Ludo Zanzotto
Professor
NSERC/Husky Energy Industrial Research Chair in Bituminous Materials
P.Eng.
- Room: F278
- Telephone: (403) 220-8918
- Fax: (403) 282-7026
- E-mail: zanzotto [at] ucalgary [dot] ca
- M.Sc. (Bratislava, Czechoslov.)
- Ph.D. (Bratislava, Czechoslov.)
DR ZANZOTTO has a 33 year academic and industrial based international career as a researcher, a leader of research groups and a manager of research departments. His doctoral research was on the development of new scientific and engineering techniques for the characterization of bituminous materials and the development of epoxybitumens for special paving and roofing applications. Recent studies included the rheological properties of petroleum products, development of rheological testing equipment, studies of materials adhesion, development of the new lines of bituminous materials with improved engineering properties, technical support of start-ups of their commercial production, development of new technologies for the utilization of non-conventional bituminous and polymer materials, development of novel utilization of refining by-products and residues, development of the paving technologies for new bituminous materials.
The environmentally focused projects included the incineration of refinery off-gases, reclamation of amines from recovery of carbon dioxide from power plant flue-gases, cleaning the product and waste streams from the production of the carbon black, reduction of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides generated by burning natural fuels and reduction of hydrogen sulfide generated during refining processes.
The results of the research activities were implemented in refining and construction processes, and in commercialization of the slate of new construction materials and materials for specialty purposes. Fifteen patents and patent applications have been made and thirteen granted.
Current research interests and activities include:
1. Understanding of the basic properties of bituminous materials: This area includes studies on the relaxation processes in bitumens, linear and non-linear viscoelastic properties of bitumens and the relationship between the morphology and the rheology of the bituminous systems and their blends with modifiers.
2. Development of new materials and technologies for the construction industry: Development of new construction materials with the use of post-consumer plastic wastes, waste tires and development of more environmentally friendly paving technologies are some examples of this area.
3. Optimization of refining processes: This area includes effects of crude oil source and refining processes on the properties of bituminous materials, adhesion and aging properties of bituminous binders, and study of the characteristics of non-bituminous materials used in pavement construction and their impact on the properties of binders.
Professional Activities:
Dr. Zanzotto is a member of numerous international associations and serves as a chairman and member of different committees.