The Unit Ops Lab has been the central teaching facility for Chemical Engineering at the University of Toronto since 1949, with a tradition of providing students with training in technologies and processes that are directly relevant to the wide range of chemical engineering industries.
The photos below give a glimpse of the lab through the decades.
The Wallberg Building, future home of the Unit Ops Lab, under construction in 1946/7. Source: U of T Archives
The Wallberg Buidling shortly after completion, ca. 1948. Source: U of T Archives
Cornerstone Ceremony
Premier George A. Drew lays the cornerstone for the Wallberg Memorial Building on June 5, 1947. Source: U of T Archives
Opening Ceremony
The opening ceremony of the Wallberg Memorial Building on Dec 2, 1948 was attended by several dignitaries.
From left to right: U of T Chancellor Vincent Massey, Governor-General of Canada Viscount Alexander, Lady Alesander, O.D. Vaughan, member of the board of governors, and President Sidney Smith.
Source: Globe and Mail, Dec 3, 1949
(U of T Archives)
The Unit Ops Lab in 1949, shortly after the opening of the Wallberg Building.
The lab’s facilities included a gas absorption tower (left), liquid-liquid extraction column (centre left), 25′ fractionating still (centre right) and climbing film evaporator (right).
Source: Chemistry in Canada, Dec 1949 (U of T Archives)
The Unit Ops Lab in 1949.
The Struthers-Wells experimental triple effect evaporator was an imporant addition to the Department’s equipment at that time.
Source: Chemistry in Canada, Dec 1949 (U of T Archives)
Canada’s first subcritical teaching reactor
In 1958, the Unit Ops Lab became the home of Canada’s first subcritical nuclear reactor for teaching purposes. This addition to chemical engineering training addressed the increasing need for nuclear engineers in this rapidly-growing sector.
On the right, Dr. F. Allen, the reactor supervisor, operates the reactor with a student.
Source: U of T Archives
