John G. Collier
Encyclopedia
John Gordon Collier FRS (22 January 1935 - 18 November 1995) was a British chemical engineer
and administrator, particularly associated with nuclear power
for electricity production. He started as an apprentice at Harwell
United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and rose to become chairman of UKAEA.
Collier was born 22 January 1935 in Streatham
, London
, and went to St Paul's School before joining the UKAEA as an apprentice. He studied part time for A-levels, then went to University College London
where he gained a first class degree in chemical engineering
in 1956.
He returned to UKAEA Harwell, and married a secretary from the establishment, Ellen, in 1956. They had two children, Clare and John. He left the UKAEA in 1962 for employment in the nuclear power industry in Canada and the UK, but returned to head its chemical engineering division in 1966, then became head of safety and reliability. During this time he published a book Convective Boiling and Condensation (1972) which became a standard reference. In 1983 he became director-general of the Central Electricity Generating Board CEGB
, but returned to the UKAEA as deputy chairman in 1986 and chairman in 1987. Following the breakup of the CEGB
and death of Sir Walter Marshall, in 1990 he became first chairman of the Barnwood
-based Nuclear Electric
.
He was a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering
(RAE) (1988) and a Fellow of the Royal Society
(1990). In 1993 he was President of the Institution of Chemical Engineers
(IChemE).
In commemoration, the John Collier medal is awarded biennially jointly by the RAE, Royal Society and IChemE.
He died in Sheepscombe, Gloucestershire
on 18 November 1995.
Chemical engineer
In the field of engineering, a chemical engineer is the profession in which one works principally in the chemical industry to convert basic raw materials into a variety of products, and deals with the design and operation of plants and equipment to perform such work...
and administrator, particularly associated with nuclear power
Nuclear power
Nuclear power is the use of sustained nuclear fission to generate heat and electricity. Nuclear power plants provide about 6% of the world's energy and 13–14% of the world's electricity, with the U.S., France, and Japan together accounting for about 50% of nuclear generated electricity...
for electricity production. He started as an apprentice at Harwell
Harwell
Harwell may refer to:*Harwell, Nottinghamshire, England*Harwell, Oxfordshire, England, a village**RAF Harwell, a World War II RAF airfield, near Harwell village....
United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and rose to become chairman of UKAEA.
Collier was born 22 January 1935 in Streatham
Streatham
Streatham is a district in Surrey, England, located in the London Borough of Lambeth. It is situated south of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.-History:...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, and went to St Paul's School before joining the UKAEA as an apprentice. He studied part time for A-levels, then went to University College London
University College London
University College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and the oldest and largest constituent college of the federal University of London...
where he gained a first class degree in chemical engineering
Chemical engineering
Chemical engineering is the branch of engineering that deals with physical science , and life sciences with mathematics and economics, to the process of converting raw materials or chemicals into more useful or valuable forms...
in 1956.
He returned to UKAEA Harwell, and married a secretary from the establishment, Ellen, in 1956. They had two children, Clare and John. He left the UKAEA in 1962 for employment in the nuclear power industry in Canada and the UK, but returned to head its chemical engineering division in 1966, then became head of safety and reliability. During this time he published a book Convective Boiling and Condensation (1972) which became a standard reference. In 1983 he became director-general of the Central Electricity Generating Board CEGB
CEGB
The Central Electricity Generating Board was the cornerstone of the British electricity industry for almost 40 years; from 1957, to privatisation in the 1990s....
, but returned to the UKAEA as deputy chairman in 1986 and chairman in 1987. Following the breakup of the CEGB
CEGB
The Central Electricity Generating Board was the cornerstone of the British electricity industry for almost 40 years; from 1957, to privatisation in the 1990s....
and death of Sir Walter Marshall, in 1990 he became first chairman of the Barnwood
Barnwood
Barnwood, in Gloucestershire, England is situated on the old Roman road that connects the City of Gloucester with Hucclecote, Brockworth and Cirencester....
-based Nuclear Electric
Nuclear Electric
Nuclear Electric was formed as a result of the privatisation of the UK Electricity Supply Industry.When the Central Electricity Generating Board was split up, its power stations were divided between PowerGen and National Power. The nuclear stations, Magnox, AGR and the then under construction...
.
He was a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering
Royal Academy of Engineering
-Overview: is the UK’s national academy of engineering. The Academy brings together the most successful and talented engineers from across the engineering sectors for a shared purpose: to advance and promote excellence in engineering....
(RAE) (1988) and a Fellow of the Royal Society
Royal Society
The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
(1990). In 1993 he was President of the Institution of Chemical Engineers
Institution of Chemical Engineers
The Institution of Chemical Engineers is a global professional engineering institution with over 33,000 members in over 120 countries worldwide, founded in 1922, and awarded a Royal Charter in 1957.-Structure:...
(IChemE).
In commemoration, the John Collier medal is awarded biennially jointly by the RAE, Royal Society and IChemE.
He died in Sheepscombe, Gloucestershire
Sheepscombe, Gloucestershire
Sheepscombe is a small village in Gloucestershire, south-east of Gloucester, north-east of Stroud, and east of Painswick, lying just off the A46 and B4070 roads. The first record of the village dates from around 1260, with the original name of Sebbescumbe - the name possibly comes from the names...
on 18 November 1995.
Publication
- J. G. Collier (1972) Convective Boiling and Condensation (McGraw-Hill, London)
- J. G. Collier and J. R. Thorne (1996) Convective Boiling and Condensation 3rd edition (Oxford University Press)ISBN 978-0-19-856296-2