thring

RON THRING, CHAIR
Chemistry, Environmental Science & Environmental Engineering Programs

3333 University Way, Prince George, British Columbia, Canada
Phone: (250) 960-5804
Email: thring@unbc.ca

PhD (1990) Chemical Engineering, University of Sherbrooke, Canada.
MSc (1984) Chemical Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, Canada.
MASc (1980) Chemical Engineering, University of Bradford, U.K.
BSc (1978) Mathematics, Physics & Chemistry, University of Botswana and Swaziland, Southern Africa.

Research Interests

Chemicals, fuels and biosolids from natural resources
Reaction engineering principles and catalysis applied to pulp and paper, polymer, oil and gas processes
Plastics and rubber characterization and processing
Environmental engineering (soil remediation, green house gases control, waste & wastewater treatment)
Value-added processing and product development
Mass transfer with chemical reaction
Mixing of Floating Solids
Biodegradable Materials (production, characterization and applications).

Recently Supervised Theses

P. Ni, MScE, "Synthesis of Polyurethanes from Non-Modified Lignin Using a Polymerization Catalyst", 1999.
J. Howell, MScE, "Hardwood Lignin Recovery by ClO2 Generator Waste Acid Acidulation", 1997.
A. Humphrey, MScE, "Oxygen Delignification of Sulfite Pulp", (with Dr. Y. Ni), 1997.
M. Vanderlaan, MScE, "The Manufacture of Polyurethanes Using Alcell Lignin", 1995.
M. Hepditch, MScE, "Oxidation of Alcell Lignin", 1995.
R. Bourque, MScE, "Polyblends from Lignin with Selected Thermoplastics", 1995.

Current Projects

Lignin-derived polyurethanes and polyblends.
Hydrogen and medium Btu gases from wastes.
Closed-cycle groundwood mill.
Gasification of kraft black liquor and lignin

Industrial Work Experience

Production Engineer, Libby's Swaziland Ltd. (fruit processing).
Process Engineer, Mhlume and Simunye Sugar Mills (Swaziland).
Research Engineer, PAPRICAN (Canada)

Industrial Teaching

Distance education in pulp and paper engineering
Rubber chemistry and technology
Plastics recycling
Plastics operator training .

Academic Teaching

Materials science and engineering, heat transfer, separation (staged) processes, polymer reaction engineering and processing, papermaking, pulp production, advanced mathematical methods, chemical engineering laboratory, process economics and plant safety, reaction engineering principles in pulp & paper processes, chemical process industries - environmental impact.

Professional Memberships

Association of Professional Engineers and GeoScientists of New Brunswick.
Chemical Institute of Canada (CSChE Division).
American Institute of Chemical Engineers.
American Chemical Society.
Canadian Pulp and Paper Association (now PAPTAC).
American Society for Engineering Education.

Honors, Affiliations, etc.

National Examiner (Polymer Engineering), Association of the Professional Engineers of Ontario (Canada).
Member on Editorial Board, Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering.
Member on Publications Committee, Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering.

Publications (Refereed, Conference, Books, Reports etc.)

Presentations at Professional and Technical Meetings

Invited Seminars