RECYCLING

Biography

Prof Lucas has lead a team of researchers in the development of a novel process for the treatment of contaminated soils and polluted sediments. Based on their fundamental and applied research, Lucas and his team have designed, developed and commercialised a Thermal Desorption Treatment Process, capable of treating 30 Tonnes/hour of soils polluted with organic wastes such as tars, oils, pesticides and other environmentally hazardous chemicals. The development (over 12 years) has gone through the various phases of fundamental research, design and analysis, pilot plant trials, prototype fabrication and development to commercial ready process. The work has lead to a University Spin-Off company (Innova Soil Technology Limited). Highlights of the development include: AusIndustry R&D START Funding - Technology Demonstration (Lucas, 2001, $1,093,000), Recipient of Engineers Australia NATIONAL Award for Environmental Engineering Excellence (2003), US/AUS/CAN/EUR Patents. In addition to the contributions made to the field of advanced thermal desorption technology, Lucas has established a track record of research excellence in thermal process engineering, with particularly interests in waste processing/utilisation, coal utilisation (ignition and devolatilisation phenomena) and direct coal-iron ore reduction. In recognition of the quality and significance of his research, A/Prof Lucas received various prestigious awards; " Distinction Award for the Conference Paper Strezov V, Lucas JA, Osborn SR, Strezov L, Measurements of the Heats of Coal Devolatilisation, 16th Annual International Pittsburgh Coal Conference, Pittsburgh, PA, USA, October 1999. " Distinguished 2002 John Brodie Medal for the best paper at the CHEMECA 2002 for the work: McGann G, Evans T, Strezov L, Strezov V, Lucas JA, Iron Ore Characterisation during High Temperature Thermal Processing CHEMECA 2002, Christchurch, New Zealand, September 2002. " Engineers Australia (Hunter Region) Award for Engineering Excellence Innovation Award and Overall Winner (2003) for the project The Development of an Innovative Soil Remediation System " Engineers Australia National Award for Environmental Engineering Excellence (2003) for the project The Development of an Innovative Soil Remediation System.

Research Interest

Contaminated soil remediation, metals processing, energy systems, waste minimisation * Co-founder and MD Innova Soil Technology, a start-up technology commercialisation company