Dr. Leigh Wardhaugh | Chemical Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Retired at Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australia

Leigh Thomas Wardhaugh is an accomplished chemical engineer with expertise in rheology, process engineering, and CO₂ capture technologies 🌍⚙️. Born in 1956 in Wollongong, Australia, he holds dual Australian and Canadian citizenship 🇦🇺🇨🇦. He earned a B.E. (Hons.) in Chemical Engineering from the University of New South Wales and a Ph.D. from the University of Melbourne 🎓. With an extensive career spanning academia, industrial research, and engineering, he has worked with CSIRO, Nova Chemicals, and leading universities 🏭🔬. Now retired, he engages in casual contract engineering and beef cattle farming while continuing research in energy utilization and separation technologies 🌱🌞.

Professional Profile

Orcid

Scopus

Education & Experience

📚 Education:

• B.E. (Hons.) in Chemical Engineering – University of New South Wales (1975–1978)
• Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering – University of Melbourne (1985–1989)

👨‍🔬 Experience:

• CSIRO Energy (2008–2019) – Senior Research Engineer in PCC & separation technologies 🔬
• Nova Chemicals (1993–2002) – Senior Scientist in solvent recovery & polyethylene processing 🏭
• University of Alberta (1991–1993) – Postdoctoral Researcher in polymer rheology & thermodynamics 📊
• BCLV Pilot Plant (1989–1990) – Plant Engineer in catalytic hydrogenation & distillation ⚙️
• BP & IPTACCS (1982–1984) – Development & process engineer in pilot plants 🚀
• Theatre studies & high school teaching (2002–2007) 🎭📖

Professional Development

Leigh Wardhaugh has continuously contributed to chemical engineering advancements, particularly in post-combustion CO₂ capture, separation processes, and rheology 🏭🧪. His work at CSIRO led to innovations such as the Rotating Liquid Sheet (RLS) contactor, enhancing efficiency in gas-liquid interactions 💡. His polymer rheology research at Nova Chemicals supported the commercial development of Advanced Sclairtech polyethylene technology 🏗️. His global collaborations include projects with Cambridge, Mainz, and Johns Hopkins Universities 🌍🎓. Even post-retirement, he remains engaged in engineering consultancy and sustainability-focused research 🌱⚡.

Research Focus

Leigh Wardhaugh specializes in process intensification, CO₂ capture technologies, and rheology 🏭🔬. His groundbreaking work in chemical absorption for greenhouse gas reduction has helped shape more energy-efficient methods of industrial CO₂ mitigation 🌱💨. His research on polymer rheology and separation processes contributed to significant advancements in polyethylene production 🏗️🛢️. He has been instrumental in developing novel gas-liquid contactors, such as the Rotating Liquid Sheet (RLS) contactor, which enhances mass transfer efficiency ⚡. His expertise extends to fluid mechanics, heat exchange, and pilot plant development, driving innovation across multiple industries 🔄🔥.

Awards & Honors

🏆 CSIRO Patent Holder – Inventor of the Rotating Liquid Sheet (RLS) Contactor (2012)
🏆 Senior Scientist – Nova Chemicals (2000)
🏆 Project Leadership – PCC Novel Processes & ANLEC Novel Gas-Liquid Contactor Project
🏆 Industry Collaborations – Worked with Cambridge, Mainz, and Johns Hopkins Universities
🏆 Invited Speaker – 8th Asia Pacific Conference on Sustainable Energy & Environmental Technologies (2011)
🏆 Contributed to Patents – Heat integrated liquid absorbent regeneration & twisted tape heat exchanger

Publication Top Notes

1. Results from trialling aqueous ammonia-based post-combustion capture in a pilot plant at Munmorah power station: gas purity and solid precipitation in the stripper

   • Published: September 2012
   • DOI: 10.1016/j.ijggc.2012.04.014
   • Source: CSIRO
   • Summary: This paper presents the results of a pilot plant trial investigating the use of aqueous ammonia for CO₂ capture, focusing on gas purity and solid precipitation within the stripper unit.

2. Results from trialling aqueous NH₃ based post-combustion capture in a pilot plant at Munmorah power station: absorption

   • Published: August 2011
   • DOI: 10.1016/j.cherd.2011.02.036
   • Source: CSIRO
   • Summary: This study focuses on the absorption performance of aqueous ammonia in post-combustion CO₂ capture, tested at the Munmorah power station pilot plant.

3. A survey of process flow sheet modifications for energy efficient CO₂ capture from flue gases using chemical absorption

   • Published: 2011
   • DOI: 10.1016/j.ijggc.2011.01.002
   • Source: Leigh Wardhaugh via Scopus – Elsevier
   • Summary: This paper surveys various modifications to CO₂ capture process flow sheets aimed at improving energy efficiency in chemical absorption-based carbon capture.

4. Analysis of combined process flow sheet modifications for energy efficient CO₂ capture from flue gases using chemical absorption

   • Published: 2011 (Conference Paper)
   • DOI: 10.1016/j.egypro.2011.01.191
   • Source: Leigh Wardhaugh via Scopus – Elsevier
   • Summary: This conference paper examines the impact of multiple process modifications on the overall energy efficiency of chemical absorption-based CO₂ capture.

5. Preliminary analysis of process flow sheet modifications for energy efficient CO₂ capture from flue gases using chemical absorption

   • Published: 2011
   • DOI: 10.1016/j.cherd.2011.02.008
   • Source: Leigh Wardhaugh via Scopus – Elsevier
   • Summary: This paper provides an early-stage analysis of potential process modifications for improving energy efficiency in post-combustion CO₂ capture.