By Eamonn Ryan
Eugene Le Roux, a seasoned with nearly five decades of experience, reflects on his journey through various areas of technical expertise.
Eugene le Roux, attending the SAIRAC Evapco factory visit
in April. © RACA Journal
Born in Uitenhage, near Queenstown in the Eastern Cape, Le Roux’s early fascination with technical concepts was evident from a tender age. This ultimately led him to spend 30 years at Armscor, covering a wide array of responsibilities but with vehicle air conditioning being a central interest.
During his formative years in Uitenhage, at the age of 12 he found himself captivated by the intricacies of electricity, a spark that ignited his lifelong passion for engineering. Throughout his high school years,
Le Roux delved into experiments with electrical sets and transistors, laying the groundwork for his future endeavours.
“After completing my army training in Grahamstown, I embarked on an academic journey, eventually finding my way to Stellenbosch University to pursue mechanical engineering – thanks to a bursary. While my initial focus was not specifically on air conditioning, my studies heavily emphasised thermodynamics and heat transfer – subjects that would later become instrumental in an exploration of HVAC systems.”
Reflecting on his academic pursuits, Le Roux recalls the significance of heat transfer as a foundational aspect of air conditioning and refrigeration. While the subject may not have been as expansive in his earlier years, his thirst for knowledge led him to deepen his understanding of heat transfer in recent times. He recognises the pivotal role of this knowledge in unravelling the complexities of energy processes, highlighting the interconnectedness of various engineering disciplines.
Throughout his career, Le Roux’s commitment to continuous learning and adaptation has been evident. His willingness to delve into the nuances of HVAC systems, coupled with an innate curiosity and analytical mindset, has enabled him to enjoy a wide-ranging career within the fast-evolving landscape of mechanical engineering.
As Le Roux shares his insights and experiences, it is clear that his journey is far from over. With each passing year, he remains steadfast in his pursuit of knowledge, embracing new challenges with a sense of curiosity and determination that defines his remarkable career in engineering. “I like to think of myself as a lifelong learner and passionate educator, in a career that included being a lecturer for three and a half years at Port Elizabeth Technikon teaching chiefly thermodynamics, hydraulics and electrical subjects. I had an almost insatiable curiosity and a deep-seated desire to impart knowledge.”
As a lecturer, he found fulfilment in elucidating complex theories and principles to eager minds, a role he embraced with enthusiasm. “I believe I had an innate ability to simplify intricate concepts and convey them with a clarity which resonated with students. This in turn fostered a culture of curiosity and dedication within the classroom,” he explains.
Supplied by Le Roux
However, the allure of practical engineering eventually drew him away from academia, prompting him to seek hands-on experience in the field. He spent three years at the Ford car factory in Port Elizabeth involved in product development for aircon, engine cooling and rear axles – the latter, he explains, having a considerable cooling component due to the heat generated. There were the inevitable setbacks with certain projects, such as an early unsuccessful air conditioning system for the Ford Cortina, but he says, “learning from failures and gaining practical experience in problem-solving was invaluable”.
The bulk of his career was spent at Armscor (33.5 years) as a system engineer on the Rooikat armoured car. At Armscor,
Le Roux gained invaluable insights into product development and engineering challenges, albeit shrouded in confidentiality due to the nature of the work.
“Developing air conditioning systems for armoured vehicles is a unique challenge due to their compact design and internal heat sources. My experience on the Rooikat spanned over two decades, and presented a distinct challenge due to its design, wherein the driveline and engine were enclosed within the vehicle’s shell, leading to the accumulation of heat. Our collaboration with local contractors led to the development of an air-conditioning system capable of operating under these extreme conditions, requiring approximately 19 kilowatts of cooling capacity,” he says.
Le Roux describes the multifaceted nature of heat generation within the vehicle, ranging from engine heat to the heat generated by occupants and ammunition. He emphasises the need to devise cooling solutions that accommodate the varying heat profiles of different areas within the vehicle, particularly the challenge of cooling the driver positioned at the vehicle’s front – a significant distance from the engine.
“This often necessitated unconventional approaches, such as utilising thin refrigerant pipes with small evaporators instead of traditional ducting. Managing the complexity of heat transfer and ventilation within the vehicle’s compact confines requires careful consideration of factors like sunlight exposure and occupant activity.”
He lists career highlights, citing recognition received for his contributions to various projects, notably the design reviews conducted on the Rooikat armoured car subsystems; his involvement in system engineering, particularly in project baseline management, which led to accolades for the development of a tugboat in Cape Town.
Despite these achievements, Le Roux acknowledges challenges encountered throughout his career, including the theoretical nature of engineering education at university, which he believes could benefit from a greater emphasis on practical application. He critiques the tendency to teach subjects in isolation, emphasising the importance of integrating thermodynamics and heat transfer more effectively to enhance understanding and application in engineering practice.
Chief of army accolade. Supplied by Le Roux
Having retired from Armscor but still consumed with zest for life, thereafter came Le Roux’s entrepreneurial ventures – leading him to establish his own business where he to this day continues to apply his expertise in mechanical engineering to real-world applications. His ventures into various industries – from air conditioning to gas pipelines – underscore his versatility and adaptability as an engineer.
As he reflects on his journey, one thing remains abundantly clear: his passion for engineering extends far beyond the confines of a classroom or boardroom. It is a lifelong pursuit fuelled by a relentless thirst for knowledge and a genuine desire to make a meaningful impact in the world of engineering and beyond.
“There exists an intricate web of disciplines that intersect within mechanical engineering, highlighting the interconnectedness of thermodynamics, hydraulics, electrical engineering, and control systems in the context of air conditioning and refrigeration.” Drawing parallels between steam condensation and evaporation in boilers and the refrigeration process, Le Roux underscores the common underlying principles that govern both systems – “emphasising the importance of a holistic understanding in engineering practice”.
“The integration of control systems and programmable logic controllers (PLCs) is indicative of the evolving landscape of air conditioning technology and the need for adaptability in engineering practice.”
Drawing from his experience, Le Roux highlights the need for greater awareness of heat transfer’s ubiquity and importance across engineering disciplines. He notes the lack of emphasis on addressing losses in machine design literature, advocating for a more comprehensive approach to understanding and managing heat transfer in engineering systems.
