’s mandate, is the resource-based and energy-intensive nature of the Canadian economy. GHG emissions by industry account for about 33 percent, and the fossil fuels industries account for another 17 percent, for a total of 47 percent of the Canadian total of 747 Mt. In recent years,

much of this has been driven by the exportdriven fossil fuels industry, which from 1990 to 2005 increased emissions by 46 percent, including fugitive emissions. If energy exports are to continue, and if Canadian governments intend in the long run to enforce real absolute decreases in GHG emissions, then a strategy for offsetting contributions from alternative energy sources and industrial conservation needs to be developed. Clearly we hope for solutions that improve on the pulp and paper model, where emissions were cut by 46 percent through plant closures. It is here that the CIC and its members will make their strongest contribution. Through collaborations in research and development among its members, drawn from industry, academia, and government, the CIC hopes to play an increased role in the dissemination of energy research, in technology assessment, and in policy development that will address issues of human health, environmental footprint, and economic prosperity. The Energy Division will be formally launched at the CSChE’s 57th Canadian Chemical Engineering Conference in Edmonton, AB, October 28 to 31, 2007. We invite you to visit www.csche2007.ca and to join us in Edmonton, AB. Allan F. Gilbert, CSChE director of subject divisions, 2005–2007 Milena Sejnoha, CSChE vice-president, 2006–2007

RSC Celebrates 125 Years The Royal Society of Canada (RSC): The Academies of Arts, Humanities, and Sciences of Canada, one of the founding members of the Council of Canadian Academies, is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year. A special dinner was held May 25, 2007 on Parliament Hill to celebrate the 125th anniversary of its very first meeting held May 25, 1882. A major dinner will also be held in Toronto on October 17. The RSC, the country’s oldest and most prestigious scholarly organization, came into being in 1882 at the initiative of the Marquess of Lorne, Ninth Duke of Argyll, who was Governor General. Its first meeting took place in Ottawa with McGill University principal William Dawson as president. The

News Nouvelles Society’s primary objectives remain to promote learning and recognize remarkable contributions. Virtually alone among national academies around the world, the RSC embraces academies of arts and humanities, social sciences, and natural and applied sciences. Under the continued patronage of the Governor General as Honorary Patron, the RSC promotes and expands the founders’ intentions. It has welcomed institutional members, which include all major Canadian universities, and together they sponsor forums on important issues of policy and ethics. International research partnerships are part of the RSC’s broad and multi-disciplinary outlook. As a founding academy of the Council of Canadian Academies, the RSC is a supportive, collaborative presence on expert panel assessments. Through its representation on the Council’s Scientific Advisory Committee and Board of Governors, the RSC influences the selection of assessment topics, assessment process standards and final approvals. As a vital contributor to Canadian scholarly and cultural life, the RSC continues to build on its impressive traditions. Council of Canadian Academies

Quest

Patent

Lawyer and patent agent, Daphne C. Lainson, MCIC, answers your questions on patenting your discoveries. Send your questions to patentquest@accn.ca.

Q: I have been part of a team studying new ways of delivering drugs to patients, and, in particular, drugs that have low oral bioavailability. We have surprisingly found that some of these drugs may be delivered in the mouth when formulated as a chewing gum. This has tremendous potential for delivering these drugs to children. Can we protect this by a patent?

First Canadian woman in space, Roberta Bondar.

Bondar on Benefits of Biotech Roberta Bondar, the first Canadian woman in space, delivered her “Message from MaRS,” sharing stories of the value, benefits, and unique contributions biotechnology has made to our everyday lives. These noteworthy improvements included innovative medical treatments that ease the burden of disease. Canadian companies are fine-tuning a way to produce commercial quantities of human insulin from genetically modified safflower plants, to increase access to treatment by diabetes patients worldwide. Bondar poses above with safflowers at the same desk Banting and Best administered the first insulin injection in 1922. Biotecanada

Photo courtesy of CNW Group

A: Almost anything under the sun can be patented in Canada, providing that what you have invented is new, is not an obvious improvement over what was known before, and is useful. Assuming that these requirements are met, you can likely protect your invention in a number of different ways by writing claims that would encompass the various aspects of what you have made. It is the claims of a patent that define the monopoly. For instance, you could claim your invention as a chewing gum containing the drug. You could also claim a method of making the gum, and a claim to the use of the gum for delivering the drug to a patient. You could even claim a pack of the gum. However, what you cannot claim in Canada is a method of chewing the gum. The Canadian Patent Office will not permit you to obtain a patent claiming a method of medical treatment. Similar laws prevent this type of claiming in a number of other countries as well. Not so in the U.S., however, where even chewing your gum (although perhaps not blowing bubbles) could be protected. Daphne C. Lainson, MCIC, is a lawyer and patent agent with the law firm Smart & Biggar in Ottawa, ON. Smart & Biggar is Canada’s largest firm practising exclusively in intellectual property and technology law. Disclaimer: The preceding is intended as informational only, and does not constitute professional advice.

october 2007 Canadian Chemical News

Chemfusion Joe Schwarcz, MCIC

he young man’s history of visual and auditory hallucinations caused his family great concern. He told his mother that he had swallowed rat poison to get rid of rats in his body after seeing one in his stool. Physicians found no sign of poisoning, but the family, with support from a social worker, insisted that admission to a psychiatric hospital was warranted. The situation went from bad to worse. The patient stopped responding to stimuli and soon lapsed into a coma. A CT scan showed swelling of his brain that intensified during the next couple of days, and in spite of all efforts, he passed away. On autopsy, remnants of bromethalin (a rodent poison) were detected in his brain and liver. A search of the man’s home revealed bait impregnated with bromethalin. It seems the young man was serious about ridding himself of rats. His was a tragic story, and just one of thousands of fatalities reported every year to Poison Control Centres across North America. And it is not the only one that involves bromethalin. The brightly coloured baits, which have a food-like flavours and fragrances, are often placed underneath radiators, near ovens, refrigerators, or trash containers. Children and pets can easily access these places— sometimes with catastrophic results. One of the roles of Poison Control Centres is to try to prevent such tragedies by asking physicians to report any cases that might involve poisoning of any sort. The centres also log

10 L’Actualité chimique canadienne octobre 2007

and categorize all calls they receive directly from the public. The intent is to identify poisoning hazards and try to eliminate them. Millions of calls are received every year, essentially in two broad categories. There are “information” calls seeking advice about the identity of a medication, about drug abuse, drug-drug interactions, food-drug interactions, or the safety of household products. But the bulk of calls are of the “exposure” variety. These range from concerns about exposure to potential toxins even when no immediate symptoms are apparent, to life-threatening situations after exposure to a known or unknown toxin. Unfortunately, despite the toxicological expertise of the health care professionals who receive the calls at the Poison Control Centres, the outcome is sometimes disastrous. But bringing some of these cases to the public’s attention can potentially avert similar tragedies. Picking wild mushrooms can be a dangerous business, as a 56-year-old man discovered. Cooking and eating the fungi he had picked in a forest landed him in an emergency room with nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting the next day. Doctors called a mycologist who questioned the patient and identified the mushroom as the aptly named “death angel,” or Amanita bisporigera, which contains the heat-stable toxin alpha-amanitin capable of destroying the liver. After about three days, there is commonly a remission of symptoms, but it is a false remission. The patient was informed of this and told that his only hope was a liver transplant, but since he was feeling better, he refused to be listed for an urgent transplant. He died of liver failure two months after ingesting the mushrooms, which have been described as being very tasty. Just goes to show that you can’t judge toxicity by taste. And you clearly can’t judge toxicity by whether a substance is natural or not. Witness the case of a four-year-old girl who was given a homemade herbal tea for fever and constipation by her grandmother. She also ended up in liver failure. A sample of the plant used was identified as Senecio longilobus, known to contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids that are highly toxic to the liver. As in the case of “death angel,” the outcome was fatal. Drugs are a prime cause of toxic reactions, usually due to improper use or medical errors. An elderly lady succumbed to a blood disorder brought on by methotrexate, a medication used to treat cancer or rheumatoid arthritis. The physician had actually prescribed

meclizine to treat the patient’s dizziness, but the pharmacist misread the prescription. Even the proper prescription can, of course, be misused. A 22‑year-old woman suffered from excessive body hair due to an adrenal gland problem and decided to try laser hair removal. Since the procedure can be somewhat painful, her physician instructed her to apply a local anesthetic in the form of lidocaine cream from her toes to her waist and to wrap herself in cellophane to increase the drug’s effect. On her way to the clinic, she had a seizure and passed out. She was transported to hospital but died a week later of lidocaine overdose. And speaking of overdose, how about the case of the prisoner who gulped down a handful of haloperidol (an anti-psychotic) pills, about 100 nortriptyline (anti-depressant) pills, and followed this with a chaser of 30 aspirin tablets? Why? He told the prison clinic staff that he wanted to be sent to the psychiatry unit because they have turkey on Thanksgiving and the prison does not. The man refused attempts to wash out his stomach and administer charcoal to prevent absorption of the drugs. He never got to eat his turkey dinner or any other dinner—ever. Sadly, many of the poisonings reported to Poison Control Centres are suicides, and insecticides are commonly used. Paramedics were called when a 23-year-old student lost consciousness, and they found a bottle of sodium sulfur arsenate nearby. Despite the administration of British anti-Lewisite, a classic arsenic antidote, he died. So did a man who had been spraying the organophosphate insecticide malathion around his yard and spilled some in an enclosed garage. He tried to clean up the spill but soon started to feel sick. He was taken to emergency where the usual drugs used to treat organophosphate poisoning—atropine and pralidoxime—were administered. All to no avail. This is just a smattering of the thousands of fatalities reported every year to Poison Control Centres. And the really tragic part of all of this is that most of these deaths are preventable.

Popular science writer, 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 on the Web at www.CJAD.com. You can contact him at joe.schwarcz@mcgill.ca.

Chemical Shifts How Curved is Your Surface—Peptides Tell All

elf-assembled monolayers on flat gold surfaces have been well studied for a variety of molecules. One of the unique features of these assemblies is that even weak inter-chain interactions can control the packing of, for example, alkyl thiols, into an almost crystalline array. However, everything changes when the surfaces are curved, as they are in the case of gold nanoparticles. In a recent communication published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society 127 (2007), 6356–6357, chemistry professor and Canada Research Chair in biomaterials, Heinz-Bernhard Kraatz, MCIC, described an in-depth study of the sensitivity of peptide monolayers to the size and structure of the gold surface to which they are attached. In their study, co-authored by graduate student Himadri S. Mandal, MCIC, the University of Saskatoon team showed that even small changes in the size of the nanoparticles to which the peptides are bound can have a dramatic effect on the secondary structures of the peptides. Kraatz and Mandal chose a peptide containing 16 amino acid residues with a leucine-rich core as a small-molecule mimic of larger peptides. The 16 aa peptide is hydrophobic and tends to adopt an α-helical conformation. A thiol-containing cysteine residue at the N-terminus provides the point for anchoring to the gold surfaces. In order to probe the structure of the peptide when bound to the different surfaces, the team examined the amide 1 (carbonyl) and amide A (NH) resonances in the IR spectra, which are indicative of the secondary structure of the peptide. When adsorbed on a flat gold surface, the amide stretch is

indicative of an α-helical structure similar to that observed in the free state. However, everything changes when things get nano. On gold nanoparticles that are 5 nm in diameter, the IR spectrum changes completely, indicating that as much as 78 percent of the peptide takes up a β-sheet structure. As the size of the nanoparticles increases, the IR spectrum becomes more and more like that on a smooth gold surface. At 10 nm, 48 percent of the peptide assumes a β-sheet structure, and at 20 nm, the spectrum indicates reversion of the peptide to its original α-helical arrangement (see Figure 1). Kraatz and Mandal rationalize these effects by considering the detailed structure of the gold nanoparticles, which are actually polyhedra possessing edges, corners, and faces. As the size of the nanoparticle decreases, the relative proportion of the more reactive edge and corner sites increases. The thiol-terminated peptides aggregate at these more reactive sites, in a more dense arrangement than observed on a pure flat face, which drives the secondary structure to assume the β-sheet orientation. As the degree of curvature of the surface decreases, the more reactive gold sites also decrease in number, and the larger gold nanoparticles assume more of a flat-surface-like structure and reactivity. Since the secondary structure of proteins and peptides is a critical component of their bioactivity, and since peptidecoated nanoparticles are used in a variety of diagnostic and imaging techniques, this study is likely to have a significant impact on chemistry and biology. The Kraatz group will likely continue to unravel these effects in their new home at The University of Western Ontario.

Picking the Right Key with Microwave Spectroscopy

hen Emil Fischer introduced the concept of “lock and key” to describe the interaction of an enzyme with a substrate, he had coined a phrase that has since been used as a metaphor by researchers in enzymology, supramolecular chemistry, and self-assembly. Molecular recognition—and especially chiral recognition—is a central concept in molecular biology and many fields of organic chemistry, and is frequently thought to be dominated by steric hindrance (perhaps taking Fischer’s metaphor a little too literally). Nicole Borho and Yunjie Xu, MCIC, from the University of Alberta (U of A) quantified chiral interactions using high resolution microwave spectroscopy combined with ab initio calculations. Their model system consisted of propylene oxide and ethanol. Propylene oxide is chiral and rigid and can be understood as the “lock” in Fischer’s analogy. Although ethanol, the “key,” is achiral, it has two chiral conformers (gauche) corresponding to the orientation of the methyl group with respect to the O–H bond, and one achiral (trans) conformer (see Figure 2). Thus ethanol can orient itself in 6 different ways with respect to each of the 2 enantiomers of propylene oxide,

Figure 2. The two chiral gauche conformers of ethanol and one achiral, trans conformer

0.00 kJmol-1

0.24 kJmol-1

Figure 1. Schematic diagrams of the conformation of the peptide Ac-KTAL10NPC-NH2: (a) in free state; (b) on 5 nm gold nanoparticles; (c) on 10 nm nanoparticles; (d) 20 nm nanoparticles; and (e) on a flat gold surface

0.26 kJmol-1

0.50 kJmol-1

0.29 kJmol-1

0.61 kJmol-1

Figure 3. The six conformers of the ethanolpropylene oxide complex and their calculated relative energy

october 2007 Canadian Chemical News 11

for a total of 12 structures, forming 6 pairs of enantiomers. In their March 2007 cover article in Angewandte Chemie International Edition 46 (2007), 2276, the U of A researchers show that using enantiomerically pure (R) propylene oxide, each of the 6 conformers is “frozen out” in their molecular beam and can be observed by their distinct rotational spectrum (see Figure 3). The line intensity observed for each conformer points to their relative stability providing an energetic ordering. From this ordering, Borho and Xu concluded that the secondary hydrogen bond between the propylene oxide methyl group and the ethanol oxygen atom is the dominant influence on the stability of the complex. These weak interactions are very difficult to model and it would appear as if a very high level of theory is needed to describe molecular recognition to that level.

Organic Molecular Magnets Leave the Glove Box

n the not too distant future, we may be using organic magnets to pin shopping lists to the refrigerator. The advantage of organic magnets is that they can be made

into a variety of sizes and shapes controlled by simple solution-based casting methods. However, the very few organic radicals that are stable enough to become magnets are typically air and moisture sensitive and stop behaving as magnets at temperatures above a few tens of Kelvins. Recently, University of Victoria’s Robin Hicks, MCIC, and post-doc Rajsapan Jain, as well as post-doc Khayrul Kabir, grad student Joe B. Gilroy, MCIC, and collaborators Keith A. R. Mitchell, FCIC, and Kin-chung Wong from The University of British Columbia have discovered a new class of molecules that exhibit magnetic behaviour far above room temperature (Nature 445 (2007), 291). In contrast to previously reported molecular magnets, their compounds have an unusual 2:1 metal to ligand ratio and also are comparably stable at ambient conditions. The materials were prepared by reaction of the ligands 1-3 with bis(1,5-cyclooctadiene) nickel under an argon atmosphere. Exposure of the resulting intermediate to air and humidity then led to the amorphous product (see Figure 4). Infrared spectroscopy showed that in the product the ligands are present as radical anions, while X-ray photoelectron measurements showed that nickel is in its (+2) oxidation state. This means the magnetism cannot arise simply from elemental nickel,

itself a ferromagnet. The team found that all three compounds show spontaneous magnetization and a distinctive hysteresis when exposed to a changing external magnetic field—indicative of long-range magnetic ordering, not unlike inorganic magnets.

Figure 4.

Figure 5. Organic magnetic materials beat gravity.

Cathleen Crudden, MCIC, and Hans-Peter Loock, MCIC, are both associate professors of chemistry at Queen’s University in Kingston, ON.

ACCN 2008

January Economics and Business Management February Careers in the Chemical Professions March Students and the Public Understanding of Chemistry April Chemistry in Art May Research June Sports July/August The Changing Face of the Chemical Enterprise September Geochemistry October Climate Change November/December Genetics

Submit your ideas to editorial@accn.ca 12 L’Actualité chimique canadienne octobre 2007

october 2007 Canadian Chemical Newsâ&#x20AC;&#x201A; 13

The Critical Link

Process safety leadership is essential to successful plant operation.

Brian D. Kelly, MCIC

n the twenty years since Process Safety Management (PSM) was adopted by leading chemical corporations worldwide, a lot of developments have occurred. While the benefits of a PSM framework should be obvious to seasoned safety professionals, major catastrophic incidents are still occurring, and these generally trace their roots to gaps in PSM. None of these gaps is more significant than the failure to provide clear leadership and support from the top of an organization. In today’s global economy, the focus has shifted to asset integrity, profits, and shareholder value. Ironically, these outcomes are closely aligned to successful PSM, but the synergies in management processes are seldom recognized. An incident-free operation is a profitable one. Process safety must be managed consistently across corporate and

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geographic boundaries. This requires strong leadership and commitment from the top. Senior plant management has a responsibility to communicate consistent priorities down through an operating organization and to ensure that those priorities are understood and followed by workers at all levels. Process safety is one of those priorities. Unlike occupational safety, process safety addresses loss of containment events that could harm large numbers of people and cause substantial economic, property, and environmental damage. Although process safety and occupational safety share common values, the two must not be confused. Process safety involves the prevention of leaks, spills, equipment failures, and other upset conditions and it must be supported with specialized resources. Furthermore, a high level of discipline

is required if PSM initiatives are to achieve their intended purpose. PSM discipline is best achieved through strong leadership and trust rather than mere enforcement. On occasion, production cuts and other sacrifices may need to be taken when process safety concerns are evident. Too many companies are obsessed with low occupational injury statistics that do not necessarily reflect a safe operation. Inappropriate or misinterpreted metrics may undermine a company’s efforts to continuously improve and this can set the stage for a major incident. Short-term successes in occupational

safety must not be allowed to interfere with the goals of process safety excellence. In Canada, PSM has not been applied in a prescriptive manner. It evolved in the late 1980s through the Responsible Care® initiative that was pioneered by the Canadian Chemical Producers’ Association. Many companies adopted their own PSM practices based on successes elsewhere. Ultimately, in 2004, the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (200) regulation took effect requiring plant operations to implement controls to deal with the accidental release of hazardous materials. This regulation, of course, is triggered by defined threshold quantities of specified substances. While there are subtle differences between PSM frameworks, they all hinge upon the successful engagement of personnel within an organization to do certain things. Common PSM elements include: 1. leadership and accountability; 2. process safety information; 3. process risk management; 4. management of change; 5. operating procedures; 6. safe work practices; 7. training and competency; 8. process and equipment integrity; 9. emergency preparedness; 10. pre-startup safety review; 11. incident reporting and investigation; 12. process safety audits. Despite its position at the top of the list, the requirements of leadership are not well defined. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration 1910.119 regulation in the U.S. merely cites the requirement to involve workers in all key PSM activities. Sometimes this happens without informing area managers of the challenges that lie ahead. Given organization downsizing, redesign, and mergers that have occurred in recent times, coupled with the fact that responsibilities have increased, the requirements of good PSM leadership are more onerous than ever before. An organization chart should be drawn up with clear PSM responsibilities and accountabilities for all workers. Communication interfaces must be defined with established timelines for critical information exchange. Plant operating upsets and emergency contingencies should be tested against the organization structure to ensure that there are no gaps or inconsistencies. Finally, formal PSM audits must be conducted

on a routine basis and should include a measure of the overall effectiveness of leadership. In today’s business environment, senior leaders are sometimes given stock options and salary bonuses related to output. These incentives must not override the commitment to process safety. Over time, PSM will improve system integrity in many areas and will deliver strong financial results. Leadership should not be confused with conventional management. While the two may co-exist, leadership is more of a desired behaviour than a set of skills. Management means doing things right; leadership means doing the right things. Management tends to focus on logistics and financial priorities. Leadership, on the other hand, promotes excellence from within the work team. This requires getting into the trenches and learning about the important issues first hand. When trust and credibility are established, a leader can exert influence and move an organization to a new level of performance. Strong leadership believes in the mission and helps to achieve it. It focuses more on helping followers and subordinates than on impressing higher levels of management. Strong leadership does not collapse in the path of obstacles nor does it surrender to budget cuts which can have an adverse effect on safety. Leadership does not look for excuses; it looks for opportunities. Leadership might reside at several levels within a large organization. Often, only one of those leaders carries a PSM designation in his or her job title. However, if PSM is to work, all leaders must be viewed as PSM leaders. They must work in harmony with one another and must convey a consistent message. All leaders are expected to take process safety considerations into account when making operating decisions.

Brian Kelly, MCIC, 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, AB, and continues his active involvement in the process safety community in both Canada and the U.S. He is also a part-time project consultant for the Center for Chemical Process Safety of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers.

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Questionnaire The following questionnaire is intended to stimulate the collection of information and help with an initial assessment of the leadership element:

1. Has a plant organization chart been developed that clearly shows reporting relationships between all persons on the plant site? Has it been widely distributed? 2. D oes the organization chart recognize and address emergency and upset conditions? 3. D o formal job descriptions exist for all persons and do they reflect PSM activities? 4. A re roles and responsibilities clearly defined for all persons with respect to PSM activities and are they mutually supportive? 5. A re adequate resources available to support the PSM requirements? Are they consistent with the size and complexity of the plant? 6. I s there an edict that requires all personnel to follow established protocols, practices, and procedures? Is there a mechanism to enforce this compliance? 7. I s formal documentation and training available to support a successful PSM initiative? 8. I s there a formal system that communicates management expectations to the organization as well as results achieved from the field level? Does it reflect leading indicators? 9. I s there an initiative that encourages leaders and managers to visit the field on a frequent basis to interact with employees? 10. I s strong leadership recognized and rewarded within the organization? The position of PSM within an operating organization may have a significant impact on its effectiveness. PSM activities should be closely aligned with operating functions and integrated into the job functions of plant personnel. However, leaders directly responsible for PSM should have a direct reporting relationship to the senior site manager to avoid priority conflicts with plant operations. Some organizations have chosen to incorporate PSM into an existing health and safety function. This is a reasonable strategy given that both types of safety share a common set of values. Such integration will only work if PSM is supported with specialized technology and resources that address chemical process hazards. Among these are risk management and hazard evaluation. A strong leader will ensure that the activities within PSM are fully utilized and practiced for the benefit of all. PSM must be reinforced by all leaders, especially when positive results appear imminent. PSM is not the end but only the beginning of how plants should be operated. Although the effort may appear overwhelming at the start, PSM will result in fewer spills, fewer fires, fewer plant upsets, and increased profits. PSM must reside high on the scale of priorities if large scale incidents are to be avoided and if the business is to remain successful.

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october 2007 Canadian Chemical Newsâ&#x20AC;&#x201A; 17

Jumpin’ Flashback Air Liquide Canada Inc. develops safer equipment and gas delivery solutions.

cetylene is an unstable hydrocarbon that must be handled with care. For over 100 years, it has been the number one choice, worldwide, for welding, cutting, brazing, and heating. The oxyacetylene process is still one of the best techniques available for many applications. Thus, it is very important to respect all safety measures and applicable regulations when using, transporting, or storing this gas. Respecting the correct rules-of-use and the safety measures that exist in each country and province, and using the equipment safely, depends on the worker’s knowledge, ability, and professional training. The apparatus is now easier to use and safer than ever thanks to major innovations introduced by gas equipment manufacturers, and the oxyacetylene flame (oxygen and acetylene combined) remains one of the most convenient methods for welding and cutting steel. Advantages include low cost and portability compared to other techniques, particularly electrical processes.

Beware of backfire and flashback The use of oxygen and acetylene gases presents a number of potential hazards including high pressure, flammability, asphyxiation, and oxygen enrichment. Among possible occurrences, the flame can momentarily burn back into the torch tip and make a loud popping sound. This is called a “backfire.” Occasionally, the flame relights by itself and the worker can continue working, but at other times the

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Tom Dixon

flame does not relight and torch valves should be shut off immediately. A backfire is normally caused by using the wrong tip pressures, by overheating the torch, or by touching the tip to the workpiece. A persistent high-pitched squealing sound with sparks issuing from the tip indicates a more serious backfire that can create an explosive situation. The flame has entered the tip and continues to burn inside the torch at the gas mixing point. It is extremely important to shut the oxygen valve off first, as quickly as possible, then to shut the fuel gas valve to prevent damage to the torch. Before attempting to relight, make sure the torch has cooled and verify the complete set-up. An improper working pressure or defective equipment can be the cause of sustained backfire. A “flashback” can occur when lighting the torch if a mixture of oxygen and fuel gas is present in the system. In this case, the flame burns so fast that the user has no time to shut the torch valves before it passes through the torch and into the hose. The most feared consequences of a flashback are either the bursting of hoses or that the burning progresses back to the regulators and cylinders. To avoid flashbacks, it is mandatory to purge the hose lines, one at a time, to make sure there is no mixed gas in the hoses before lighting the flame. To protect yourself, check valves and flashback arrestors should be installed on your equipment. A check valve will help prevent the formation of an explosive gas mixture and a flashback arrestor will stop the flame if a flashback does occur. They are a great way to prevent accidents. Different provinces in Canada have different regulations

specifying where these safety devices shall be located. Some require installation at the regulator outlet, while others require them at the torch inlet. Be sure to check your local requirements.

A new type of cylinder Dedicated to safety, Air Liquide has developed Altop and Minitop. These unique products are, arguably, some of the most significant innovation and technical advancement in cylinders designed for the welding industry in the past 75 years. They are simply the safest oxygen and acetylene cylinders on the market. Traditionally, regulators have been separate devices that are installed onto the cylinder valve outlet. They are often found in bad conditions that can lead to accidents. Air Liquide has developed a new type of regulator that is integrated with the cylinder valve. Designated Altop for large size cylinders and Minitop for small cylinders, these regulator/valve combinations come with the cylinder, forming a complete package. Each time an Altop or Minitop cylinder is returned for refill, it is verified at the filling plant. users no longer need to provide and maintain their own regulators. Of course, all the important safety rules and instructions still apply when it comes to operating torches, tips, and accessory devices with Altop and Minitop cylinders. Altop and Minitop cylinders make transportation between jobs much safer and more convenient. Their designs incorporate built-in protective caps that remain permanently in place. Valve protective caps are mandatory when transporting cylinders to prevent any damage to the valve. A major leak from a damaged valve could turn a compressed gas cylinder into a rocket. Just try to imagine an oxygen cylinder with an inside pressure of over 2,200 pounds per square inch! With standard cylinders, this means you must remove your regulators from the cylinders to install the safety caps before you move them. This takes time and, in the long run, increases the risk of contaminating or damaging the regulator while it is not installed on the cylinder. Other unique features of Altop and Minitop make them safer and easier to use. Both have a built-in gauge to tell you how much gas remains in the cylinder. This can be very reassuring when on a remote jobsite. Altop also has a built-in delivery pressure gauge, while Minitop has a calibrated delivery pressure-adjusting knob. To control the flow of gas there is an ON/OFF lever that makes it easy to shut your torch down for a few minutes without losing your pressure settings. Simply flip the lever back to ON and the flow starts up again. Altop also incorporates a reverse-flow check valve in its outlet hose connection fitting and has an ergonomically designed knob on the top of its protective cap to facilitate rolling the cylinder. Minitop can easily be picked up and moved by its built-in carrying handle. With Altop and Minitop, all you have to do is hook up your hoses and torch and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re ready to go! The Air Liquide R&D team has been addressing the needs of welders for over 100 years in order to create safer equipment and gas delivery solutions. The use of new cylinders such as these will contribute to safer working conditions and a reduced number of accidents in the welding industry.

Tom Dixon is program development manager of flame and cutting processes at Air Liquide Canada Inc.

october 2007 Canadian Chemical Newsâ&#x20AC;&#x201A; 19

Guiding Light

glow-in-the-dark material improves building evacuations.

20 L’Actualité chimique canadienne octobre 2007

Photo reprinted with permission from the National Research Council Canada

he National Research Council Canada (NRC) and Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) pooled their resources to test the effectiveness of a new fire safety system at a two-tower, 11-storey federal office building in downtown Ottawa, ON. The C. D. Howe Building was selected for this study where an unannounced evacuation drill was carried out under emergency lighting conditions. An experimental design was established for the four identical, windowless, stairwells of the building. Twelve minutes later, thousands of workers were safely out of the high-rise. The point of the drill was to study the use of photoluminescent material (PLM) in the stairs, signs, floors, and handrails in various stairwells of the building. PLM glows in the dark and can help occupants safely evacuate a building without light or filled with dense smoke. The material stores energy from natural and artificial light and becomes highly visible in darkness. Until now, different installations of photoluminescent wayguidance systems had never been tested with large groups of people during an evacuation. During the surprise fire drill, employees were videotaped descending the stairs to help the research team measure their movement, speed, and ability to find destinations. As one of the largest building owners in Canada, PWGSC has a vested interest in research into human behaviour during an evacuation. With thousands of employees working in hundreds of buildings across the country, the development of improved safety guidelines for evacuations is a priority. Video cameras were used to gather behavioural and time data on the floors and in the four stairwells during the evacuation. The evacuees’ behaviour, the speed of their movement, and their subjective appraisal of the material were encouraging. “From the results of an earlier evacuation study in 1998, we knew that photoluminescent wayguidance systems had potential to improve occupant safety in life-threatening situations,” explains Garnet Strong, director general of professional and technical programs of PWGSC’s Real Property Branch. “The objective of this project was to find an optimum PLM configuration in order to develop a standard installation practice, hopefully leading to a national standard.” NRC fire researchers have built a world-class reputation for their work in human behaviour during fire emergencies. They were invited to participate in the investigations following the World Trade Center bomb attack in 1993, where thousands of evacuees had to descend in stairwells of total darkness. Following their recommendations, PLM was installed in all the stairwells of the complex and proved invaluable during the 2001 attacks. The NRC/PWGSC research team has analyzed the data collected during the Ottawa office building fire drill and results will be used to establish federal standards for PLM installations that are efficient in guiding occupants out of high-rise buildings. For a full copy of the research report entitled, “Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Different Photoluminescent Stairwell Installations for the Evacuation of Office Building Occupants,” visit http://irc.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/ pubs/rr/rr232/.

Reprinted with permission from Doing Business, Public Works and Government Services Canada

A stairwell demonstrates the effectiveness of photoluminescent wayguidance systems.

october 2007 Canadian Chemical News 21

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october 2007 Canadian Chemical Newsâ&#x20AC;&#x201A; 23

Safety at Play There’s more fun to be had when chemistry gets in the game.

ne would hardly expect being knocked unconscious by a foreign object to become a cherished memory. Except when that object happens to be a soccer ball rocketing off the boot of the most famous player in the world. And therein lies a story. A story that begins with the greatest soccer team ever assembled, the Hungarian national team of the early 1950s. The “Magnificent Magyars” led by the incomparable Ferenc Puskas put together a string of 32 consecutive international victories, a feat that has never been matched. In 1953, they stunned England 6–3 right in Wembley stadium—the first time England had ever been beaten at home by a European side. In the rematch in Budapest, England was embarrassed by a stunning score of 7–1. Little surprise that just about everyone conceded the 1954 World Cup, to be held in Switzerland, to the “Golden Team.” On the way to Switzerland, the team stopped for a training session in Sopron, the town where I was born. My father somehow managed to get us into the practice game, and we were actually allowed to watch from an area beside one of the goals. I don’t remember much about the game. Like everyone else, I was focused on Puskas, whose powerful left foot had beaten opposing international goalies 84 times in 85 games. This time though, he missed the net. But he didn’t miss my head! I remember the ball coming towards me, and then the next thing I recall is being helped to a bench, and then into a taxi. The next day was another memorable one. My father came home with a present. A soccer ball! Puskas had sent it, he told me, as a souvenir of the “event.” Frankly, I think my father bought the ball, but I worshipped it nevertheless.

24 L’Actualité chimique canadienne octobre 2007

Joe Schwarcz, MCIC That ball was nothing like the balls being kicked about today. It was made of leather panels stitched together, with a slit through which a rubber bladder had been stuffed inside. The bladder was inflated with a pump, tied up, and the opening laced shut like a shoe. As I recall, there were a couple of problems with this ball. When it got wet, it became very heavy from the water that was absorbed by the leather. Even worse, after a few months of play, it began to lose its round shape and started to look more like an egg than a ball. To us, none of this mattered much. After all, we had a ball to play with. And what a ball! One that had (maybe) been touched by the great Puskas! At the time I didn’t realize that this ball was already a product of a great deal of evolution. The ancient Chinese kicked around a leather ball stuffed with animal hair and cork, and sometime in the Middle Ages, the British made the first inflatable bouncing ball. Actually, whether it is appropriate to call an inflated pig bladder a “ball” is debatable, but that is just what was used in medieval kicking games that often involved whole villages. Meanwhile, in South America, natives had discovered that the latex oozing out of certain trees could be formulated into small bouncing balls. These “rubber” balls were sticky, however, and quickly lost their shape. Along came Charles Goodyear in 1836 with his rubber “vulcanization” process. Goodyear discovered that heating latex together with sulfur made the material much less sticky and more resilient. As chemists would later learn, the reason was that sulfur atoms form bridges between the long molecules of natural rubber, allowing these to return to their original shape after being stretched. Goodyear made hundreds of rubber products ranging from hats to calling cards, and in 1855,

he made the world’s first vulcanized rubber soccer ball. The ball, now on display at the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Oneonta, NY, was made of rubber panels glued together at the seams and was used in 1863 for one of the first known organized soccer games in the U.S. A monument to commemorate this epic event stands on the Boston Common where the game was played. In England, they were still blowing up pig bladders, but William Gilbert, a boot maker, hit upon the idea of a protective leather covering. And then H. J. Lindon took the progressive step of replacing the pig bladder with one made of Goodyear’s vulcanized rubber. Lindon was supposedly motivated by his wife’s death from a lung disease caused by blowing up too many pig bladders! Soon ball manufacturers found that using leather from the rump of a cow made for a stronger ball, and that interlocking panels that ran in different directions allowed the ball to keep its round shape. Then in the 1940s, chemistry kicked in. Researchers at Standard Oil discovered that isobutylene, a substance derived from petroleum, could be polymerized to make a synthetic rubber which went by the name of “butyl rubber.” This was essentially impermeable to air, putting an end to the frustrating task of constantly inflating soccer balls. Butyl rubber also made automatically sealing valves possible, eliminating the need for a laced opening. And then the real revolution came. Synthetic leather, made of waterproof polyurethane or polyvinyl chloride, replaced leather, and eliminated the problem of balls gaining weight when wet. Layers of cushioning fabrics were soon added between the bladder and the covering, which was now constructed of 20 hexagonal and 12 pentagonal panels stitched together with polyester cord, ensuring perfect roundness. The 2006 World Cup led to yet another innovation. A ball made of only 14 thermally bonded panels was introduced, with virtually no seams, improving bounce and accuracy. While I appreciate the science behind these balls, they certainly don’t have the same emotional appeal for me as the deformed, battered leather ball I had to leave behind when we escaped from Hungary in 1956. Puskas also found greener pastures in 1956, launching a second spectacular career with Real Madrid in Spain. Unfortunately, he had failed to lead Hungary to the expected

World Cup in 1954. After decimating the opposition in the preliminary rounds, and being up 2–0 in the final, the Golden Team, with Puskas hobbled by an injury, lost to Germany 3–2. I remember listening to the game on the radio, with the “Puskas” ball at my feet. When Germany scored that third goal, it was like, well, like being hit in the head with a Puskas shot. That World Cup, as all the others, was played on a grass field. But that may change in the future. At the under-20 World Soccer Championships recently played in Canada, we witnessed something that we have never seen in the World Cup. We saw games played on artificial turf. The turf looked like grass, and according to the players, almost felt like grass. What a difference from the first synthetic playing surface developed by Monsanto back in the 1960s! “ChemGrass” (back then, the “chemical” connection was still used in a positive way) was made by melting together nylon pellets and a pigment, and then extruding the hot mix through spinnerets to produce ribbons that could be woven into a fabric. It was durable enough, but it was no fun falling on it, even though the nylon carpet was supported by a soft foam layer of polyurethane. When it was installed in Houston’s Astrodome as “AstroTurf,” ballplayers had to add “carpet burn” and “turf toe” to their vocabulary. But nobody expressed fears that the turf would launch a chemical attack against the players running all over it.

… ballplayers had to add “carpet burn” and “turf toe” to their vocabulary. The possibility of such chemical warfare emerged as a consequence of attempts to improve upon the original artificial turf. In the 1990s, Field Turf, a Canadian company, came up with a novel approach. Out went the stiff nylon fibres—in came soft, elastic polyethylene fibres lubricated with silicone oil. These were tufted into a rubberized plastic mat, just like a giant shag rug. The “tour de force,” though, was the “infill” composed of sand and granules of rubber that kept the fibres upright and provided shock absorbency. Old rubber tires and athletic shoe soles were frozen and ground up to provide the required pellets, and inadvertently, the problems.

The problems revolve around chemicals released from the rubber fill material. Various lead, arsenic, and cadmium compounds are used in rubber manufacture and can leach out from the granules into the soil and surrounding water ways, potentially causing harm to aquatic organisms. But of greater concern is the release of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as benzopyrene, which are known carcinogens. These are present in rubber as a consequence of the addition of “carbon black” as a reinforcing agent for automobile tires. Carbon black, which of course is the reason that tires are black, is made by high temperature treatment of a petroleum fraction, a process that also results in PAH formation. Some of these compounds can evaporate as the hot sun beats down on an artificial surface, exposing players to potentially carcinogenic vapours. There is also concern that dust from the rubber pellets can trigger allergies and asthma. And if that weren’t enough, some studies have shown that the fearful methicillin resistant staphylococcus A bacteria (MRSA) survive better on polyethylene than on other surfaces, and can cause infections when players suffer turf burns. So while the new surfaces may look like grass, and even feel like grass, they don’t necessarily behave like grass. FIFA, the world’s soccer governing organization, is looking into the possibility of allowing World Cup games to be played on artificial turf and was concerned enough to look into the toxicity matter. After much scrutiny, the research officials concluded that while tiny rubber granules may release polyaromatic hydrocarbons, the larger ones used as fillers in turf are not a significant source of these compounds. But there is another question about the turf. Will Beckham be able to bend it like Beckham? I’d love to see that from the sidelines. I would take the risk of being beaned again. I could even compare the effect of polyurethane with that of leather.

Joe Schwarcz, MCIC, is chair of the ACCN editorial board and director of McGill University’s Office for Science and Society. He hosts radio shows and television broadcasts and has published numerous books and articles to promote the public understanding of chemistry. You can contact him at joe. schwarcz@mcgill.ca.

october 2007 Canadian Chemical News 25

Digitized Canadian Journal of Chemistry back issues are now on-line. Robert H. Lipson, MCIC

RC Research Press is proud to announce that the electronic edition of the Canadian Journal of Chemistry (CJC) now includes a complete set of searchable back issues, joining the ranks of the larger publishers such as the Royal Society and the American Chemical Society. This was accomplished, in part, thanks to contributions from the Canadian Society for Chemistry and the Canadian Council of University Chemistry chairs, along with the kind donation of a complete set of copies from the library of The University of Western Ontario. This joint venture has received accolades from librarians and generated a huge amount of interest in the journal from the scientific community around the globe.

26 L’Actualité chimique canadienne octobre 2007

As a publishing house, NRC Press fully recognizes that the advent of electronic back issues and Web access has revolutionized the process of research, and that the chemistry community in particular is a strong advocate of this format for information delivery and retrieval. The ease of access allows users to find relevant material quickly and efficiently. researchers can build on historical information and integrate legacy content into their papers through reference linking, and libraries can guarantee simultaneous access to multiple users while reducing the storage required for their collections. Because the CJC has such a strong citation half-life (more than ten years), it was a prime candidate to join the ranks of the digitized journals. The CJC has a long, proud history. In fact, this year CJC is celebrating 55 years of publishing under its present title. Originally founded in 1929, the Canadian Journal of Research branched off in 1944 to form the rudiments of what would eventually become the Canadian Journals of Physics, Chemistry, Botany, and Zoology. The modern title that we now recognize as the CJC emerged in 1951 from the Canadian Journal of Research, Section B, Chemical Sciences. The digitization of the back issues began with the 1951 volume, the birthdate of CJC. The move to digital archives began in earnest last year at NRC where all of the binding was removed from the hard bound copies and each paper was scanned to PDF format. This was the easy part of the process. A contract was then awarded to an outside company to input all of the metadata information (title, authors, abstract, citation, etc.), which was formatted meticulously to go into a database and onto a Web site at pubs.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/ cgi-bin/rp/rp2_vols_e?cjc. Digital object identifiers (DOIs) were retroactively assigned to each paper, and the numbers were registered with CrossRef, an international publisher’s organization that enables reference linking among publishers’ sites. With a single click, researchers will be able link from a reference in another publisher’s journal to an article in the CJC backfiles. The PDF files were then processed further to enable the functionality associated with Adobe Acrobat software. For example, the full-text articles are now searchable using Acrobat Reader. In addition, once the files were complete, Google crawled the site and

indexed the full-text CJC backfiles. Though this search engine is less accurate, Google has really opened up this content to the world. We are now working with Google Scholar, Google’s academic search product, to enhance the precision of their search engine when accessing the CJC. Recognizing that the Chemical Abstracts Services’ Scifinder Scholar service is a critical tool for the chemistry community, NRC has also been working closely with the American Chemical Society (ACS) to improve currency and access. We are now automatically providing metadata issue by issue to ACS for them to load on their various services. This automatic process replaces a previous manual approach and has decreased the time to access by approximately two months. We are also working with ACS to reduce the number of steps in moving from a Chemical Abstracts reference, through Chemport to our actual article. To further improve currency through Scifinder Scholar, we are working with the CSC executive in approaching ACS to allow an article by article loading of CJC content. Rather than closing the issue and then sending all articles off to ACS, we would send each article to ACS when its available on the CJC Web site. Again, this would make the research available more quickly through Scifinder Scholar. This is not so much a technical issue as a policy issue with ACS. Throughout its publishing history, NRC has always enjoyed a close relationship with the Canadian Society for Chemistry (CSC). This relationship was officially recognized in 2004 with the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the NRC and the CSC. This year, R. Stan Brown, FCIC, of Queen’s University joined the editorial board of the CJC as the society representative, while CJC senior editor Robert H. Lipson, MCIC, reciprocated by representing the journal interests at the CSC board meeting. This enabled a welcome exchange of ideas and perspectives designed to strengthen the bond between the two organizations. In recognition of the relationship between the NRC and the CSC, and in acknowledgement of the financial and moral support of the society, all CIC members have free access to the back issues through a special username/password. After a year dedicated to building on the past, NRC Research Press is now looking

… all CIC members have free access to the back issues … toward the future. In the coming year, we will see a transition to full-text HTML for the CJC, with internal navigational links and reference linking. The HTML product will be built on a new XML workflow designed to maximize the number of potential products. It will make the production process more efficient, and guarantee a more robust archive. The new XML production platform will enhance the currency and accessibility of CJC content to the world. By the new year, the NRC Research Press will also begin to roll out the first phases of a new Web site design for its journals. Over the next year, we will completely rebuild the site and create a more functional and flexible host for the CJC. Publishing is entering an exciting new era built upon a firm base of excellent peerreviewed articles and encompassing all of the ease of access, complexity of presentation, and linking and searching capabilities afforded through new technologies. NRC Research Press, as Canada’s largest publisher of scientific and technical information, is constantly striving to improve its products and respond to the needs of its clients. We gratefully acknowledge all the authors, reviewers, editors, and readers who have contributed to its success in the past, and look forward to working with the national scientific community to produce the highest quality product that all will take pride in and continue to support.

Robert H. Lipson, MCIC, is senior editor of the Canadian Journal of Chemistry, a professor of chemistry at The University of Western Ontario, and director of the Western Institute for Nanomaterials Sciences (WINS). His research interests include laser spectroscopy, optical lithography for photonics applications, and technique development in mass spectrometry.

october 2007 Canadian Chemical News 27

ARATIONS BEGIN FO EP PR . LD OR W NG GI AN CH A R ALLENGES FO

R THE …

WCCE8—THE 8TH WORLD CONGRESS OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING MONTRÉAL, QUEBEC, CANADA • AUGUST 23-27,

2009

Organizing committee executive Congress chair: Philippe Tanguy, MCIC, École Polytechnique de Montréal Congress vice-chair: Richard Munz, MCIC, McGill University Technical program director: Jamal Chaouki, MCIC, École Polytechnique de Montréal Executive director: Roland Andersson, MCIC, Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering Treasurer: François Bertrand, MCIC, École Polytechnique de Montréal International liaison director: David Wood, University of Melbourne

Technical program committee Jamal Chaouki, MCIC, École Polytechnique de Montréal Esteban Chornet, FCIC, Université de Sherbrooke / Enerkem Technologies Inc. Murray Gray, FCIC, University of Alberta Andy Hrymak, FCIC, McMaster University George Liebermann, MCIC, Xerox Research Centre of Canada / AIChE Liaison Richard J. Munz, MCIC, McGill University Jules Thibault, MCIC, University of Ottawa

ith all of the emerging environmentally and economically beneficial discoveries stemming from the field of chemical engineering, what better time to gather the most prominent chemical engineers from around the world, share knowledge, and plan for future generations? After almost 30 years, Canada and Montréal will again host the international chemical engineering community for the 8th World Congress of Chemical Engineering at the extraordinary Palais de Congrès de Montréal from August 23 to 27, 2009. The WCCE8 will be a true global forum for chemical engineers where discovery through discussion and networking will be at the forefront of all activities. The theme of the congress, “Challenges for a Changing World,” is indicative of how the congress is geared towards future sustainability and the significance of our societal roles. The WCCE8 will incorporate the 59th Canadian Chemical Engineering Conference and the XXIV Interamerican Congress of Chemical Engineering. The WCCE8’s technical program will emphasize the key role played by chemical engineers around the world in developing the processes and products needed by humanity in a more sustainable way as highlighted by the congress’s theme. Major sessions will be organized to cover the important challenges we have in common: providing enough energy to make possible the pursuit of economic growth and human development; designing processes that are more acceptable from an environmental and social standpoint; inventing new materials and biologically based processes and products to make our lives easier; and the evolution of our discipline as it adapts to the increasingly complex world we live in. The diversity of chemical engineering goes beyond the main themes, and major sessions are planned to deal with a broad range of contemporary issues. Plenary lectures, delivered by prominent and highly respected professionals selected for their distinctive vision of the future, Philippe Tanguy, MCIC will allow congress participants to focus on what WCCE8 chair

The WCCE8 will entail “Networking of the global chemical engineering community to discuss the scientific, technical, and environmental challenges ahead, and to propose sustainable solutions that will increase the well-being and the wealth of humankind …”

28 L’ACTUALITÉ CHIMIQUE CANADIENNE OCTOBRE 2007

lies ahead. Topical conferences and symposia currently in development are: GLS 9; Biomedical Engineering; Life Cycle Analysis; Nanotechnology; Separation Science and Technology; Coal Technology; Biorefinery/Biomass Transformation; Process Dynamics and Control; Process Safety; and Environmental Engineering, among others.

The Technical Program Committee welcomes further suggestions and would be pleased to hear from you. A full list of the topical conferences and symposia being developed is available at www.wcce8.org. The WCCE8 Exhibition, an integral element of the congress, will provide participants an excellent networking opportunity. It will be the perfect chance to gain insight into the latest products and support services within the field. WCCE8 Exhibitors—experts within their specialties—will be there to consult with participants and provide technical solutions, give demonstrations, and answer questions. The exhibition will be strategically located close to all meeting rooms and will serve as the central meeting point. Housing all coffee breaks, the Exhibition area will echo the exciting hub of scientific discourse, debate, and exchange, as more than 2,000 Canadian and international chemical engineers share different perspectives and gain further knowledge. Montréal, host to the WCCE8, is known as a scenic and vibrant multicultural city with a European flavour, and is renowned for its cultural and artistic life with remarkable restaurants and an excellent hotel network. The congress setting at the state-of-the-art Palais des Congrès, ranks first in Canada, and third in North America. Montréal is easy to reach by air with direct flights from the U.S., Latin America, and Europe, and from Asia through the Vancouver and Toronto hubs.

WCCE8 chair Philippe Tanguy (left) and CIC executive director Roland Andersson attended the World Chemical Engineering Council Executive Meeting and AChemAsia in Beijing. Promotions of WCCE8 were ongoing at the booth, inviting engineers worldwide to attend.

CSChE president David T. Fung (centre) discusses the participation of China in WCCE8 during AChemAsia in May 2007 with Gong Qi Yi, vice-president and secretary general of Chemical Industry and Engineering Society of China (left), and Zhu Danlu, deputy director of Cooperative Division, Foreign Affairs Department of China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation. The Asian community is expected to participate at a rate ten times higher than at previous World Congresses.

Important Dates • March 1, 2008. Call for Papers opens • December 1, 2008. Call for Papers closes • March 31, 2009. Early Bird Registration closes • August 23–27, 2009. 8th World Congress of Chemical Engineering For more information, visit our Web site or contact us at: Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering 130 Slater Street, Suite 550, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1P 6E2 • 613-232-6252 • info@wcce8.org

www.wcce8.org

The CSChE Executive and the Inter-American Confederation for Chemical Engineering (IACChE) met at the AIChE’s Spring Meeting in Houston, TX, April 2007. Pictured are Roland Andersson, CIC executive director; Antonio Estevez, IACChE board member; Milena Sejnoha, CSChE vice-president; Oscar Pagola, president, Argentine Association of Chemical Engineers; Thomas R. Marrero, IACChE; and David T. Fung, CSChE president.

OCTOBER 2007 CANADIAN CHEMICAL NEWS 29

Are you celebrating National Chemistry Week?

Public Understanding of Chemistry 2007

Send us your list of activities and events to post on the NCW Web pages.

The CIC wishes to acknowledge the following organizations for their generous sponsorship of PUC 2007:

Gold

30 Lâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ACTUALITĂ&#x2030; CHIMIQUE CANADIENNE OCTOBRE 2007

National Chemistry Week

Canadian Association of Chemical Distributors Cognis Oleochemicals Canada Limited CropLife Canada Diagnostic Chemicals Ltd. Maxxam Analytics Inc. Seastar Chemical

October 13-20, 2007

Bronze

www.cheminst.ca/ncw

Anachemia Science Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd. Canadian Consumer Specialty Products Association Dow Chemical Canada Inc. H. L. Blachford Ltd. NAEJA Pharmaceutical Inc. Recochem Inc. Rhodia Canada Inc. Syncrude Canada

Semaine nationale de la chimie

Silver

Send photos and/or a report of your events or even a link to your own Web site to show others the fun you had during NCW. These will be posted on our Web site and may appear i n t h e M a rc h 2 0 0 8 issue of ACCN. Contact: publicunderstanding@ cheminst.ca.

du 13 au 20 octobre 2007

BASF Merck Frosst Canada Ltd. NOVA Chemicals Corporation Rohm and Haas Canada Inc.

Do You Like to Experiment? Try this experiment with your own little scientists and send us news of the results!

Make your Own Bubble Gum Teach kids how to make bubble gum as a lesson in the science of food polymers.

Ingredients: • 1/3 cup gum base • 3/4 cup powdered sugar • 3 tablespoons corn syrup • 1 teaspoon glycerin • 1/2 teaspoon citric acid • 5 drops flavouring (your choice) • You could also add colour!

Directions: Place the gum base, citric acid, corn syrup with glycerin, and flavouring mixture into a microwave-safe or heat-resistant dish. Place the gum base into a microwave-safe dish. Heat the gum base on high for one minute. Remove it from the oven and stir. If it has not melted, place it back in the oven and heat for 30 more seconds. Stir again and repeat heating until the gum base is gooey. Measure one heaping tablespoon of powdered sugar and set it aside for later. Pour out about half of the remaining powdered sugar onto your work surface. Make a well in the middle of the pile. Pour the melted gum base mixture into the well. The gum base may still be hot, but it will cool quickly. Dip your fingers in the powdered sugar and begin kneading the gum base and sugar together. Work it as if you are kneading bread dough. Add more powdered sugar when ever the dough gets sticky. Continue adding sugar until you have a smooth, stiff dough. Knead the gum dough until all the sugar is worked in. This will take at least 15 minutes. The more kneading the better. Kneading too little will cause the gum to break up when chewed. Roll out the bubble gum and cut it into pieces. You can make a rope about a half inch in diameter and then cut individual pieces about a half inch long with scissors. To make sticks, roll out the gum with a rolling pin and then cut the strips. Dust all of the gum pieces with the tablespoon of powdered sugar that was set aside. Store in a resealable plastic bag or wrap individual pieces in wax paper. This recipe makes approximately a half pound of gum.

OCTOBER 2007 CANADIAN CHEMICAL NEWS 31

RECOGNITION RECONNAISSANCE

Corporate Knights released the 6th Annual Best 50 Corporate Citizens in Canada, the definitive annual list of Canada’s top corporate citizens in Toronto, ON, on June 25. “The 2007 Best 50 Corporate Citizens are using the unparalleled problem-solving ability of the modern corporation to take action that addresses our time’s most pressing social and environmental struggles,” said Toby Heaps, editor of Corporate Knights, which conducted the survey. “In particular, the core divisions of financial companies, retailers, and energy companies are starting to put their money where their mouths are when it comes to environmental responsibility and green energy in a carbon-constrained world,” Heaps added. The number two ranked company was Alcan, Inc, which knocked down its Canadian absolute greenhouse gases by 30 percent since 1990, while increasing production by 50 percent, through energy efficiency programs and applying superior smelting technology to put the squeeze on PFCs, which are 6,500 times more potent a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide.

The Scientific Committee of the Italian Association of Calorimetry and Thermal Analysis (AICAT) has assigned Jacques Desnoyers, FCIC, the AICAT-SETARAM award for his outstanding contributions to the thermodynamics and calorimetry of solutions, liquid mixtures, and colloidal systems. The award was presented during a special session of the 8th Mediterranean Conference on Calorimetry and Thermal Analysis (MEDICTA 2007) that was held in Palermo, Italy from September 25 to 29, 2007.

The University of British Columbia chemistry professor emeritus, Brian James, FCIC, has been named one of two recipients of the prestigious 2007 and 2008 Paul N. Rylander Award. The award is given by the Organic Reactions Catalysis Society to individuals who have made significant contributions to the use of catalysis in organic reactions. James has contributed for over 45 years to the study of homogeneous catalysis by transition-metal complexes, especially those of platinum metals.

32 L’ACTUALITÉ CHIMIQUE CANADIENNE OCTOBRE 2007

PhosCan Chemical has appointed Janet Lowe as its executive vice-president. Lowe will assume a variety of responsibilities, reporting to Stephen Case, president and CEO. Included in her responsibilities are environmental, governmental, and First Nations relations.

Gregory D. Scholes of the University of Toronto’s department of chemistry has been awarded the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Rutherford Memorial Medal in Chemistry. Scholes has built a superb research program over the past six years. In 2005 he published 11 high-quality journal articles—a substantial number for a physical chemist. Since 2006 he has published 25 papers. His work has been published in prestigious journals including Nature, Nature Materials, Angewandte Chemie, Advanced Materials, Annual Review of Physical Chemistry, Physical Review B, the Journal of Chemical Physics, and the Journal of Molecular Biology. The diversity of his research program, which spans physics, physical chemistry, materials chemistry, and biology, is extraordinary. Scholes has probed deeply into how light interacts with nanoscale materials to discover the conceptual backbone that underpins designs and breakthroughs in topics including solar energy, plastic visual displays, solid-state lighting, and security technologies.

Dave Schwass, MCIC Dave Schwass, MCIC, senior advisor– environmental at NOVA Chemicals and CSC past president, has received the 2007 Frank W. Bachelor Service to the Profession Award from the Association of the Chemical Profession of Alberta (ACPA). The award recognizes an individual’s outstanding contribution to the chemical profession in Alberta. The first recipient of the award, Frank Bachelor, FCIC, was a founding member of the ACPA. Bachelor served as

CIC president from 1990 to 1991 and was awarded the CIC Montréal Medal in 1994. Schwass has a long history of dedication to the profession of chemistry. He was a founding member of ACPA—he is actually member number 1—and secretary and treasurer when the organization was formed in 1992. He has been actively involved in the CSC and has held numerous positions in the Calgary CIC Local Section. He was treasurer for the Calgary CSC 2000 conference and the CSC treasurer from 2001 to 2005. Schwass was also a member of the CSC executive committee. He became CSC vice-president in 2005 and president in 2006. During his presidency, he championed the professional awareness project, whose goal is to increase awareness and recognition of the practice of chemistry as a profession in Canada. Schwass created the National Advisory Committee on the Profession of Chemist in Canada (NACPCC) comprised of leaders from provincial organizations representing chemists and chemistry. He is the president of the Alberta Plastics Recycling Association and a director of the Rockyview Gas Co-op Ltd.

Amy Trottier, ACIC, of Dalhousie University has been awarded an NSERC Canada Graduate Scholarship-Masters.

Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) president and CEO Robert Van Adel announced that he will retire from leadership of the company on November 2, 2007. “The board of directors is extremely pleased with AECL’s accomplishments under Bob’s leadership and we respect his decision to retire,” stated chair of AECL’s board of directors, Michael C. Burns. “Over the last six years, he has transformed the company into a robust, profitable commercial business on track to lead the global nuclear renaissance and we thank Bob for his tireless work in preparing the company for an exciting future.” In announcing his departure, Van Adel noted, “AECL is well positioned to meet the anticipated demand for new nuclear around the world. I’m pleased and confident that we have the right strategies, systems, expertise and people to deliver.”

RECOGNITION RECONNAISSANCE

Dalhousie University’s Mary Anne White, FCIC, has been appointed chair of the NSERC John C. Polanyi Award Selection Committee. She has also been awarded the Royal Society of Canada’s McNeil Medal. Her insatiable interest in understanding the physical world has provided a foundation upon which she has become Atlantic Canada’s leading advocate for public awareness of science. White’s activities attest to her unique ability to promote and communicate science to the general public. Her contributions have been made through helping establish an interactive science centre through newspaper columns, encyclopedia contributions and science booklets, and through public lectures, innovative courses, radio, television, and many public venues. She even gave an outstanding lecture to Parliamentarians on Parliament Hill in the Bacon and Eggheads series.

GUEST COLUMN CHRONIQUEUR INVITÉ

Continued from p. 2

two manuals—the 230-page course manual containing all the slides as well as three appendices of reference material, plus the CIC Laboratory Health and Safety Guidelines, 4th Ed. The style of the course, although formally presented as a PowerPoint slide presentation, is interactive enough to facilitate information interchange and sharing of best practices. Breakout sessions have been incorporated to explore selected topics in more depth and to allow participants to express their own ideas and experiences. Some typical comments from the evaluation forms include, “I really appreciated the interactive style.” “I have approximately 30 to 35 issues to bring back to our next safety meeting.” “Most complete training I have ever had the opportunity to attend.” “Instructor is very knowledgeable in all aspects of lab operations—a lot of experience.” and “Material exceeded expectations in level of detail.” Our goal is to provide comprehensive training in laboratory safety.

In Memoriam

Readers reach for ACCN for news on I started my chemical career as a chemist. After moving to Toronto, I became an active member of the CIC Local Section executive. After adding that P.Eng. after my name, I decided to get involved with the CSChE executive. What hit me was that whenever there was a problem, someone would say, “Call Tony Papadopoulos. He can sort this out.” I have lost track of the number of people I worked with in various industries who knew Tony and had worked with him. I quickly came to the conclusion that anyone of my generation who worked in industry knew Tony. Tony had absolutely no patience for incompetence. There were very few people who didn’t get along with Tony and they didn’t have to look very far to see why. The rest of us looked at Tony as an advisor and a bit of a father figure. To call him, I entered “papa” into my auto dialer. Tony would always make time to help anyone in need. Choose your topic— chemical engineering, politics, finance, the arts and literature, or his favourite, finding the restaurants with the best food in town. As our group started retiring, we began our regular pub lunches (I recently learned that our’s wasn’t Tony’s only pub group). When Tony developed problems walking, we met at his house before going to the pub. This gave us an opportunity to sample the world’s finest ouzo. During those lunches we managed to reorganize the CIC several times and solve countless industrial problems. At our last session, we were simplifying thermodynamic calculations. Tony loaned me one of his old texts. I didn’t get to return it, but then he is not going anywhere where he needs to consider boilers and steam production. Our lunches won’t be the same, but we will still consider that Tony is with us. “Opa” Tony!

who’s who and

what’s what in the Canadian chemical community

w w w. a c c n . c a

Next Month Nanotechnology

Marvin Silbert, FCIC

OCTOBER 2007 CANADIAN CHEMICAL NEWS 33

RECOGNITION RECONNAISSANCE

CANADIAN SOCIETY FOR CHEMICAL ENGINEERING 2007 AWARD WINNERS GAGNANTS 2007 DES PRIX DE LA SOCIÉTÉ CANADIENNE DE GÉNIE CHIMIQUE

Jesse Zhu, FCIC

Barry Cott

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. Jesse Zhu, FCIC The University of Western Ontario Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Jesse Zhu is a Canada Research Chair in the department of chemical and biochemical engineering at The University of Western Ontario, with established international reputation in the research areas

34 L’ACTUALITÉ CHIMIQUE CANADIENNE OCTOBRE 2007

Ertugrul Alp, MCIC

Paul Watkinson, FCIC

of fluidization and particle technology, reflected by a substantial number of publications, research funding, and international scholarly activities such as chairing national and international conferences and serving on journal editorial boards (www.zhu.ca). Currently, he has a very large research program of 34 members and his team works on many aspects of particulate and multiphase flow systems. In addition to fundamental research, he is particularly active in technology development and transfer, with ten granted and five pending patents, and six technologies for commercialization (three licenses so far). Zhu is a Fellow of the Chemical Institute of Canada and has chaired the technical program for the 48th Canadian Chemical Engineering Conference. In 1999, he won the CSChE Syncrude Innovation Award, given yearly to a chemical engineer under the age of 40. Other eminent research awards to his credit include the Ontario Premier’s Research Excellence Award, the Outstanding Scholar’s Award by the Chinese National Science Foundation, and the Engineering Award for Achievement in Research by The University of Western Ontario.

Martin Guay, 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. Barry Cott Shell Canada Barry Cott received his PhD in chemical engineering from the Imperial College of Science,

RECOGNITION RECONNAISSANCE

Technology and Medicine in 1989 after receiving a BASc and a MASc from the University of Waterloo in chemical engineering. He joined Shell Canada after 1989 and has held a series of positions leading Shell Canada’s implementation of process control technologies across its businesses including the Athabasca Oil Sands Project. In 2003, he became the Global R&D team leader for Shell Global Solutions’ Process Control, Optimization and Modeling Group, leading the team that researches and develops Shell’s advanced process control and realtime optimization software suite. The suite is in use worldwide throughout Shell and in the third-party market through an alliance with Yokogawa Electric.

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 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. Ertugrul Alp, MCIC Alp & Associates Incorporated Ertugrul Alp has over 25 years experience in assessment and management of risks to health, safety, environment, property,

business process, and reputation. His experience covers a number of industrial sectors, including chemical, energy, pulp and paper, mining, steel, and transportation sectors. Alp’s company, Alp & Associates, offers a complete range of risk-based services. The focus of the consultancy is on employee and public safety and health, process safety, and environmental, capital loss, business interruption, and reputation risks. In his university teaching, Alp has designed and conducted full-term senior undergraduate and graduate courses on environmental modeling for pollutant transport in all media, on environmental management, environmental impact assessment, risk assessment, and atmospheric dispersion. Alp was chair of MIACC’s (Major Industrial Accidents Council of Canada) Risk Assessment Expert Committee. He participated in the NATO CCMS (Committee for Challenges of Modern Society) Pilot Study on “Disaster Preparedness Planning for Chemical Accidents.” Prior to forming Alp & Associates, Alp served as the Safety and Risk Practice Leader for Arthur D. Little’s Canadian office. Prior to that, he was: the Manager of Environmental and Risk Management practice for BovarConcord Environmental in Toronto, one of the Principals of Concord Environmental, a project manager with Monserco, and Manager of Analysis and Modelling with Westinghouse Canada, Atomic Power Division. Apart from consulting activities, he offers courses on Risk Assessment and Management. Alp is a past chair of the CSChE Process Safety Management Division, a member of the CSA Technical Committee on updating the CSA Risk Management Standard, and a member of the Canadian Advisory Committee for developing the ISO’s new international standard on risk management.

R. S. Jane Memorial Award Prix commémoratif R.-S.-Jane Sponsored by / Parrainé par CSChE

for exceptional achievement in chemical engineering or industrial chemistry. 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. Paul Watkinson, FCIC The University of British Columbia Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering Following high school education in northern Ontario, Paul Watkinson graduated in chemical engineering from McMaster University in 1962. He spent the next two years in industrial pulp and paper research, before graduate study at The University of British Columbia (UBC). After completing masters and PhD programs in mass and heat transfer, in 1968 he joined the Noranda Research Centre. He returned to the department of chemical engineering at UBC in 1971, and was promoted to professor in 1979. He served as department head from 1992 to 2001, guiding a merger which resulted in the new department of chemical and biological engineering in 1999. His research interests have included gasification of coal, bio-mass and coke, pyrolysis of coal and shale for liquids production, and heat transfer, calcination, and combustion of novel bio-fuels in rotary kilns. He is a recognized international authority in heat exchanger fouling, particularly from hydrocarbons. He has co-chaired a number of international conferences, and contributed to many short courses for industry on this topic. Watkinson has been active in the CSChE, serving as Vancouver CSChE Local Section Chair, as a member of the CSChE Board of Directors, as associate editor of The Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering, and as program chair for the 52nd Canadian Chemical Engineering Conference in 2002. He was the winner of the ERCO Award in 1979, and the Jules Stachiewicz Medal for heat transfer in 1994. He became professor emeritus in 2004, and continues to supervise an applied research program which focuses on fouling, bio-fuel gasification, and rotary kilns.

The R. S. Jane Memorial Award is the premier prize of the Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering and is awarded

OCTOBER 2007 CANADIAN CHEMICAL NEWS 35

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RECOGNITION RECONNAISSANCE

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Sponsored by / Parrainé par Syncrude Canada Limited The Syncrude Canada Innovation Award is presented annually to a resident of Canada, who has made a distinguished contribution to chemical engineering before the age of 40. 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. Martin Guay, MCIC Queen’s University Department of Chemical Engineering Martin Guay was born in Lévis, QC in 1966. He received his BASc in chemical engineering and biochemistry from the University of Ottawa in 1990. He completed his MSc in 1992 under the supervision of D. D. McLean and obtained his PhD from the department of chemical engineering in 1996 under the supervision of D. W. Bacon and P. J. McLellan in the area of nonlinear control theory and

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process control. While completing his PhD, he joined the DuPont Canada Research Center in Kingston, ON in 1995 as a research engineer where he stayed until 1997. In 1997, he joined the department of chemical and materials engineering at the University of Alberta where he took a tenure-track position which he left in 1999 to join the department of chemical engineering at Queen’s University where he has been ever since. Guay’s research interests are in the area of process control, control theory, and applied statistics. He is well known for both his research accomplishments and his service to the control community. As a young investigator, Guay has over 100 peer-reviewed publications and peer-reviewed conference proceedings to his record with an upcoming book to be published by Springer-Verlag as part of the Advances in Industrial Control series. He has made significant contributions to the analysis and control of nonlinear processes in chemical engineering. His primary research interest is in the field of control where he has made a number of significant technical contributions both in control theory and process control. Guay received the prestigious Queen’s University Chancellor Research Award (2006) to pursue work on the development of real-time optimization tools for drug delivery systems. His research has also been recognized in the area of nonlinear model predictive control of fast nonlinear systems. In 2005, Guay received the Premier’s Research Excellence Award for his work in the area of control of manufacturing systems and real-time decision making support. In 2001, he served as chair of the Systems and Controls Division. Since 2002, he has served as associate editor for Automatica. He was offered a six-month visiting professor position at the prestigious CESAME Research Institute at the Université Catholique de Louvain, in Belgium. In 2006, he served as model-based control area co-chair at the IFAC ADCHEM conference. He has also served as International Program Committee member for a number of international conferences including the IFAC DYCOPS conference and the IFAC ADCHEM. Guay’s excellence in undergraduate teaching was recently recognized by a Golden Apple Teaching Award which is awarded every year by the Applied Science Undergraduate Student Association at Queen’s University.

RECOGNITION RECONNAISSANCE

CANADIAN SOCIETY FOR CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY 2007 AWARD WINNERS GAGNANTS 2007 DES PRIX DE LA SOCIÉTÉ CANADIENNE DE TECHNOLOGIE CHIMIQUE 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.

Matthew McKim, MCIC, at right

The Norman and Marion Bright Memorial Award Prix commémoratif Norman et Marion Bright Sponsored by / Parrainé par the Norman and Marion Bright Fund/ Le fonds de Norman et Marion Bright 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

Le Prix Norman et Marion Bright est décerné à une personne qui s’est distinguée en contribuant à l’avancement de la technologie chimique. Il peut s’agir d’un technologue en chimie ou d’une personne qui n’appartient pas à ce secteur mais qui a contribué de façon exceptionnelle à l’avancement de celui-ci. Matthew McKim, MCIC New Brunswick Community College Matthew McKim graduated from chemical technology at the New Brunswick Community College in 1972. He worked for a period as a technologist for Ciba Geigy Limited before completing a BSc in chemical engineering (1978) and MEng in environmental engineering (1984) from the University of New Brunswick. He spent several years as a research engineer and

manager at the Ontario Research Foundation (ORF) involved in the development of pollution control systems. He subsequently joined CMS Group as vice-president where he successfully commercialized air and water treatment systems that he patented when with ORF. Since 1987, McKim has been with the chemical technology program of the New Brunswick Community College. He was instrumental in developing a number of community outreach projects that involved chemical technology students including school visits, communitybased environmental monitoring, and urban stream restoration. McKim has received several awards for his teaching and environmental initiatives, including the NOVA Chemicals Limited Award for Excellence in Teaching Chemistry, presented by the CSCT in 2000, the Excellence Award for Education presented by the New Brunswick Department of Advanced Education and Labour in 1998, and the Sustainable Environment Award presented by Environment Canada in 1997.

Looking for the right job? www.chemjobs.ca

OCTOBER 2007 CANADIAN CHEMICAL NEWS 37

CAREERS CARRIÈRES

The Department of Chemistry invites applications for a tenure-stream appointment at the Assistant Professor level in the area of Organic Chemistry. Of particular interest would be an individual whose research builds on existing departmental research strengths. Further information about the Department, the University, and details of the position can be found at our website: www.chem.yorku.ca. The successful candidate will have a PhD, post-doctoral experience in a relevant area, an outstanding research record and must be eligible for prompt appointment to the Faculty of Graduate Studies. The successful candidate will be expected to develop a strong, externally-funded research program and to contribute to teaching Organic Chemistry at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Please mail curriculum vitae, a detailed research plan, a description of teaching philosophy, summary of research publications, and have three references sent directly to: Chair, Search Committee, Department of Chemistry York University, 4700 Keele St. Toronto Ontario M3J 1P3 Fax 416-736-5936 E-mail: chemchr@yorku.ca All York University positions are subject to budgetary approval. Complete applications must be received by November 15, 2007. The position will be available July 1, 2008. York University is an Affirmative Action Employer. The Affirmative Action Program can be found on York’s website at www.yorku.ca/acadjobs or a copy can be obtained by calling the affirmative action office at 416-736-5713. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents will be given priority.

38 L’ACTUALITÉ CHIMIQUE CANADIENNE OCTOBRE 2007

CAREERS CARRIÈRES

SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY Department of Chemistry Faculty Positions in Inorganic Chemistry and Nuclear Chemistry/Radiochemistry The Department of Chemistry at Simon Fraser University (SFU) invites applications for two tenure-track Assistant Professor positions in the areas of Inorganic Chemistry and Nuclear Chemistry/Radiochemistry to take effect in September 2008, subject to final budgetary approval. Applicants should have a Ph.D. degree and will normally have postdoctoral or industrial experience. Outstanding candidates with a commitment to excellence in research and teaching are being sought. Successful candidates will be expected to develop and maintain both an innovative, externally funded research program, and an excellent teaching record at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and Permanent Residents will be given priority. Simon Fraser University is committed to an equity employment program that includes special measures to achieve diversity among its faculty and staff. We therefore particularly encourage applications from qualified women, aboriginal Canadians, persons with disabilities, and members of visible minorities. Applicants should send a complete résumé, a concise research proposal, a short teaching dossier, and a list of three individuals willing to act as referees with their addresses, telephone and/or fax numbers, and email addresses. Interested persons should consult the departmental web site (www.sfu.ca/chemistry) to learn more about our interdisciplinary research programs. All correspondence should be sent to: Dr. Andrew J. Bennet Professor and Chair Department of Chemistry Simon Fraser University 8888 University Drive Burnaby, B.C., Canada V5A 1S6 E-mail: chemchr@sfu.ca Each competition will remain open until the position is filled. Screening of applications will commence on December 1, 2007.

University of Waterloo –

Two Tenure-Track Faculty Positions in the Area of Physical Chemistry/Chemical Physics

The Department of Chemistry at the University of Waterloo invites applications for two faculty positions in the area of Physical Chemistry/ Chemical Physics. Preference will be given to experimentalists. These appointments may be made at any of the professorial ranks. Applicants should have demonstrated excellent or potentially excellent research records in areas of physical chemistry or chemical physics that complement the existing research activities currently in the Department. Successful candidates will also have established excellent teaching records or will be able to provide evidence of outstanding potential for excellence in teaching. The Department has an excellent reputation in physical chemistry/chemical physics, and offers outstanding research and teaching environments, plus access to excellent scientific workshops, instrumentation and computational facilities. Inquiries and applications should be directed to: Dr. John F. Honek, Chair Department of Chemistry University of Waterloo Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1 Applicants should submit a complete curriculum vitae, a research proposal (max. 5 pages in length) and arrange for three letters of recommendation from professional references to arrive before December 20, 2007. Additional information about the Department and the University of Waterloo can be found at www.chemistry.uwaterloo.ca. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply, however, Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents will be given priority. The University of Waterloo encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including women, members of visible minorities, native peoples and persons with disabilities. This appointment is subject to the availability of funds.

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY / POSTE DE PROFESSEUR ADJOINT EN CHIMIE. Université de Sherbrooke (QC-Canada). All areas of organic chemistry will be considered. However, a particular attention will be directed toward applications in relation with the current strategic orientations of the Department (pharmaceutical chemistry, environment, materials). Candidates with a Ph.D. degree in chemistry are invited to send their cv, a description of their teaching interests, a detailed research proposal and 3 reference letters at the address below. Tous les domaines de la chimie organique seront considérés. Toutefois, une attention particulière sera accordée aux dossiers ayant une relation avec les orientations stratégiques actuelles du Département (chimie pharmaceutique, de l’environnement ou des matériaux). Les candidat(e)s détenant un Ph.D. en chimie sont invités à envoyer leur cv, une description de leurs intérêts en enseignement, un programme de recherche détaillé et 3 lettres de références au: Doyen, Fac. Sciences, Offre # 07-6-08-26, Univ. de Sherbrooke, 2500 boul. Université, Sherbrooke (Qc) Canada J1K 2R1. For further details, go to / Pour plus de détails, consulter: www. usherbrooke.ca/srh/offres.html, professeurs, offre # 07-6-08-26.

OCTOBER 2007 CANADIAN CHEMICAL NEWS 39

Nominations are now open for

The Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering

2008AWARDS 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 Jules Stachiewicz Medal is presented in recognition of contributions to the field of heat transfer, including design, research manufacturing and teaching. Sponsored by the Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering and the Canadian Society for Mechanical Engineering. Award: A medal, a framed scroll and a cash prize.

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.

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 D. G. Fisher Award is presented

The R. S. Jane Memorial Award is

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.

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

Deadline The deadline for all CSChE awards is December 3, 2007 for the 2008 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

EVENTS ÉVÉNEMENTS

Canada Conferences October 28–31, 2007. 57th Canadian Chemical Engineering Conference, Edmonton, AB, www.csche2007.ca November 9–11, 2007. 35th Ontario-Quebec Physical Organic Mini-Symposium (POMS), Waterloo, ON, www.science.uwaterloo.ca/ ~mbarra/35poms/ February 4–8, 2008. Pulp and Paper Technical Association of Canada 94th Annual Meeting and EXFOR’s 50th Anniversary, during PaperWeek International, Montréal, QC, www.paptac.ca

October 19–22, 2008. 58th Canadian Chemical Engineering Conference, Ottawa, ON, www.chemeng.ca/csche2008

January 2–5, 2008. The 5th International Chemical Engineering Congress & Exhibition, Kish Island, Iran, www.ichec.ir

August 23–27, 2009. 8th World Congress of Chemical Engineering and 59th Canadian Chemical Engineering Conference, Montréal, QC, www.wcce8.org

June 15–19, 2008. World Hydrogen Energy Conference, South Brisbane, Australia, www.whec2008.com

Student Conferences October 26, 2007. Colloque annuel des étudiants et étudiantes de 1er cycle en chimie, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Pierre.Harvey@usherbrooke.ca

U.S. and Overseas

May 24–28, 2008. 91st Canadian Chemistry Conference and Exhibition, Edmonton, AB, www.chemistry.ca/csc2008

November 14–16, 2007. Pacific Rim Summit on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy, Honolulu, HI, www.bio.org/pacrim/reg

June 2–5, 2008. International Pulp Bleaching Conference, Québec, QC, www.paptac.ca

November 18–21, 2007. The 10th International Chemistry Conference in Africa (10 ICCA) Benghazi, Libya, www.garyounis. edu/africhem/

June 16–18, 2008. Control Systems/Pan Pacific Conference, Vancouver, BC, www. paptac.ca September 6–10, 2008. 6th International Symposium on Radiohalogens, Whistler, BC, www.triumf.info/hosted/6ISR

December 12–21, 2007. International Symposium on Catalysis and Fine Chemicals 2007, Singapore www.cfc2007.org

August 3–8, 2008. Chemistry in the ICT Age—the 20th International Conference on Chemical Education (ICCE 2008), Reduit, Mauritius, www.uom.ac.mu/20icce.htm August 4–6, 2008. 12th Asia-Pacific Confederation of Chemical Engineering Meeting—the Chemical Engineering Exhibition, Dalian, China, apcche@163.com September 16–20, 2008. 2nd European Chemistry Congress–Chemistry: the Global Science, Torino, Italy, www.euchems-torino2008.it October 20–22, 2008. LABTECH Conference & Exhibition 2008, Manama, Bahrain, www. lab-tech.info December 12–15, 2008. 10th European Meeting on Supercritical Fluids, Strasbourg, France, www.isasf.net/strasbourg

The Canadian Society for Chemical Technology

2008AWARD

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 all CSCT awards is December 3, 2007 for the 2008 selection. Nomination forms and the full Terms of Reference for this award is available at www.chem-tech.ca/awards.

OCTOBER 2007 CANADIAN CHEMICAL NEWS 41

42 L’ACTUALITÉ CHIMIQUE CANADIENNE OCTOBRE 2007

OCTOBER 2007 CANADIAN CHEMICAL NEWS 43

PM40021620

E CHALLENG

ORLD W G N I G N A FOR A CH

8TH WORLD CONGRESS OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING INCORPORATING THE 59TH CANADIAN CHEMICAL ENGINEERING CONFERENCE AND THE XXIV INTERAMERICAN CONGRESS OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

MONTRÉAL, QUEBEC, CANADA • AUGUST 23-27,

www.wcce8.org

2009