Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Granular Flow in Hoppers. Handling and processing of bulk solids such as coal and metal ores perform a key function in many industries, and hoppers are the most common devices for storage and discharge of granular materials in this field. The proper design of this equipment is very important. This project provides a systematic investigation of granular flow in hoppers, which is essential in order to avoid structure failures and associated costs. It wil ....Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Granular Flow in Hoppers. Handling and processing of bulk solids such as coal and metal ores perform a key function in many industries, and hoppers are the most common devices for storage and discharge of granular materials in this field. The proper design of this equipment is very important. This project provides a systematic investigation of granular flow in hoppers, which is essential in order to avoid structure failures and associated costs. It will lead to a fundamental understanding of relevant industrial processes, improvement of their efficiency, and hence improved competitiveness of Australian mining/mineral/metallurgical industries.Read moreRead less
Tribological contact of work roll in hot rolling. Steel and aluminium manufacturers form their products by shaping a hot metal billet using, for example, presses and rollers which contact the rapidly cooling metal in the production line. The economic benefits of lubrication, reduced rolling force (up to 25%), reduced roll wear and extended roll life (up to 40%), reduced down time due to roll change, and better strip quality are very significant for these manufacturing processes. This comprehens ....Tribological contact of work roll in hot rolling. Steel and aluminium manufacturers form their products by shaping a hot metal billet using, for example, presses and rollers which contact the rapidly cooling metal in the production line. The economic benefits of lubrication, reduced rolling force (up to 25%), reduced roll wear and extended roll life (up to 40%), reduced down time due to roll change, and better strip quality are very significant for these manufacturing processes. This comprehensive program will provide new knowledge on lubrication and roll wear to help Australian manufacturing industry (e.g. steel and aluminium) to better understand and optimise their processes to achieve maximum benefits.Read moreRead less
Mechanics of mixed film lubrication in strip rolling. Rolling speeds of tandem cold rolling mills for thin steel strip are often limited by hot scratches and self excited chatter vibration, which forces the mill to slow down. Consequently the output is reduced and significant out-of-specification materials produced. Operating practices are guided by experience and trial-and-error method. In this project, a comprehensive model will be produced to quantify the effects of relevant parameters that c ....Mechanics of mixed film lubrication in strip rolling. Rolling speeds of tandem cold rolling mills for thin steel strip are often limited by hot scratches and self excited chatter vibration, which forces the mill to slow down. Consequently the output is reduced and significant out-of-specification materials produced. Operating practices are guided by experience and trial-and-error method. In this project, a comprehensive model will be produced to quantify the effects of relevant parameters that can provide a much better understanding of the rolling process at speeds higher than previously possible, and help to improve its productivity as well as product quality.Read moreRead less
Contact mechanics in hot strip rolling. The mechanics of roll bite contact in hot strip rolling in the interface is not well understood due to the high temperature of the strip, scale oxide on the surfaces, contact asperities and lubrication mechanism of emulsion entrained in the roll bite. It is not known how the strip surface roughness is generated after rolling. This proposed project will develop a model to simulate the contact of the roll bite and to determine the quality of the surface roug ....Contact mechanics in hot strip rolling. The mechanics of roll bite contact in hot strip rolling in the interface is not well understood due to the high temperature of the strip, scale oxide on the surfaces, contact asperities and lubrication mechanism of emulsion entrained in the roll bite. It is not known how the strip surface roughness is generated after rolling. This proposed project will develop a model to simulate the contact of the roll bite and to determine the quality of the surface roughness transfer from the roll surface to the strip surface. The outcome would be significant cost savings in reduced rolling force, increased roll life, minimal surface defects and increased productivity.Read moreRead less