Research Scientist
RESEARCH SCIENTIST: JOB SUMMARY: Developing special Discrete Element Method models for rock comminution machines. Discrete Element Method (DEM) is a numerical method for computing the motion and effect of a large number of small particles, which can be used to solve engineering problems in granular and discontinuous materials, especially in granular flows, powder mechanics, and rock mechanics. As such, DEM is an effective method for addressing engineering issues related to the movement of comminuted (pulverized) ore necessary in mining operations. Engaging in mechanical engineering of machines and their components. Leading the design team in developing the Conjugate Anvil Hammer Mill (CAHM) machine that improves crushing and grinding comminution efficiency by more than 50% of the +1000 machines it will replace. Designing liners for semi-autogenous grinding (SAG) mills and ball mills that improve mill liner life by more than 40%. Publishing articles and present advancements of Comminution & Transportation Tech, Inc. (CTTI) in highly respected journals and conferences in the field with the purpose of educating mining leaders on process improvements and gaining a reputation for CTTI in the mining industry. Collaborating in writing proposals for industry and government funded projects. Modeling rock fragmentation in comminution machines using DEM for old and new comminution machines concepts. Modeling and analysis of wear mechanics on metal and non-metal materials in comminution machines. Optimizing geometries and operational conditions using DEM modeling and multi-objective optimization algorithms. Data analysis of multiple mill operational data to be used in the optimization process. Developing a new comminution machine (Conjugate Anvil-Hammer Mill (CAHM)) using DEM modeling and optimization algorithm. Developing and optimizing new Semi-Autogenous (SAG) and Fully Autogenous (FAG) grinding mill liner geometry interiors based on DEM modeling to improve grinding efficiency, improve wear life, and improve throughput while eliminating metal peening, grate plugging, and water pooling. Developing software for mill DEM simulation to understand, by visualization, liner analysis, geometry optimization, and performance. Developing software for analysis of 3D scanned liners and mills. Finite Element Analysis of liner designs. Providing
bolting protocol for liner installations including internal and external mill liner bolting. Creating Design of Experiments for all relevant comminution machines including special geometry patterns that maximize ore comminution while minimizing wear loss on liner surfaces.
Equipment which will be used:
Lab equipment; sieve shaker, diffraction particle size analyzers, moisture analyzer, bulk and solid density analyzer, Rock compression testing equipment, direct shear test, granular material angle of repose and angle of withdraw measurement, classify particle sizes before and after comminution processing to extract energy delta (kW-hr/ton) from test procedures. Hardware: High-performance computing (HPC) server system consisting of up to 8-way GPUs. Software will include: EDEM and/or Rocky DEM, Ansys Mechanical, Ansys Fluent, Microsoft office suite including spreadsheet, graphics, Microsoft Projects; Minitab statistical analysis, SAS, “R”, OriginPro among key statistical software packages.
REQUIREMENTS: PhD in mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, or related fields which involve discrete element method (DEM) based design and analysis of industrial equipment. Research assistant or equivalent experience in mechanical engineering, involving DEM-based design or analysis of industrial equipment, gained concurrently with required education or separately. At least one graduate level course or thesis concerning each of the following: discrete element method (DEM) computational fluid dynamics (CFD), finite element analysis (FEA), modeling of industrial machinery, statistical analysis, machine learning, optimization, design of experiments, academic writing, teaching to professionals, and granular mechanics or equivalent, which may have been gained concurrently with the education requirement. At least one year’s experience in programming in computational modeling using C++, MatLab, and Python. At least one peer-reviewed publication in the fields of discrete element method (DEM), computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and finite element analysis (FEA). Travel to mine sites nationwide in the United States, Canada, Australia, and other countries in accordance with Clients’ requests for in-person evaluation of their mills and/or training, and to make professional presentations to mining industry forums. The exact locations of such future travel and frequency of such travel is not yet known, and will be dependent upon Covid-19 travel restrictions, contracts at any given time, and client requests. Telecommuting is an option when physical presence in the office is not required by the employer. Pay: $125,000 per annum, plus employee benefit plan, for a 40-hour week. Jobsite: Bellingham, Washington. Send resume to Comminution & Transportation Tech, Inc., 3363 Alderwood Ave., Bellingham, WA 98225. AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.