Six delegates from the Department of Process Engineering recently attended the 30th European Symposium on Applied Thermodynamics (ESAT) held in Prague, Czech Republic from June 10 to 13. The conference is aimed at thermophysical behaviour obtained either by experimental work, or by modelling through molecular and statistical thermodynamics. In attendance were Proff Cara Schwarz, André Burger, Hansie Knoetze, Dr Jamie Cripwell, Carla Latsky (doctoral student), and Riccardo Swanepoel (master’s student), all from the Separations Technology research group.
The researchers delivered presentations on a variety of topics such as the experimental difficulties of measuring high-pressure phase equilibria (Prof Knoetze), modelling of detergent-range alkane/alcohol mixtures (Ms Latsky), and accounting for hydrogen-bonding in theoretical frameworks (Dr Cripwell). Mr Swanepoel presented a poster on the phase behaviour of solvent/polyethylene systems, and Prof Schwarz on molecular interactions in carbon dioxide/wax systems. Posters by Danielle de Klerk (co-authored by Drs Lidia Auret and John McCoy), Jaco Moorcroft, Ruan Hurter, and Herman Franken were also presented.
Mr Swanepoel received the Helmut Knapp poster award (pictured), which is awarded to PhD students or young PhD graduates for the best poster presentation in honour of the conference’s founder.
Apart from the busy academic program, researchers also had time to experience the sights of the thousand-year-old city, such as a boat cruise banquet on the Vltava River, organised by the conference committee (pictured).
From left to right: Prof Ivo Nezbeda (Conference Organiser), Mr Riccardo Swanepoel, Prof Eugénia Macedo (Conference Chair), Prof Dr-Ing. Ralf Dohrn (Vice Chair), and Prof Georgios Kontogeorgis (EFCE Distinguished Lecturer in Thermodynamics and Transport Properties)
From left to right: Proff Hansie Knoetze, André Burger, Cara Schwarz, Mr Riccardo Swanepoel, Ms Carla Latsky, and Dr Jamie Cripwell
