Prof. Eric Kennedy

Biography

I obtained a BSc (Pure and Applied Chemistry) with 1st Class Honours from the University of NSW in 1985, and a PhD in Physical Chemistry from the same institution in 1989. Following a year as a Research Fellow at Macquarie University, I then moved to the USA, where I was a Research Fellow at Texas A&M and then Yale University. I joined the Department of Chemical Engineering at The University of Newcastle as a lecturer level B in 1994. I was promoted to senior lecturer (level C) in 1998 to Associate Professor (level D) in 2002 and Professor (level E) in 2006.

Since arriving in Newcastle, I have built an active group, undertaking research in the generic area of fire chemistry. My work has resulted in the publication of 2 book chapters, 5 edited books, 121 peer-reviewed articles (63 journal papers and 58 conference papers); delivered 11 plenary and keynote presentations and 36 conference presentations (in addition to peer-reviewed conference papers), produced one provisional patent and 14 major consultancy reports. In addition, 5 manuscripts are in the review process while another 4 have been submitted for consideration. My research has led to the awarding of a number of internationally recognised prizes, including the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI) Green Chemistry Award, 2000, the Australia Museum, Eureka Prize for Environmental Research, 2002; and most recently the RK Murphy Medal from the Industrial Chemistry Division of RACI; 2005.

My research is supported by ARC and industry funding, averaging around $300,000 pa. My more recent grants include: ARC Discovery Projects Gas-phase and catalytic reaction of halon under reducing conditions, (2002-2004, $166,000), Conversion of ozone-depleting substances to useful chemicals, (2004-2006, $320,000) and Formation of toxic species during combustion of treated timber, (2005-2007, $600,000). ARC Linkage Grant, Gassing mechanism and stability of foamed explosive emulsions with ORICA Explosives (2002-2004, $143,000) I have also established a network of industrial sponsors (3M Australia, BHPBilliton, OneSteel, Dyno Nobel and Origin Energy) and international collaborators in Europe, North America and Asia. The sponsorship of research by industry includes projects on Self-heating and ignition of zinc, and Flammability of paint primers ($200,000). I am a member of the Priority Research Centre for Energy, where I am chair of the Organising committee.

Qualifications

• PhD, University of New South Wales, 1989
• Bachelor of Science (Chemistry), University of New South Wales, 1985

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Research

Research keywords

• fire chemistry
• fire safety
• ozone depeting substance
• synthetic greenhouse gases

Research expertise

Chemical reactions of halogenated compounds at elevated temperatures

• Treatment of ozone-depleting substances
• Catalytic reaction of halogenated compounds
• Reaction of methane with fluorochemicals

Formation of toxic compounds in fires

• Emission of dioxins, furans, PCBs and PAHs in fires
• Combustion and energy recovery from CCA-treated wood and refuse-derived fuels
• Emission of toxic acid gases (such as HF) during combustion of halogenated materials

Mitigation of uncontrolled reactions

• Fire fighting foams, especially the development of non-fluorocarbon foams
• Chemically-enhanced water mist
• Mitigation of chemical fires
• Pyrolysis of solid fuels under fire conditions
• Suppression mechanisms of gaseous agents

Fundamental studies of fire chemistry

• Self-heating and spontaneous ignition of coal
• Flame spread under oxygen depleted conditions
• Flammability of refrigerants
• Tubular burner for rapid testing of gaseous agents
• Narrow channel apparatus for testing of gaseous flame inhibition agents against fires of solid fuels

Energy

• Hydrogen production from biomass, coal and methane
• Synthesis of methanol via the reaction of CO2 with hydrogen
• Synthesis of ammonia from hydrogen

Fields of Research

Code	Description	Percentage
091499	Resources Engineering And Extractive Metallurgy Not Elsewhere Classified	75
090499	Chemical Engineering Not Elsewhere Classified	20
030699	Physical Chemistry Not Elsewhere Classified	5

Centres and Groups

Centre

• Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources (NIER)
• PRC - Priority Research Centre for Energy

Memberships

Body relevant to professional practice.

• Fellow - Engineers Australia
• International Association of Fire Safety Science
• Fellow - Royal Aurtralian Chemical Institute

Committee/Associations (relevant to research).

• member and treasurer - Catalysis Society of Australia

Awards

Research Award.

2008	2008 Harry C. Bigglestone Award National Fire Protection Association (Australia) The Bigglestone Award is presented annually to the authors of the most outstanding paper submitted to Fire Technology during the previous calendar year.
2005	RK Murphy Medal Royal Austrlian Chemical Institute (Australia) Nationally competative award. From the Industrial Chemistry Division of RACI; Citation: & in recognition of contributions to science and technology in Australia, contribution to the RACI and, in particular, research in fire science and engineering.
2002	Eureka Prize for Environmental Research Australian Museum (Australia)
2000	Green Chemistry Challenge Award Royal Austrlian Chemical Institute (Australia) Nationally competative award. Citation: to recognise fundamental and innovative chemical methods that accomplish pollution prevention through source reduction and that have a broad applicability in industry&

Invitations

15th National Symposium on Catalysis Indo-Pacific Catalysis Association, India (Conference Presentation - non published.)	2001
2nd Science, Technology and Standards for Fire Suppression Systems Symposium National Research Institute of Fire and Disaster, Japan (Conference Presentation - non published.)	2002
4th Asia-Oceania Symposium on Fire Science and Technology Asia-Oceania Association for Fire Science and Technology, Japan (Conference Presentation - non published.)	2000
5th International Wood Sciences Conference, High Tatras Academy of Wood Sciences, Slovak Republic (Conference Presentation - non published.)	2004
Fire Expo Korea Fire Equipment Inspection Corporation (KFI Corp.), Korea, Republic of (Conference Presentation - non published.)	2007
Pacifichem 2000 American Chemical Society , the Chemical Society of Japan, the Canadian Society for Chemistry, the New Zealand Institute of Chemistry and the Royal Australian Chemical Institute, United States (Conference Presentation - non published.)	2000
Newcastle Symposium on CF3I University of Newcastle, Australia (Invited presentation)	2000

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Administrative

Administrative expertise

University and Faculty based activities

• Assistant Dean (International) (1998-2000)
• Chemical Technical Safety Committee, (CTSC) (1996-2003)
• FEBE Safety Committee (2004, continuing)
• Member of the Faculty Research Committee (2001-2004)

School-based activities

• Head, School of Engineering (2005-Mar, 2006)
• Visits to High Schools to Promote Engineering (1995, continuing)

Discipline-based activities

• Head, Discipline of Chemical Engineering (2004, continuing)
• Laboratory Safety Manager (1996, continuing)
• Laboratory Director (1996 -1999, 2004 continuing)

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Teaching

Teaching keywords

• catalysis
• chemical kinetics
• process safety

Teaching expertise

Subject

CHEE1150 Chemical Engineering Principles

CHEE241 Design Principles

OHSE2210 Chemical Process Safety I

CHEE2820 Laboratory 2

CHEE355 Surface Chemistry

CHEE3420 Safety and Risk Management

CHEE367 Hazardous Waste Management

CHEE351 Electrochemistry and Corrosion

CHEE382 Laboratory 3

CHEE383 Laboratory 4

CHEE4320 Kinetics and Reaction Engineering

CHEE3690 Environmental Process Technology.

CHEE4950 Design Project

CHEE4970 Research Project