J. Arthur Reavell

James Arthur Reavell (10 June 1872—26 August 1973) M.I.Mech.E., M.I.Chem.E., F.Inst.F., F.I.M. was a British chemical engineer, who created a major company and was one of the founders and a president of the Institution of Chemical Engineers.

Life Reavell was born 10 June 1872 in Alnwick, the son of George and Martha Reavell. He attended Alnwick Grammar School and Silcoates School. One of his sons, Brian Noble Reavell, was also a chemical engineer, and took over as chairman when he retired from his business in 1960.

Career He wanted to be a chemist, but instead served an apprenticeship in electrical engineering, and had several positions, rising to be manager for the European operations of an American chemical engineering company Worthington Pumps then manager of Manlove, Alliott & Co. Ltd., dealing with sugar refining, of which a particular aspect is evaporation. During the First World War his engineering expertise was applied to solving the shortage of explosives in a team headed by Lord Moulton.

Institutions As Chairman of the Chemical Engineering Group of the Society of Chemical Industry (SCI) he was one of the small group of enthusiasts who founded the Institution of Chemical Engineers, becoming its President 1929. and was its vice-president.