Pre-Conference Workshop

Tuesday 23rd February 2010

Workshop facilitators:
Peter Wypych and Peter Arnold, University of Wollongong

Bulk Materials Handling Design -
The Importance of Adopting a Systems Approach

This workshop will address issues relating to modern bulk materials handling design to ensure that the total system performs reliably. Issues to be discussed include:

• The importance of appreciating flow patterns in storage facilities
• What should be known about the bulk solid(s) being handled
• How can this knowledge be applied to determining correct bin and hopper geometries
• Reliable and sustainable supply of bulk materials, including environmental management
• The importance of appreciating appropriate structural design
• Do not ignore the detail
• Principles of feeder design
• The interface between the feeder and the hopper outlet should receive close attention
• Segregation may be an issue that needs appreciation
• Case studies will be used where appropriate to illustrate these issues

About your workshop leaders:

Peter Wypych

Peter Wypych is the General Manager of Bulk Materials Engineering Australia and has completed over 500 industrial projects, involving R&D of new technologies, feasibility studies, troubleshooting, general/concept design, optimisation, de-bottle necking and/or rationalisation of plants and processes for companies all around Australia and the world.

Peter Wypych has been involved with the research and development of solids handling and processing technology since 1981. Particular areas of expertise include pneumatic conveying, bulk materials handling, conveyor transfers, computer simulations, dust hazards and control and dust explosions. Peter Wypych has published over 300 articles in these areas. He is currently the Chair of the Australian Society for Bulk Solids Handling.

Peter Arnold

Emeritus Professor Peter Arnold is a Professorial Fellow at the University of Wollongong. He is a Fellow of Engineers Australia, a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences
and Engineering and a Life member of the Australian Society for Bulk Solids Handling.

His principal research and consultancy interests are bulk solids flow properties (measurement and exploitation in design), storage bin geometries for reliable flow, flow of fine powders from bins, feeder/hopper interfacing, prediction of feeder loads, mechanics of screw feeders and conveyors, segregation and mixing, chute design, development of computer software for bulk solids handling. Professor Arnold has been engaged in consulting for industry in the area of bulk materials handling for more that 35 years.