Centre for Bulk Solids & Particulate Technologies (BMH)

Major research projects of the bulk materials handling research group are concerned with

• Prediction of the flowrate of bulk solids (including fine powders) from bins
• Developing techniques for predicting the loads exerted on the walls of storage bins
• Design of feeders including screw and belt feeders
• Measuring and predicting loads exerted on feeders under hoppers - special consideration being given to interfacing hoppers to feeders including the geometry of skirts and gates
• Design of gravity chutes and transfer points
• Analysis of flow promotion devices at hopper outlets
• Development of procedures for assessing the wear of lining materials for chutes, hoppers and pipes
• Design and analysis of unstirred slurry, backfill and settlement tanks.

In particular, we have proven expertise in such areas as:

• Design of storage and feeding systems for wet and/or dry conditions
• Specification of bin discharge systems for wet and/or dry conditions
• Estimation of flow rates from bins for wet and/or dry conditions
• Specifying the loads on the walls of storage systems for wet and/or dry conditions
• Design of chutes and conveyor transfer points
• Assessing the wear and frictional characteristics of bin and chute lining materials
• Segregation and mixing of bulk solids

Measurement techniques for flow properties of bulk solids (dry and wet)

Major research projects of the bulk materials handling research group are concerned with:

Software development for processing flow property data and determining the geometry of storage bins

Powder deaeration and settling

In particular we have proven expertise in such areas as:

Flow properties of bulk solids for wet and/or dry conditions

Contact

Associate Professor Peter Wypych
Centre for Bulk Solids and Particulate Technologies
University of Wollongong
Northfields Avenue
Wollongong, 2522
Australia

PHONE: +61 (0)2 4221 3488 (direct)
PHONE: +61 (0)2 4221 3491 (administration)
FAX: +61 (0)2 4221 4577 

Pneumatic conveying staff

Peter Wypych - Associate Professor
Ian Frew - Senior Technical Officer EMAIL
David Hastie - Professional Officer EMAIL

PNEUMATIC CONVEYING CAPABILITIES (Bulk Solids Handling Laboratory)

• Dilute-phase (suspension) flow of powders and granules (particles up to 50 mm in size).
• Fluidised dense-phase conveying of powders (eg cement, magnesia).
• Low-velocity slug-flow of fragile materials (eg grain, food stuffs, poly pellets).
• Low-velocity plug-flow of fragile/cohesive/sticky materials (eg milk powder, cocoa).
• Bypass dense-phase conveying of fine granular materials (eg alumina, sand).
• Extrusion flow of wet/sticky materials (eg fish chunks or meat lumps in gravy).
• Single-slug dense-phase conveying of coarse/abrasive materials (eg blue metal, diamond ore).

Glass pipeline demonstration facility (200 litre blow tank, 50 mm full-bore air pump, 50 mm ID glass pipeline, demonstrating: dilute-phase and low-velocity conveying; segregation during dilute-phase; flow around bends and up inclines).

Conveying rates range from 1 to 100 t/h.
Conveying distances up to 1.2 km.

RECENT RESEARCH

• Minimum transport velocity for dilute-phase pneumatic conveying
• Pipeline and bend pressure drop (eg continually improving models and procedures for various products and industries)
• Analysis, design and operation of air-jet pump feeders/injectors
• Development of bench-scale experiments and models to predict the pressure drop in low-velocity conveying systems

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES & PROCESSES

• Atomisation and pneumatic conveying of aluminium powder in 1.8 m diameter ducts;
• Bypass dense-phase conveying of alumina and aluminium powder;
• Low-velocity dense-phase conveying of wet explosives through 20 m long hoses;
• Pneumatic injection of -10 mm mill scale into hot metal processes;
• Dense-phase conveying of highly explosible fine powders without using filtration.

Undergraduate

High Speed Digital Imaging and Modelling of Pneumatic Conveying Processes

Analysis of the Loss in Solids Velocity Around Bends in Pneumatic Conveying

Pressure Drop Modelling in Dense-Phase Conveying

Pressure Drop Modelling for Dilute-Phase Conveying

Dust Explosion Characteristics and Venting Panel Design

Comparison Between Rotary Valve and Blow Tank for Dense-Phase Pnuematic Conveying

Performance Modelling of Air Pumps

Postgraduate

Air Entrainment of Particles in Free-Fall

Transport Boundaries for Pneumatic Conveying

Flow and Design Technology for Conveyor Transfers

Other

Rotary valve air leakage Dust explosions

The Centre for Bulk Solids & Particulate Technologies offers a range of professional development and training courses for industry. Each course is designed to assist the engineers, practitioners, managers, operators, designers, consultants and even researchers wishing to gain increased knowledge and assistance in specific areas. Two main types of course are offered:

In-house

Customised courses for specific companies or organisations (duration and cost depend on demand, range of topics to be covered, number of participants, etc);

Standard professional development courses 

These are held for industry each year at the University of Wollongong and/or the University of Newcastle. These courses are normally run 2 or 3 times a year on a 3-day basis, with an optional 4th day (free of charge) to go through problem-solving exercises and detailed industry case studies. Some of the more popular standard courses include:

• Bulk Solids Handling (Storage and Flow)
• Belt Conveying
• Design and Operation of Pneumatic Conveying Systems
• Dust and Fume Control Technology
• Mechanical Handling Systems