Dr Robert White uses computational fluid dynamics (CFD) for process design and optimisation.
Current activities
Dr Robert White is a member of CSIRO's process modelling/computational fluid dynamics (CFD) team.
Dr Robert White started at CSIRO in 1986 as a chemical engineer working with fluidised beds.
CFD uses advanced computer software to model the flow of fluids through a processing facility. The fluid may be in liquid, gas, loose particle form, or a combination of all forms.
The broad application of CFD to new and existing plant in the mineral processing, metal production and energy industries has the potential to save companies many millions of dollars per year.
Dr White works with process plant operators on modelling flow patterns and heat transfer in process equipment, and has worked in validating CFD models of industrial thickeners using advanced instrumentation techniques. His work includes developing advanced instrumentation so the models can be tested and validated, and to develop additional multi-scale models to augment conventional CFD models.
Dr White is also developing capabilities in predicting wear patterns inside process equipment and he is identifying areas in mineral processing where waste heat can be minimised.
Research interests
Dr White is interested in using computer modelling techniques to characterise chemical reactors to assist in process scale-up, because better understanding will improve overall process efficiency and minimise waste.
He is currently interested in:
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multi-scale modelling to assist in the development of nano-technology
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Molecular Dynamics (MD) modelling to investigate process interactions on the nano-scale
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industrial ecology and working towards minimising greenhouse gas emissions.
Background
Dr White started at CSIRO in 1986 as a chemical engineer working with fluidised beds and has worked in a number of areas, including:
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high-temperature processing in fluidised beds – where he designed high-temperature rigs for iron ore processing
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fluidised bed expert advice – international commissioning activities
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fluidised bed consulting – for the improvement of local existing plants
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development of infrared imaging technology, electrical capacitance tomography (ECT) and the production of capacitance instrumentation with international research groups.
Dr White moved to the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) team in 2000 and draws on his years of experience working with physical models. His experience in fluidised beds and other industrial reactors is beneficial when conducting computational modelling.
Expertise
Dr White has expertise in:
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CFD modelling
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fluidised bed processing (bubbling and circulating)
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particle technology
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the development of advanced instrumentation
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validation of computer models
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process development and optimisation.
Academic qualifications
Dr White has received a:
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Bachelor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering from RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia
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Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical Engineering from the University of Melbourne, Australia.
Awards
Dr White has been involved in two separate award-winning teams. The awards were:
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CSIRO Minerals Innovation Award in 1998 for combining CFD and physical modelling for predicting behaviour in a fluidised bed calciner
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CSIRO Business Excellence Medal 2004 – for the Improving Thickener Technology project.
Read more about CSIRO Awards.
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