University of Waterloo
Engineering 6 (E6)
Phone: 519-888-4567
Staff and Faculty Directory
Contact the Department of Chemical Engineering
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Flora Ng is a Chemical Engineering Professor and a University Research Chair at the University of Waterloo.
Her research focuses on catalyst development for heavy oil upgrading and hydrocarbon conversion. Her team studies the kinetics and mechanism of local hydrogen generation from heavy oil emulsion. Research for water as a medium for hydrocarbon processing is also underway.
Professor Ng’s team has developed a process for the aldol condensation of acetone to diacetone alcohol using catalytic distillation. Catalytic distillation is a novel technology where reaction and separation occur in the same reactor. The group has developed mathematical models that could predict product yield and selectivity.
Reactive distillation (RD) processes are advantageous due to reduced capital costs and energy consumption, and higher reaction rates and selectivity. In conjunction with Dr. Rempel, Dr. Nkosi and her research team, Professor Ng developed a reactive distillation process to convert alkenes from low to high value, which is important for motor fuel and pharmaceutical production. This efficient invention involves depositing the catalyst on the inorganic oxide support structures, which prevents the need for secondary support structures typically associated with RD processes.
Professor Ng is also interested in the recycling of polymeric waste and has demonstrated that polyethylene pyrolysis could produce a premium cetane additive. Her team developed a novel approach to produce a premium diesel fuel (high cetane index and without sulfur) from polyethylene.
Sulfur content in gasoline and environmental concerns have inspired Professor Ng to make gasoline and diesel fuel sulfur-free. Her team pioneered the flow micro-calorimetric technique for determining the apparent heat of adsorption, sorbent capacity and the rate of adsorption.
As a result of her research work, Professor Ng, a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, received the 2013 Canadian Green Chemistry and Engineering Award, as well as the 2008 CIC Catalysis Award.
University of Waterloo
Engineering 6 (E6)
Phone: 519-888-4567
Staff and Faculty Directory
Contact the Department of Chemical Engineering
The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is centralized within our Indigenous Initiatives Office.