Dr Nigel Brown is the Founder Director of Arvia Technology – a company based in north-west England which has patented an innovative method of removing micro-pollutants from water.
Dr Brown’s extensive scientific knowledge combined with practical experience make him one of the world’s leading authorities on the removal of micro pollutants from water and wastewater.
Trained in chemical engineering and environmental engineering, Dr Brown has had a far-reaching global career in the water industry which has included work in India, Canada, China, Italy and the US.
After university he spent 7 years as an international water and effluent troubleshooter for Foseco, ensuring the company fulfilled its obligations on water treatment around the world. He then joined as Process Engineering Manager for Simon Hartley Limited, a company specialising in the manufacture and design of effluent plants and equipment. Later, as an independent consultant he specialised in water management and wastewater treatment – which sparked his interest in improving traditional methods of removing toxic chemicals.
The technology at the core of Arvia was developed at the University of Manchester, where Dr Brown, working with Dr Ted Roberts, was a research fellow in the department of Chemical Engineering and Analytical Science.
- What are you looking forward to explaining to the audience?
What I get excited about is the journey from initial research in my garage laboratory through academic research at the University of Manchester to the creation of Arvia Technology to exploit it. It is describing both how the technology works and the benefits that this can give to potential customers.
- Why did you decide to do a webinar with Business Review Webinars?
In our search for a webinar company to help us share our message, Business Review Webinars have shown to deliver a wide cross section of high quality and interested participants from across the globe.
- What has been the best moment in your career?
I think the best moment was the decision to go independent and work as a researcher and consultant. The ability to undertake my own research and find the means to support that was an exciting time. It was the initial stages of what was to become Arvia Technology.
- What’s the best book you’ve ever read and would recommend?
The Lord of the Rings has to be the best book I have ever read. The vastness of the storyline combined with the imagination and creativity. It is just epic!
- What motivates you?
To me it’s the application of knowledge. Taking all the research I do from an idea and being able to apply it to solve real problems. I like to sit on the academic and industrial interface and try to apply new ideas to solve problems.
6. Why are you particularly interested in the environmental side of things?
I particularly enjoy the outdoors so being able to address environmental issues is a real driver. The impact of humans on the environment is becoming increasingly significant, anything we can do to mitigate that is worthwhile.
7. What are you looking to achieve in the future in your personal and professional life?
In my professional life it is to see further large scale Arvia installations extending the process into disinfection, which is an exciting new development. Personally, the cost of getting the kids through university will be a major achievement.
8. How did you get into the industry and what do you most enjoy about your role?
By chance I worked with a company that assigned me a project in the water industry, which made me the company expert in this area. I was then given lots of other water problems to solve, which I very much enjoyed. The research side of the role is the most enjoyable. Being able to play in the lab is precious time, so it would be great to have more time to do that, but at this stage the main thing is to share what problems Arvia can already solve.
9. What has been your best holiday and where would you recommend visiting?
Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. That was so fantastic I have been 3 times. You get drenched with the spray. As its so wet there is rainforest all around and the water creates an amazing mist.
10. What’s the most useful thing someone has taught you?
There is nothing stopping you pursuing your goals. Continue doing what you want to, until told otherwise. Senior Engineer I worked with in my first job called David Wilks.
inda Zellner is Project Manager, Innovation – Materials and others at Perstorp, a position she has held since 2011, when she joined Perstorp. She coordinates cross-functional innovation projects within Green chemistry and Bioplastics, working with internal and external partners on a global level. Her main responsibilities include project planning, developing marketing strategies and creating new competitive products within the targeted segments.
