THE

EXCHAN
Tackling all the heated
ER
Chemical Engineering topics
The FIRST EDITION
of the CHEMS
Newsletter!

Reading this...
Infinitely more useful than
attempting to steal other
people’s assignments.

Page
 E D ITOR IAL
with Tom Hamilton,
CHEMS President
Welcome to the very first Chemical Engineering
Newsletter! The Exchanger is a biannual news-
letter published by the Chemical Engineering
Society for the students in the Chemical Engi-
neering Faculty (and yes that does include Phar-
maceutical Engineering students). Within this
magazine you‘ll find event information, engi-
neering tips, student/lecturer profiles, news-
trash, laughs, politically incorrect statements,
and most likely a few typos. We aim to stimu-
late the creative side of your engineering brain
and perhaps help solve some degree long ques-
tions, like: What hair product does Dr Z use?
What really is in the punch at Engineering
BBQs? Or what is fugacity? Please take the
time to read and if you have any commentary or
back-chat feel free to write to the editorial at
chemeng@auclubs.com.au.
This publication does not represent the views of the Adelaide University School of Chemical
Engineering. It is solely a publication by the Chemical Engineering Society Adelaide University.
with Kate Nelligan,
the editor/Secretary.
Hi, from your CHEMS Newsletter editor. This
year the CHEMS Committee has decided to do
something a little different—provide a newslet-
ter for the students! In my first and second
years, I often thought to myself—what does
CHEMS do for me? Why should I bother to pay
the membership fee? Within this newsletter,
you‘ll find all the answers. We on the CHEMS
committee organise all the events you take for
granted—ie industry night, pubcrawl and annual
dinner. The content of the newsletter is aimed to
provide useful information—it is not intended to
be offensive in anyway and we apologise if any
offence is caused. With that aside, I hope you
enjoy the content and we‘d love to hear your
feedback!
Page 2
 CHEMS
2010
New logo, new look. What‘s up and coming for CHEMS in 2010.
From Tom Hamilton, CHEMS President

Welcome to Chemical Engineering in 2010! A

world full of close up pictures of colourful test CHEMS
tubes, beakers and capsules (according to re- REMINDER:
spected sources, Google images and Chem Eng
Adelaide website). The committee has been hard
at work in the first half of the year, organising the
major social events for the year, including Indus-
try Night, Annual Dinner, AGM, and let‘s not
 PUBCRAWL
Date: 6 August
forget the pubcrawl. This year we‘ve worked Theme: ‗Plastercard‘ Priceless.
hard to raise over $5000 and I‘d like to thank the Shirts $20
committee for their groundwork in gaining spon- Venue: North Adelaide
sorships, and also take a moment to give a blatant
plug for our major sponsors Origin Energy and
United Utilities Australia!
 AGM PIZZA NIGHT
Date: 2 September
Industry Night was a resounding success this year, Free Pizza and beer.
with over 120 attendees, and 19 engineering com- Voting for next years committee
panies and institutions. The night gave students,
company representatives and members of the  Annual Dinner
faculty a chance to discuss opportunities for engi- Date: 10 September
neers in the working world. Also, to gain informa-
Venue: Sebel Playford,
tion about graduate and vacation positions. We
are grateful of the support of industry, students CHEMS subsidising $15 on tick-
and the school. ets for members.

The second half of the year is crammed with so-

cial events including for the first time an Annual
 4th year BBQ
Date: Thursday 14 October
General Meeting Pizza night. This year looks to
Free for fourth years.
be a great year for Chem Eng , make sure you get
involved! ■

Theme for pubcrawl 2010:

 Soccer match vs Petro Engies
Date: To be confirmed.
Pint at the Unibar: $5
Perry’s Chemical Engi-
neering Handbook: $140
Chemical Engineering
Degree: $40,000
Drunk times on the
Chem Eng Pubcrawl:
Priceless

Page 3
BEEN THERE,
DONE THAT!
Tales from the graduate, the post grad student and the professor.

Page 4

THE
GRADUATE
From Origin.
Job diversity, a focus on sustain-
ability and an exciting future
were just some of the reasons
that attracted Graduate Engi-
neer, Shannon Nankivell, to
Origin.
Shannon, 24, started with Origin‘s Major Devel-
opment Projects (MDP) department in September
2008 as a Graduate Engineer. MDP develops and
constructs major projects including power sta-
tions, pipelines, off and on-shore gas develop-
ments and renewable and low emission technolo-
gies – all around Australia. Having completed a
Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical) and a Bache-
lor of Law with Adelaide University, Shannon
was looking for a diverse role and to further his
skills with a ―good corporate citizen.‖
“Not only is Origin one of the largest electricity
and gas retailers in the country, it‟s very hard to
find an organisation that is as committed to sus-
tainable development and operating with a good
corporate conscience as Origin. Working for a
good corporate citizen is something I feel
strongly about and Origin is also the leading
provider of „green‟ energy, that is, energy sup-
plied by renewable generation. Working for a
company that is actually „doing‟ renewable en-
ergy as opposed to simply „talking‟ about it is a
great opportunity for any young engineer,” said
Shannon.
No two days are the same when working in the
busy Major Development Project‘s department, as
Shannon has discovered. Shannon‘s role com-
prises a range of tasks which are critical to devel-
oping a successful career, including writing posi-
tion papers and reports, reviewing proposals and
designs from contractors and consultants, under-
taking option studies for equipment and site se-
lection, and generally providing engineering sup-
port for our development and project teams. “The
business is so diverse, even working within one
business unit has thrown up multiple challenges
and tasks, so it‟s very hard to define what an
average day for an engineer at Origin would look
like!” said Shannon. ―From undertaking high
level design and costing of a conceptual solar
power station to drawing a floor plan for a con-
trol building to drafting, to reviewing a tender
package or construction contract, the challenges
are endless and “every week at Origin seems to
bring a little more variety ,” Shannon explains.
Shannon hasn‘t yet decided whether to take his
engineering career in a more technical direction,
or follow the commercial side of the business.
“Origin has a strong history of promoting from
within, and I feel comfortable that whichever
pathway I choose, Origin will provide me with
appropriate opportunities and support along the
way,” said Shannon.
Shannon offers this advice for prospective gradu-
ates: “Be honest with yourself and prospective
employers. Don‟t apply with companies where
you won‟t be satisfied performing for two or three
years. Find the companies that are doing things
you are interested in, and do some research about
those companies. Showing you are knowledge-
able and interested in a company and their activi-
ties will come across as genuine and promising to
those interviewing you.”
In 2010 Origin recruited 46 graduates from a
range of disciplines. Joining Origin will not only
kick start your career, their graduate entry sala-
ries are competitive and continuously bench-
marked, they have an Employee Share Plan and
offer great salary sacrifice options for laptops,
superannuation and your Origin gas and electric-
ity bills. Origin has established an ongoing
graduate development program that includes
technical and industry-specific training, as well
as modules of our Leadership Development
Program. Most importantly, Origin‘s Graduate
Program is a vital part of the company‘s strategy
for recognising and rewarding up-and-coming
talent.
Find out more about our graduate program link
to: http://www.originenergy.com.au/1781/
Graduates ■
Page 5
THE
POST
GRAD
UATE
with Brendan
Moore
Name: Anne Philcox Age:28
Where did you do your bachelors degree?
Adelaide University
Why did you pick Chemical Engineering?
I liked Maths, Physics and Chemistry in high
school and it seemed to offer the best combination
of those subjects.
If you hadn’t done Chemical Engineering what
else would you have done?
I initially thought about doing Environmental
Science.
What are your interests outside of Uni?
I am really interested in Gliding. I‘ve been doing it
since 2004 after a mate got me an Air Experience
Flight as a birthday present. My involvement with
my club has strengthened over the years and I‘m
now an Instructor for new glider pilots.
What is your PhD topic?
Good Question… lets say ―Determining the
mechanism of decomposition of a particular flame
retardant in polypropylene‖
What is your favourite movie and why?
I‘d have to say Kick Ass at the moment, purely for
the fact that it‘s not only hilarious but somewhat
inspirational as well. It‘s also the latest thing I‘ve
seen… well I saw Robin Hood but I fell asleep
through it.
Finish this sentence: Studying Chemical Engi-
neering is like… tearing your hair out! Starts off
all good and gets Crazy pretty quickly.
Reasons Chemical Engineering is cool:
a. It‘s the most impressive and hardest form of
Engineering.
b. You can tell people you know how to make
bombs.
c. Pretty good pay when you eventually get to
industry.
d. Greatly benefits society with out having to
become a doctor and deal with blood and guts
Reasons Chemical Engineering sucks:
Its caused me to have a near nervous breakdown in
final year and the fact I‘ve been at uni for 10
years!
Your least favourite subject?
Industrial Economics and Management
Your favourite subject?
Process Control. (Really?) Yes, Really!
Which would you consider yourself a bigger fan
of CSTR, PFR or Batch Reactor?
Definitely a CSTR.
My copy of Perry’s is Best used for:
 Propping up a VERY VERY wobbly table.
 Building upper arm strength.
 As a deadly weapon.
 For everything Chem Eng Related.
 Nothing… I don‘t have one.
Hmmmm im gonna say,
 Useful as a dampener for my sound system to
―Awesomise‖ the sound quality!
When I grow up I want to be just like… Alex
Mac (from ABC‘s series Alex Mac… that girl
who could melt into a puddle because she was
exposed to toxic waste… *starts singing theme
song*) ■
Page 6
THE
PROFESSOR
For those of you who would
like to know a bit more about
our Head of School.
Professor Mark J. Biggs, who received his PhD in
1996 from The University of Adelaide, recently
returned to Adelaide to take up Head of School.
Prior to returning to Australia in December 2008,
he held a number of academic posts in the UK,
including at Surrey University (just south of Lon-
don) and most recently at The University of Edin-
burgh. He also held a visiting lectureship at the
University of Stuttgart from 2000-2007 where he
delivered a Masters-level course in process ther-
modynamics. He is the recipient of a prestigious
Royal Academy of Engineering/Leverhulme Sen-
ior Research Fellowship (2007-2008) and is a age of natural gas and hydrogen at densities at
current member of the Australian Research Coun- modest pressures and temperatures sufficient for
cil‘s College of Experts. Professor Biggs is a pio- transport applications), and separations (e.g. cap-
neer and world-leader in molecular and mesoscale ture of viruses and bacteria in porous media)
modeling of interfacial systems including protein amongst many others (e.g. formation of drug en-
adsorption, nanoporous carbons, flows in porous capsulates using microfluidics). Although his
media, and multiphase flows, including liquid- work is primarily modelling-focused, he does
liquid, solid-liquid and granular flows. This work have an experimental program in the fluids area
has many potential applications ranging from (laser-based methods) and collaborates with other
bionanotechnology (e.g. use of designed peptides experimentalists in the UK, Spain and the US. ■
to self-assemble complex nanosystems such as
molecular electronics), energy storage (e.g. stor-

Jokes
Two new elements have been discovered one
called woman and the other, man.
Element Woman
Symbol: Wo
Atomic weight: 65kg (more or less)
with Dotun Adesina
Physical Properties:
Generally round in form, Boils at nothing and may
freeze anytime, Melts when treated properly by
element man and Very bitter if not used well
Chemical Properties:
Very attractive, Possess strong affinity to dia-
monds, gold, and other precious stones., Violent
when angered, Ages rapidly
Usage:
Highly ornamental, An extremely good catalyst
for disintegration of wealth and Arguably the most
powerful income reducing agent known to men.
Caution:
Highly explosive in inexperience hands
Element Man
Symbol: XY
Atomic weight: 80kg (more or less)
Physical Properties:
Generally muscular and dense, Difficult to find
pure sample, Get solid when excited but easily
getsbent out of shape
Chemical Properties:
Attempts to bond with Wo at any chance it gets,
Tends to form strong bonds with himself, Basic—
neutralize by saturating with alcohol.
Usage:
None really, but likes his footy, Can be used for
kicking ass.
Caution:
In the absence of Wo, this element can decompose
rapidly and might begin to ammonialize. ■

Page 7
 SOCIAL PAGES
Industry Night 2010

Page 8
CHEMS MEMBER PROFILES... With Olivia D’Arrigo
My name is...Tom Sheldrick.
but my friends call me ....Tom, but you
can't - you're not my friend.
My favourite song of all time....is the
Cantina Song from Star Wars.
I'm studying Chemical engineering
with finance because...I didn't think I'd
like Chem Eng so thought I may as well
have 2 degrees.
My favourite lecturer is…Stuart John-
son because he's an absolute riot and
always in shorts.
When I grow up I want to be....A Poké-
mon Master....or at least a gym leader.
If I could live anywhere it would
be...The cupboard under the stairs, 4
Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey,
England.
I wish I had....studied for that engineer-
ing math’s test.
One thing that really annoys
me....People who fart in packed lectures/
CATS.
I've always wondered....Why Arts
students bother enroll in university...what
a waste of time/money!
If I could have one superpower it
would be...Invisibility (insert perverted
joke here).
If I wasn't me I'd like to be...a famous
musician, unless it meant being an ex-
idol contestant.

My name is...Michael Hill I wish I had.... more money

but my friends call me ....Usually just One thing that really annoys me....is
Hill waking up early
My favourite song of all time.... Too I've always wondered....how the uni-
many to choose, probably at the moment, verse was created
vampire weekend, oxford comma If I could have one superpower it
I’m studying Chemical engineering for would be...the ability to manipulate fire
the promising career opportunities If i wasn't me I'd like to be...the lead
Favourite lecturer is.... Mark Biggs singer of a band
because....he genuinely seems to care
whether we do well or not
When i grow up i want to be.... suc-
cessful
My last meal would be.... Steak
If I could live anywhere it would be...
Rome

My name is... Zhi Lin Oh dessert!

but my friends call me .... Zhi
I’m studying chemical engineering
and economics because...it is chal-
lenging
Favourite lecturer is.... Dr. Ngothai,
because.... she shows concern for
students and she's very organized and
has awesome lecture notes and the
tutes have good questions that stimu-
lates critical thinking skills
When i grow up i want to be.... a
superhero with chemical engineering
powers to save the world
My last meal would be.... a good
steak at gaucho's
and ice cream for
If I could live anywhere it would
be... anywhere with my family
I wish I had.... the ability to make a
difference
One thing that really annoys me.... 8
o’clock lectures :D - need sleep :(
I've always wondered.... what its like
to be a chemical engineering student,
now i know! its tough!
If I could have one superpower it
would be... to be able to levitate
If i wasn't me I'd like to be... my dad,
he's pretty amazing.

My name is… James

My friends call me… Moshy
I’m studying… Law and chem eng
My favourite lecturer is… Zeyhad – hair/accent
combo
When I grow up I want to be… a freelancer
Last meal… Mayo chips
I wish I had… A job
One thing that really annoys me… child actors
I’ve always wondered… if New Zealand…
where is “Zealand”
If I could have one super power it would be…
levitation
If I wasn’t me I’d like to be… ME!

Page 9
Thumbs Up
The guy on the bike that says BEEP.
He makes me smile.
The number 8. For being the
74th decimal place of pi.
Perry's. For being everything
I could ask for in a book
Free Fairy Floss. Apart from
the alliteration just a great
win at Eng BBQs.
Bkons over use of pre-2000
Microsoft Office Clip Art
Left over lasagne.
Made a great lunch
on Thursday.
Bernoulli. For providing
such a handy equation.
The suggestion of"Un-Casual
Fridays" for uni students. Made by
yours truly, just then, but that would
be fun to have us all looking amazing!
Thumbs Down
Civil Engineers.
They're just glorified concreters.
Alice's red hair
UGG boots at uni. Just no.
Tom Hamilton's (CHEMS
President) dad jokes. He's
the only one that ever laughs.
Fairly tall cupboards.
Cant trust them.
GFC. Fairly obvious one
but I'm not a fan.
Mickey Mouse. Just
havent seen or heard
much from him lately
With Ed Williams— the eternal optimist who
sheds some light on the funnier sides of Uni life.

CHEER UP KIDS! What type of Chemical

With Melissa El Khouri Engineer are you?
We all want our 4 (or 5) year engineering degree
to make us rich and successful one day. However,
the recent economic crisis has stressed us out and START
HERE
 Do you have
made us doubtful of the promising future we had a Santos
originally anticipated. Our sources, however, water bottle?
suggest there is no need to worry! Chemical engi-   Do you wear
neering graduates in Australia are offered an aver-
age salary of $60,000/year in 2010; an increase of Do you steel capped
enjoy wine
$5,000/year compared to salaries of 2008. Simi- tasting?  boots to uni?
larly, an average minimum salary for Pharmaceu- Do you 
tical (Process) Engineers and Petroleum Engineers  want to 
is $55,000/year (2007) and $60,000/year (2005), save the
respectively. Considering moving interstate? Just world?
look at the map provided! Although jobs in WA
Do you 
think with Do you al-
seem to provide the highest salaries, other states your ways hang
also offer competitive wages on the chemical stomach? out by the
engineering market!  chem labs?

 

Food Environmental Energy Pharmaceutical
and Wine

Brought to you by Steph Tyszta

and Linda Tran ■

Page 10
GIRLS AND BOYS, TAKE NOTE:
10 (plus one) tips for securing that job you really want...
With Nick Gooding

ED: Nick has completed 6 months of work experience with BP in Perth and Neumanns Petroleum in Bris-
bane and recently scored a dream job in Melbourne with ExxonMobil. Here is some words of wisdom from
Nick on how to get that job you want the most....

Getting through Chem Eng is one thing, but during each year there is something else that hangs over all
students like a dark cloud... Getting work. After a few years of applying for vacation and graduate positions,
the CHEMS committee has come up with their top ten tips for success. We can‘t guarantee you work from
them, but if you follow these steps you will be well on your way...

Before you apply...

1. Do your research. Look up all of the companies with openings (Graduate applications
start at the start of Feb and Vac positions usually open around May). Work out what
positions you will be eligible for and if you would really like to work for the com-
pany. You won‘t get the job if you don‘t like the position.
2. Get involved. Start now. Companies don‘t just look at HD averages. Make sure you do
extracurricular activities (sport, charity, professional or university societies) and you
immerse yourself in them. They‘ll know if you‘re just doing it for the resume.
3. Learn from experiences. Keep a log of all situations/experiences/ achievements which
really made an impact on you at work, uni or personally. These will come in handy
when you start to prepare for interviews. Trust me.

Writing your resume....

4. Be genuine. Don‟t churn out tons of generic cover letters which you only change the
name for. Make the effort to write about why you want to work for them specifically
and the projects you are interested in. Applications take time; so take it.
5. Promote yourself. You may not feel comfortable about talking yourself up, but remem-
ber that this is the only chance you have to make yourself stand out from the other
1000 applications and tell them who you really are and what you do—be modest, but
accurate.
6. Ask your friends. There‘s no better critic then your mates. If they don‘t think something
sounds right, they‘ll tell you.

The interview...
7. Prepare. Research the company and learn what they do, what operations you will be
involved in, their ethos on safety/environment/development and think about what you
really like about them.
8. Prepare. Write down every question you could possibly think of getting asked (ie. What
is a time you failed and couldn‘t redeem the situation?‘) and practice your response.
Over and over and over but make sure it doesn‘t sound rehearsed.
9. Relax. Be yourself. They want to see that you can cope in pressure situations. Like in an
interview.
10. Be keen. Show them that you really want this job. They want someone committed to
the company so you really need to show them you want it.
10 plus one. Enjoy. Interviewers and recruitment days are usually very easy going and
give you a chance to learn a lot about the company. Enjoy the experience as it can be
fun and rewarding. Hey, you got there didn‘t you?

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