P004068 revised AU-VU:EOAS Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation

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 English AACR2 Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules Person created 2001-05-25 human Rosanne Walker updated 2026-02-05 human https://www.eoas.info/biogs/P004068b.htm person Williams George Kenneth AACR2 21 February 1896 6 April 1974 Place of Birth Tarnagulla, Victoria, Australia Place of Death Adelaide, South Australia, Australia Mechanical engineer Mining engineer Metallurgist George Kenneth Williams developed the continuous refining practice for which Port Pirie became famous. He began work in 1921 on the desilverising process and then progressively changed all the other batch refining operations to single team continuous processes by 1935. He then undertook plant scale research that led to the development of a single blast furnace to handle the entire throughput.

Educated University of Melbourne (BME 1920, MME 1925). DEng. Research from 1920 on development of new continuous process of refining lead, resulting in complete remodelling of plant at Port Pirie Lead Refinery; responsible for reorganisation of roast sintering plant and development of lead blast furnaces; Works Manager, Broken Hill Associated Smelters Pty Ltd 1942-48; Metallurgical Consultant, Imperial Smelting Corporation, England, from 1948. Bronze Medal, Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy 1942; Gold Medal, Institution of Mining and Metallurgy, London 1951.

1931 1931 Award - Kernot Memorial Medal, for distinguished engineering achievement in Australia. Faculty of Engineering, University of Melbourne Kernot Memorial Medal, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Melbourne (1926 - )

Awarded the Medal 1931 "... for modifying the processes of production at Port Pirie"

 The Institute Medal, Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (1935 - )

Awarded the Medal 1942. "In recognition of the outstanding merit of his contributions to the science of lead metallurgy, make through the invention, development and application of his process for continuous and full refining of silver-lead bullion, at the lead smeltery of the Broken Hill Associated Smelters, Port Pirie, South Australia. His process is the only method of continuous refining practised in the world of lead metallurgy today."

Wikidata

VIAF - Virtual International Authority File

 Williams, G K

Trove

 'Williams, George Kenneth', in Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation, Centre for Transformative Innovation, Swinburne University of Technology Williams, George Kenneth Swinburne University of Technology, Centre for Transformative Innovation Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation Book Section: Williams, George Kenneth (1896-1974), metallurgist Branagan, D. F. Williams, George Kenneth (1896-1974), metallurgist Melbourne Melbourne University Press 2002 Australian dictionary of biography, volume 16: 1940 - 1980 Pik-Z John Ritchie and Diane Langmore 551-552 Edited Book: They built South Australia : engineers, technicians, manufacturers, contractors and their work Cumming, D. A.; Moxham, G. C. They built South Australia : engineers, technicians, manufacturers, contractors and their work Adelaide D.A. Cumming and G.C Moxham 1986 Book: Engineering a Legacy: Memories of the journey of CSIRO Chemical Engineering Beale, Bob Engineering a Legacy: Memories of the journey of CSIRO Chemical Engineering Clayton, Victoria CSIRO Minerals 2005 Resource: Technology in Australia 1788-1988 Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering Technology in Australia 1788-1988 Online Melbourne Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre 2000