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About SysCAD

The SysCAD software is a robust and versatile process plant modelling package that helps with both daily management and operations, and becomes a comprehensive source of knowledge for process plants going forward. SysCAD is used throughout the lifecycle of a project – from feasibility studies to plant design, control system design and testing, commissioning, in-plant process optimisation, planning – and as an operations tool.

As owners and developers of the software, we provide training, as well as general and specialist modelling services to our clients.

SysCAD software had its origins in 1985 as one of the engineering software products developed by Kenwalt, which was established in South Africa in 1983 and began expanding into Australia in 1994. Today KWA Kenwalt Australia is the principal business for SysCAD.

SysCAD transitioned from an in-house software tool for the South African engineering business to a software product during the 1990s when the software was rewritten for Windows operating systems and the business expanded into Australia.

SysCAD software’s licensing model includes various options, and includes a variety of add-ons, enabling tailored solutions for specific industries.

Our principal activities are focused on:

  • the ongoing improvement of the SysCAD software;
  • support of our SysCAD user base;
  • provision of simulation and related process engineering services
SysCAD Global Users

Our Industry Experience

SysCAD software has been used by the developers in conjunction with companies around the world across many industries, including:

Alumina, Potash, Mineral Sands, Nickel, Lithium, Uranium, Iron Ore, Magnesium, Precious Metals, Base Metals, Chemicals, Sugar and more.

Our Team

Our core team is passionate about improving the SysCAD software capabilities for our users. KWA Kenwalt Australia was established in 1997 and has an internationally dispersed team.

Chris Moreton

Chris Moreton

Software Engineer

Christopher Moreton is a director of KWA Kenwalt Australia. Chris is an electrical engineer with over thirty-five years of experience designing and implementing engineering software. He was a founding member of Kenwalt in South Africa and has been involved in the development of the SysCAD simulation software from the conceptual stage. Chris is the lead software developer for the SysCAD product. He has been responsible for developing many innovative capabilities in SysCAD and has often worked on challenging projects where new functionality is required. Chris has been with the team since 1997.

Keith Armstrong

Keith Armstrong

Software Engineer

Keith Armstrong is managing director of KWA Kenwalt Australia. Keith is an electrical engineer with over twenty-five years of experience developing engineering software. He has been a key member of the SysCAD development team from the start of the development of the Windows version and is responsible for managing SysCAD development and product commercialisation since 2002. His chief focus being in the development of functionality in SysCAD to meet customer needs. He has been involved in steady state and dynamic model development for a broad range of industries. Keith also has extensive experience in providing product support. Keith has been with the team since 1997.

Merry Huang

Merry Huang

Simulation Engineer

Merry Huang is a chemical engineer with twenty years of experience in the engineering field with her main area of interest being in plant simulation. She has been involved in steady state and dynamic model development for a broad range of industries, including alumina, nickel, magnesium, mining development and hydrocarbon projects. Merry provides a key role in developing and maintaining SysCAD online documentation and updating training manuals. She also has extensive experience in providing training and support. Merry is part of the team testing SysCAD and defining improved functionality for inclusion in software updates. Merry has been with the team since 1997.

Hayley Armstrong

Hayley Armstrong

Business Systems

Hayley Armstrong is the company secretary of KWA Kenwalt Australia since 2017 and has more than twelve years of experience in managing and maintaining office and business systems. She has over twenty years of experience working with software development primarily with VBA programming. Hayley is responsible for implementing, maintaining and managing Kenwalt’s Business and Administrative systems. These systems include Accounting, IT, Administration and General Office Systems. Hayley has provided assistance on several SysCAD projects, specialising in SysCAD Excel interfaces for data management, integrated solutions, model input and reporting. Hayley has been with the team since 2003.

John McFeaters

John McFeaters

Simulation Consultant

Dr. John McFeaters is a director of KWA Kenwalt Australia. He has a PhD in Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University and more than thirty years experience in engineering. Over the last twenty years his work has been focused on process simulation, optimisation and energy management in minerals and process industries. Prior to joining Kenwalt, he held various management and Principal Consultant roles in the alumina industry and was a founder of Transcritical Technologies, which merged with Kenwalt. He taught engineering and did research in materials synthesis and energy management at the University of Auckland for ten years. John is a specialist in alumina modelling, process engineering and dynamic simulation. He also has extensive experience in providing training and support. John has been with the team since 2005.

Rod Stephenson

Rod Stephenson

Simulation Consultant

Dr. Rod Stephenson is a director of KWA Kenwalt Australia. He has a PhD in Applied Mathematics from the California Institute of Technology and over thirty years of experience in engineering. He has been working in process simulation and software development for the last twenty years and is a specialist in the development of unit operation and property models. He was a founder of Transcritical Technologies which was merged with Kenwalt. Before that he was director of an engineering company specializing in high pressure gas compression and heat transfer equipment and working between New Zealand and Sweden he was heavily involved in starting the biogas industry in Europe. Prior to that he taught engineering at Carnegie Mellon University and then at the University of Auckland. Rod has been with the team since 2005.

Peter Marsh

Peter Marsh

Simulation Engineer

Dr. Peter Marsh is a chemical engineer with over twenty years of experience in various industries. Peter has had experience in programming, risk assessment and equipment testing, prior to working in the process simulation field. He has been working with SysCAD software for over ten years including steady state and dynamic model development for a broad range of processes including heap leaching, water management, magnetite processing, submerged arc furnaces and production planning. He also has extensive experience in training, client support and the writing of testing protocols and reports. Peter is part of the team testing SysCAD, updating online documentation and defining improved functionality for inclusion in software updates. Peter has been with the team since 2007.

Peter Bath

Peter Bath

Simulation Engineer

Dr. Peter Bath is a process engineer with forty years of experience in industries including alumina, iron ore, uranium, transport and natural gas. Peter is an experienced developer of software for simulation, optimisation and financial analysis. In twenty-five years with Kaiser Engineers and Hatch he used SysCAD software for steady state and dynamic modelling of Greenfields Projects and for operational support of existing facilities. Peter works on maintenance and improvement of SysCAD unit models and on developing models for new applications, as well as providing training, client support and project services. Peter has been with the team since 2016.

Kevin Heppner

Kevin Heppner

Simulation Engineer

Dr. Kevin Heppner is a chemical engineer with over twelve years of experience in uranium and various industries. He is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Saskatchewan. Kevin has experience in simulation of hydrometallurgical plants, steam generators, water treatment processes, corrosion mechanisms and other processes. He has developed plant models to support production capacity, environmental impact and process modification assessments. Prior to joining Kenwalt, he held various technical roles in the mining and power generation industries, both R&D and operational. Kevin is part of the SysCAD software development team, with a focus on developing and integrating detailed high fidelity chemical thermodynamic calculations in SysCAD. He works with the team marketing SysCAD, providing training, customer support and process simulation services. Kevin has been with the team since 2018.

Daniel Manche

Daniel Manché

Simulation Engineer

Dan Manché is a chemical engineer with over ten years of experience in industry as a user of SysCAD. He is an expert in bauxite and alumina processing and has applied process modelling expertise throughout the operational lifecycle: from R&D and technical assistance to process design and plant expansion. He has extensive experience in providing SysCAD training and project support globally in a range of industries. He is also involved in the development of SysCAD with a focus on additional functionality and improved user experience. Dan has been with the team since 2019.