Senior Profile

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A team with successions of awards through USA

Our team includes Professor Mark Taylor, Professor Jim Metson, Professor Margaret Hyland and Professor John Chen with over two decades of experience in the areas of smelting technology, refining and finishing of light metals, particularly aluminium.

Honorary Professor, Mark Taylor, Director

Prior joined Light Metals, Mark was the Manager for implementing a $450m smelter upgrade at New Zealand Aluminium Smelter. He was appointed as General Manager for Boyne Smelter in Queensland and has published over 150 papers, over 40 publications. He is also the recipient of two Best Paper Awards at TMS and authored more than 300 technical reports. Mark offers substantial experience in aluminum smelter operation and new technology development.

Professor Jim Metson, Associate Director

Professor Metson's research work largely based in surface and materials science and extensive contact with the aluminium industry, including in the development of a new dry-scrubbing technology and studies of cell emissions, electrolyte chemistry and electrode reactivity. He presented more than 20 plenary and keynote lectures, has over 160 research publications and 70 technical reports, He is also the award winner of TMS 1994 and New Zealand Shell Prize for Industrial Chemistry in 1995.

David Cotton, Manager - Laboratory and Technical

David has been with the Centre since it was established in 2002. He is in charge of laboratory equipment design, installation and operation. This includes off-the-shelf hardware and developing new hardware & techniques where no ready-made solution exists. David's background is in process plant instrumentation and automation in several process industries.

Pretesh Patel, Manager- Europe & Gulf

Pretesh joined the Centre in 2006. His PhD study concentrated on understanding cathode wear in modern aluminium reduction cells. His work and areas of interests including cell materials development, process control and improvement mainly in primary aluminium smelters. Pretesh is also responsible for developing the Centre's training and education programme for clients.

Professor John JJ Chen, Management Committee

Professor Chen has published over 170 papers in international journals and conference proceedings, one patent and over 60 proprietary research reports. He is on the Light Metals Division and the Aluminium Committee of TMS and has received numerous awards including the best paper from TMS and IPENZ. His research interests include the modelling of the aluminium smelting process, the treatment of molten metal, and process control in potroom.

Professor, Margaret Hyland, Associate Director

Professor Hyland has been active in aluminium reduction technology research for more than 15 years, working with major international aluminium producers and suppliers. Her areas of interest are in environmental emissions and capture; chemical and mechanical properties of cathode and anode materials and development of new materials. She was the winner of 4 TMS Awards and has published over 60 papers and over 80 technical reports.

Pascal Lavoie, Chief Engineer

Pascal brings experience in various aluminium reduction technologies; from Söderberg to high amperage pre-bake. He holds integrated knowledge of aluminium production chain, process control and management systems. He has extensive experience in Continuous Improvement Systems implementation and teaching, including a Six Sigma Black Belt certification. Pascal also has experience in other light metals and steel production and transformation processes. He received the Young Leader Award from TMS Light Metals Division in 2006.

Mark Dorreen, Manager - Asia Pacific

Mark has broad heavy industrial experience, having worked on aluminium smelting projects in both potrooms and carbon plant rodding rooms, and in technical, logistic and commercial roles in electric arc furnace steelmaking. As well as managing the Asia and Australasia project portfolio, he leads the development of the Shell Heat Exchanger technology.

Ron Etzion, Manager, Modelling and Fundamental Research

Ronny has a background in Magnesium production and research. He joined the Centre in 2003 and did his PhD thesis on degradation of SiC refractory sidewall materials. He manages the modelling group and has worked on various projects including improvement of Söderberg cell technology, process control, development of new cell material, and development of alternative methods for aluminium production.