UC Spark

Dr Chris Williamson

Chemical and Process Engineering

Fields of Research

  • Wood gasification for energy and liquid fuels
  • Process control
  • Modelling wood processing plants
  • Expert systems and neural networks in chemical engineering
  • Computer aided process engineering

Researcher Summary

Research interests include:
-Wood gasification for combined heat and power systems in the wood processing industry and for the production of liquid biofuels via the Fischer-Tropsch process.
-Modelling of manufacturing processes in the wood processing industry.
-Process control of chemical engineering plant, especially in the pulp and paper making process.
-Neural Network Applications in Chemical Engineering: Neural networks have been investigated to find suitable applications in chemical engineering, including the prediction of atmospheric pollution levels and in improving process control.

Subject Area: Disciplines

Research Groups

Affiliations

Publications


  • Alabi, S.B., Williamson, C.J. and Lee, J. (2012) Centrifugal-pump based linear quartic model for predicting black liquor viscosity. Abuja, Nigeria: 42nd Annual General Meeting, Conference and Exhibition of the Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers (NSChE), 15-17 Nov 2012. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Penniall, C., Williamson, C. and Marshall, A.T. (2012) Comparison of the performance of washcoating variations for Fisher-Tropsch synthesis in a microchannel reactor. Wellington, New Zealand: Chemeca2012, 23-26 Sep 2012. (Conference Contribution - Paper in published proceedings)
  • Penniall, C., Williamson, C., Marshall, A. and Pang, S. (2012) Development of microchannel reactors for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis suitable for small scale production of liquid fuels. Christchurch, New Zealand: Advanced Biofuels Research Network Science Symposium (ABRN), 22-23 Nov 2012. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Williamson, C.J., Mitrovic, A., Bebbington, A., Mathews, M., Suraweera, P., Martin, B., Thomson, D. and Holland, J. (2012) Thermo-Tutor: An intelligent tutoring system for thermodynamic cycle analysis. Wellington, New Zealand: Chemeca2012, 23-26 Sep 2012. (Conference Contribution - Paper in published proceedings)
  • Alabi, S.B. and Williamson, C.J. (2011) Centrifugal Pump-based Predictive Models for Kraft Black Liquor Viscosity: An Artificial Neural Network Approach. Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research 50(17): 10320-10328. http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/ie200684n. (Journal Article)
  • Williamson, C. J., Gardiner, A. and Pilbrow, E. (2011) Hydrogen from Ethanol via Steam Reforming in a Plasma Reactor. Sydney, Australia: Chemeca 2011, 18-21 Sep 2011. http://www.conference.net.au/chemeca2011/papers/521.pdf. (Conference Contribution - Paper in published proceedings)
  • Penniall, C. and Williamson, C. (2011) Liquid Fuel from Wood: Can it be Done on a Small Scale in the New Zealand Wood Processing Industry. New Zealand Journal of Forestry 56(2): 9-14. (Journal Article)
  • Penniall, C. and Williamson, C. (2011) Microchannel reactor construction and online performance of Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. Wellington, New Zealand: Advanced Biofuels Research Network (ABRN) Science Symposium, 28-29 Nov 2011. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Williamson, C. (2011) Small Scale Fischer-Tropsch Plants in New Zealand. St. Louis, MO, USA: International Biomass Conference and Expo, 2-5 May 2011. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Mitrovic, A., Williamson, C., Bebbington, A., Mathews, M., Suraweera, P., Martin, B., Thomson, D. and Holland, J. (2011) Thermo-Tutor: An Intelligent Tutoring System for Thermodynamics. Amman, Jordan: 2011 IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference (EDUCON), 4-6 Apr 2011. In 2011 IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference EDUCON 378-385. http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/EDUCON.2011.5773164. (Conference Contribution - Paper in published proceedings)
  • How, S.S., Williamson, C.J., Tan, Y.E. and Carradine, D. (2010) A Conceptualisation in Computer Simulation of Processing Radiata Pine Finger-jointed Wood and Glued-laminated Lumber. Geneva, Switzerland: 53rd International Convention of the Society of Wood Science and Technology, 11-14 Oct 2010. In Proceedings of the International Convention of Society of Wood Science and Technology and United Nations Economic Commission for Europe - Timber Committee Paper WS-35. (Conference Contribution - Paper in published proceedings)
  • How, S.S., Carradine, D., Williamson, C.J., Cambridge, J. and Tan, Y.E. (2010) Predicting Modulus of Elasticity of Short Length New Zealand Radiata Pine Finger Joint Shooks using Flexural Vibration Method. Geneva, Switzerland: 53rd International Convention of the Society of Wood Science and Technology, 11-14 Oct 2010. In Proceedings of the International Convention of Society of Wood Science and Technology and United Nations Economic Commission for Europe - Timber Committee Paper WS-36. http://swst.org/meetings/AM10/pdfs/WS-36%20How%20predictions%20Paper.pdf. (Conference Contribution - Paper in published proceedings)
  • Penniall, C., Williamson, C. and Marshall, A. (2010) Small Scale Fischer-Tropsch Plants in New Zealand. Rotorua, New Zealand: Science Symposium: Next Generation Liquid Biofuels and Co-Products, 13-14 Dec 2010. (Conference Contribution - Poster presentation)
  • Alabi, S.B., Williamson, C.J. and Lee, J. (2010) Viscosity models for New Zealand black liquor at low solids concentrations. Aisa-Pacific Journal of Chemical Engineering 5(4): 619-625. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/apj.444. (Journal Article)
  • Penniall, C.L. and Williamson, C.J. (2009) Feasibility study into the potential for gasification plant in the New Zealand wood processing industry. Energy Policy 37(9): 3377-3386. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2008.11.046. (Journal Article)
  • Bull, D., Gilmour, I.A., Williamson, C.J. and Pang, S. (2009) The Development and Operation of a 100 kW Dual Fluidised Bed Biomass Gasifier for Production of High Quality Producer Gas. Vienna, Austria: International Conference on Polygeneration Strategies (ICPS09), 1-4 Sep 2009. (Conference Contribution - Full conference paper)
  • Alabi, S.B. and Williamson, C.J. (2009) Viscosity Models for New Zealand Black Liquor at Low Solid Concentrations. Perth, Australia: Chemeca 2009, 27-30 Sep 2009. (Conference Contribution - Paper in published proceedings)
  • Mwandila, G., Pang, S., Gilmour, I. and Williamson, C. (2008) Tar Removal in a Hot Gas Bubble & Spray System for Gas Cleaning After Biomass Gasification. Newcastle, Australia: Chemeca 2008, 28 Sep-1 Oct 2008. In Towards a Sustainable Australasia 1047-1056. http://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=756380555812740;res=IELENG. (Conference Contribution - Paper in published proceedings)
  • Gao, F., Williamson, C. and Dawson, B. (2007) Wood Colour of Radiata Pine. Taipei, China-Taipei: IUFRO All Division 5 Conference, 29 Oct-2 Nov 2007. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Rutherford, J.P. and Williamson, C.J. (2006) Integrating advanced biomass gasifiers into the New Zealand wood industry. New Zealand Journal of Forestry 51(3): 35-41. (Journal Article)
  • Cussins, M.J., Williamson, C.J., Gardiner, A.I. and Earl, W.B. (2006) Small-scale Steam Reformation of Ethanol over Supported Metal Catalysts at Low Temperature and Pressure. Developments in Chemical Engineering and Mineral Processing 14(1-2): 19-32. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/apj.5500140103. (Journal Article)
  • Williamson, C. (2006) The energy sector: A hidden goliath. In J.C.F. Walker (Ed.), Primary Wood Processing: Principles and Practice (2nd ed.): 535-556. Dordrecht: Springer. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/1-4020-4393-7_14. (Chapter in Book)
  • Cussins, M.J., Williamson, C.J., Gardiner, A.I. and Earl, W.B. (2005) Small-scale Steam Reformation of Ethanol over Supported Metal Catalysts at Low Temperature and Pressure. Brisbane, Australia: Hydrogen Technologies and Opportunities for Australia, Workshop at CHEMECA 2005, 25-28 Sep 2005. In Developments in Chemical Engineering and Mineral Processing 14(1/2) 19-32. (Conference Contribution - Full conference paper)
  • Williamson, C.J. and Young, B.R. (2003) Control of a Naphtha Distillation Column Train. Vancouver, BC, Canada: Advanced Process Control Applications for Industry Workshop (APC 2003), 28-30 Apr 2003. 8 p. (Conference Contribution - Paper in published proceedings)
  • Williamson, C.J. (2003) Simulation and Control of a Distillation Column Train. Wellington, New Zealand: Joint SCENZ/FEANC/EMG Technical Conference, 10-11 Jul 2003. 58. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Williamson, C.J. (2003) Urea From Underground Coal Gas. Developments in Chemical Engineering and Mineral Processing 11(3-4): 189-200. (Journal Article)
  • Dieste, A. and Williamson, C. (2002) Colour development in Pinus radiata D. Don under kiln-drying conditions. Christchurch, New Zealand: 9th Asian Pacific Confederation of Chemical Engineering Congress (APCChE 2002), 29 Sep-3 Oct 2002. In Green Processing & Sustainability: Proceedings of the 9th APCChE Congress and CHEMECA 2002 Paper no. 894 14 p. (Conference Contribution - Paper in published proceedings)
  • Williamson, C.J. (2002) Plant-wide Process Control by a Combined Controllability and Heuristic Synthesis Method. Vancouver, BC, Canada: 52nd Canadian Chemical Engineering Conference, 20-23 Oct 2002. http://csche2002.chemeng.ca/tech_program/00000147.htm. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • McElroy, P.J., Fang, J. and Williamson, C.J. (2001) Second and third virial coefficients for (methane + ethane + carbon dioxide). Journal of Chemical Thermodynamics 33(2): 155-163. doi:10.1006/jcht.2000.0726. (Journal Article)
  • Ababio, B.D., McElroy, P.J. and Williamson, C.J. (2001) Second and third virial coefficients for (methane + nitrogen). Journal of Chemical Thermodynamics 33(4): 413-420. doi:10.1006/jcht.2000.0727. (Journal Article)
  • Mackenzie, J.G. and Williamson, C.J. (2000) Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics: A Problem Solving and Multimedia Approach to Facilitate Teaching. Perth, Australia: CHEMECA 2000, 9-12 Jul 2000. In Proceedings of the 28th Australasian Chemical Engineering Conference (CHEMECA 2000) CD-Rom 131-137. (Conference Contribution - Paper in published proceedings)
  • Earl, W.B. and Williamson, C.J. (1999) Chemical Engineering Education and Research in New Zealand. Seoul, Korea: Proceedings of the 8th Asian Pacific Confederation of Chemical Engineering Congress (APCChE 99), August, 1999. 717--720. (Conference Contribution - Other)
  • Williamson, C. J., Caudwell, D. R. and Burton, R. J. (1999) Process Simulation for Engineered Wood Products. Christchurch, New Zealand: Capturing the Benefits of Forestry Research, Wood Technology Research Centre Workshop, 20 October, 1999. 38--43. (Conference Contribution - Other)
  • Williamson, C.J. (1999) Urea From Underground Coal Gas. Seoul, Korea: Proceedings of the 8th Asian Pacific Confederation of Chemical Engineering Congress (APCChE 99), August 1999. 1533--6. (Conference Contribution - Other)
  • Williamson, C. J. and Lei, R.J. (1998) Optimisation of methanol reactor operation. Port Douglas, Queensland, Australia: Proceedings of the 26th Australasian Chemical Engineers Conference (CHEMECA 98) - CD Rom, 28-30 September 1998. 9 pgs, Paper 82. (Conference Contribution - Other)
  • Williamson, C. J., Williams, S.D. and Winchester, J.A. (1998) Using a neural network to predict smog levels. Chemical Engineering in Australia 23(2): 13 -- 15. (Journal Article)
  • De, Meio L.A. and Williamson, C. J. (1997) A reactor control system selection expert system. Dunedin, New Zealand: Proceedings of the 1997 International Conference on Neural Information Processing and Intelligent Information Systems, November 1997. 947-950. (Conference Contribution - Other)
  • Williamson, C.J. (1997) Knowledge-based process synthesis. Wellington, New Zealand: Proceedings of the IPENZ Annual Conference, 1997. 14-16. (Conference Contribution - Other)
  • Williamson, C. J., Williams, S.D. and Winchester, J.A. (1997) Neural network pollution level prediction. Rotorua, New Zealand: Proceedings of the 25th Australasian Chemical Engineers Conference (CHEMECA 97) - CD Rom, 29 Sept.- 1 Oct, 1997. 8 pgs. (Conference Contribution - Other)