About
Us
Bulk Solids Modelling was set up in 1997, in
Perth, Western Australia.
Peter Donecker, Principal of Bulk Solids Modelling,
has over 25 years experience in the Australian
mining and minerals processing industries. Always
an innovator, during this time he has chalked
up a number of 'firsts', and offers consulting
in a range of fields associated with these industries.
Some of these are presented below.
Conveyor Transfer Modelling
The first conveyor loop dedicated to the physical scale modelling of conveyor transfers was installed by Peter at CRA-ATD in Bentley, Western Australia in 1992. Using this loop, the fundamental theoretical basis of the modelling was developed (Ang and Trewella, 1994) and design projects were conducted both commercially and in association with Curtin University (Tonkin, 1995).
Verification of the real-world similarity between
model results and full scale conveyor transfers
was conducted through a detailed comparative
examination of actual and model behaviour of
5-6E conveyor transfer at Hamersley Iron's Dampier
Port Operations. Subsequent commercial projects
spanned coal, iron ore and bauxite operations
More recent student projects using this equipment,
carried out by students from The University
of Western Australia, have investigated advanced
techniques such as video tracking of particle
trajectories (Goodchild ,1998;: Bennett, 1999)
The Smart Conveyor Belt
After studying the problems associated with condition monitoring of conveyor belts in Western Australia's iron ore industry, Peter was the inventor a system incorporating radio frequency transponders for monitoring conveyor belt condition.
This invention (German Patent DE 44 44 264, 1994) was developed and commercialised by ContiTech of Germany as the first implementation of the ContiTronic® Intelligent Belt.
Advice on new and novel applications of radio
frequency transponders is offered as a service
by BSM.
Smart Tags
Recognising the problems associated with tracking ore through complex material handling systems, Peter first conceived using radio frequency tags for ore tracking. These tags, individually identifiable, can be placed in the ore at the mine and tracked right through to the ship-loading process.
The first demonstration of this concept was
conducted on the laboratory conveyor loop, and
the concept progressed to field trials, with
the first such trial taking place in 1993. BSM
is available for consultation regarding applications
of this technique within mineral processing
operations.
Screen Wear
In one of the only studies ever reported on the topic, Peter's paper "Assessment of
Screening Media Wear" details the findings of an extensive investigation into the performance
of polymeric screening media in the mining industry. This study incorporated a range of advanced techniques such as image processing and high speed cinematography, as well as the more time consuming Vernier gauge measurement of screening surface thickness.
If you are experiencing problems associated
with screen wear, BSM can provide advice and
assistance.
Ball Milling
The disposal of toxic organo-chlorine wastes is a problem of widespread concern throughout the world. A similar problem is the safe disposal of chemical weapons such as Sarin and mustard. One of the recognized techniques for disposal of these materials is the use of high intensity ball milling with reagents such as calcium oxide. Peter was one of the inventors of the first process using this technique. (US 5,648,591).
He has also worked in the areas of wear in wet stirred ball mills, and dry grinding in stirred ball mills, including the development of the world's first pilot plant for the production of nano-powders using dry grinding.
BSM welcomes enquiries concerning fine grinding
processes.
References
ANG J and TREWHELLA L (1994) Dimensional Analysis of Granular Solids Flow in a Model Conveyor Transfer Station. Honours Thesis, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Curtin University of Technology.
BATTERHAM R J (1995), The Innovation Process - A Corporate Perspective, Nurturing Creativity in Research Conference, Canberra
BENNETT M (1999), Ore Trajectory Modelling, Honours Thesis, Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, University of Western Australia
DONECKER P (1993), Assessment of Screening Media Wear, 4th China-Australia Symposium, Technology of Feed Preparation for Ironmaking, MMI,HI,CSIRO, CSM, Dampier.
DONECKER P (1996) , Varfahren und Anordnung zur Uberwaschung eines Fordergurtes, DE 44 44 264.to Continental Aktiengesellschaft.
DONECKER et al (1997), Toxic Material Disposal, US 5,648,591.
GOODCHILD J (1998), Prediction of Ore Paths in Material Transfer Chutes, Honours Thesis, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Western Australia.
TONKIN M (1995) Design of Impact Plates used in Belt Conveyor Conveyor Transfer Stations, Honours Thesis, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Curtin University of Technology.
