RESEARCH
Key areas of interest include pneumatic conveying, rotary valve air leakage and particle segregation. I have extensive experience in experimental investigations, instrumentation, data acquisition and analysis, computer programming and digital video imaging and processing. I have recently been the research associate on a three year ARC - Linkage Project titled 'Quantification and Modelling of Particle Flow Mechanisms in Conveyor Transfers', which consisted of the day-to-day managing of the project, including the co-ordination of the design and construction of the test facility, commissioning and test program as well as data analysis and report writing. The main research in this project involved experimental investigations of transfer chute flow and trajectories, numerical modelling and discrete element modelling (DEM) to provide a three way comparison.
Follow this link to the UOW Bulk Materials Handling webpage.
I have been involved in numerous contract research projects for Bulk Materials Engineering Australia (BMEA), the commercial consulting arm of the Centre for Bulk Solids and Particulate Technologies. When required, my skills have been utilised in the design / setup / modification of new and existing test rigs, the testing and analysis of data and on-site problem solving. Some companies I has assisted in contract research for include: Sanitarium, Masterfoods Australia, Worley Pty Ltd, John Thompson Engineering Pty Ltd, Zinifex Century Mine, Klausen Process Machinery, Aerobelt Australia Pty Ltd and Bluescope.
Figure 1: Conveyor transfer test facility with the ability to investigate conveyor transfer chutes
and conveyor trajectories up to a belt speed of 7 m/s
Figure 2: An example of a polyethylene pellet conveyor trajectory with a belt speed of 4 m/s
and a material feed rate of approximately 38 tph
Figure 3: Iron ore being conveyed at a belt speed of 2 m/s
Notice the dust generation
Figure 4: Investigation of maximum conveyor belt inclination angle of alumina
Notice product rolling off the tail of the conveyor