Presenters & Abstracts

OUR SPEAKERS

Prof. Michael Bradley | Director, Wolfson Centre for Bulk Solids Handling Technology at the University of Greenwich & Conference Chair

Mike Bradley is Professor in Particle and Bulk Technology, Director of the Wolfson Centre for Bulk Solids Handling Technology. He was awarded both his honours degree and PHD from Thames Polytechnic (now the University of Greenwich) and, as manager/director, provides technical leadership in all aspects of bulk solids handling. His particular areas of interest lie in pneumatic conveying, design of hoppers and silos, dust control, plant integration and maintenance of product quality. He is Chair of Solids Handling and Processing Association (SHAPA), and a member of Materials Handling Engineers Association (MHEA) and of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Bulk Materials Handling Committee (IMechE). He was awarded a professorship in 2006 and the directorship in 2008.


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David Akinrogbe or Davey Wharrier | Lynemouth Power

Title: tbc

Abstract:

  • SIL Determination in line with IEC 61511 Part – 3
  • LOPA definition – IEC 61511
  • LOPA prequel – other risk assessment, HAZOP, Clause 8 Process H & RA in line with IEC 61511
  • Sample HAZOP template
  • Simplified LOPA assessment process
  • Independent Protection Layer Emphasis: IPLs, its required conditions and what is not IPL
  • Hazardous Event frequency description under LOPA
  • The LPL Flash Fire event – Process Description & failure experienced
  • Narrowed down Probable Causes
  • Layers of Protections in place

a. Process Design – study (utilized lessons from other sites, consulted with experts including Greenwich Uni)
b. Conveyor speed, air glide type conveyor,
c. Alarms with Operator actions
d. Safeguarding Layers – silo pressure sensor, Slide valve trip, fire suppression chemical, explosion relief, foam injection, nitrogen inerting, good housekeeping

  • Opportunities for improvement


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John Pethullis | Southdowne Solutions

Title: Silo Fire Ignition Sources


Abstract: This brief presentation addresses potential ignition sources for a silo fire, with examples of when they led to serious silo fires.

  • Ignition sources include self-heating, mechanical equipment failure leading to frictional heating and embers introduced into the silo.
  • Recommendations are then made to control these ignition sources to prevent such an eventuality.

Bio: John Pethullis is a Chartered Engineer and former chairman of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers bulk materials handling committee and is still an active committee member. John has over 40 years’ experience in Bulk Materials Handling in various technical leadership roles.

In 2015 he was awarded SHAPA’s Individual award, chiefly for his contribution to the Ecostore biomass handling facility at Drax Power Station. In 2016 he established a consultancy, Southdowne Solutions Ltd.

SSL specialise in providing DSEAR support and incident/accident investigations in the Bulk Material Handling industry.


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Franz Heller | Firefly

Title: Early Fire Detection in Silos, Prevention and Preparation

Abstract: Silo fires pose a significant risk to agricultural and industrial storage facilities, often leading to severe economic losses, structural damage, and safety hazards. Early fire detection is critical in mitigating these risks by enabling rapid response and preventing fire escalation. This presentation explores advanced detection technologies, including gas monitoring, and infrared sensors, which can identify early warning signs such as temperature spikes, smouldering hotspots, and gas emissions. Additionally, we will discuss best practices in fire prevention, sensor placement strategies, and integration with suppression systems. By leveraging modern detection techniques, facilities can enhance fire safety protocols and minimize the impact of silo fires.


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Achim Rott, Carsten Pries, Christian Fink, Robecco Berthold Bussieweke | Thorwestern Vent

Title: Silo Safety 2.0

Abstract:

  • Fire as a trigger for an explosion
  • post fires after an explosion. How to extinguish those fires?
  • risks of explosiveness of alternative fuels.
  • case studies:
    • explosion in a wastewater treatment plant in Avonmouth, Bristol, UK
    • smoldering fire in a silo with dried sewage sludge, Germany
  • Insights in rules & regulations in particular:
  • DIN ISO 20024 (storage and handling of wood pellets of capacities>100 tons)
  • DIN CEN/TR 15281:2002 (guidance on inerting for the prevention of explosions)
  • (guidance attached)
  • sustainable preventive and constructive explosion protection

Achim Rott began his career in 1983 as a trainee factory mechanic at Hilgers AG, before studying for a BA in Business Administration whilst simultaneously working for Yara in Germany.

In 1991 he moved to Yara process technology department, dealing with CO2 sales in cement and chemistry industry, inerting and process applications and in 2005 became the Head of Inerting department. In 2020 the inerting business was sold to robecco GmbH, where he has continued to work as Senior Sales Manager Inerting for CO2/N2 emergency inerting and gas analysing systems.

He has had intensive collaboration with Technical Centers of worldwide leading cement groups and EPC contractors for turn key greenfield plants since early 90’s.

From 2014 – 2022 he had the role of advisor in terms of application for revised CEN/TR 15281:2022 guidance on inerting for the prevention of explosions.

Berthold Bussieweke

After graduating with a degree in engineering, Berthold Bussieweke began his career in the heavy machinery industry in 1987 as design and sales engineer.

For more than 35 years he has been working as a sales engineer and then sales manager for manufacturers of equipment servicing the heavy and chemical industries, as well as the shipbuilding industry.

In early 2007, he became sales manager and deputy head of the marine business unit.

In 2010, he joined Thorwesten Vent GmbH as Head of Sales and assumed responsibility for the challenging area of constructional explosion protection for various applications.


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Dr Baldeep Kaur | The Wolfson Centre for Bulk Solids Handling Technology

Title: A Novel Approach to Predict Self-heating in Large Biomass Stores

Abstract: Biomass is one of the main contributors to produce renewable energy for UK and Europe and is growing rapidly in many other countries. However it regularly encounters fires arising in large stores due to self-heating, which cause high financial loss (£ millions per event), pollution and danger to life. Such types of fires are more common than anticipated. Past experience with developing many tests for characterisation of bulk solids has taught us that modelling and testing based on chemistry and nominal physical specifications (e.g. particle size) cannot give a good representation of the behaviour or particles in a bulk form.This is because there is an almost infinite variety of variation in physical form including particle shape, fines content, durability, surface texture, homogeneity etc, all of which affect the behaviour, but that cannot be captured by analysis.Therefore, any successful measurement must of necessity involve the use of a small sample of the “real” bulk solid in its form as present in the system, including effects of particle breakage, segregation etc. This research explores the effect of pellet ageing on availability of reactive substances, the markers during off-gassing to indicate ageing, measures to remove reactants and explore the availability of reactants. Ventilation is a most commonly used technique to reduce the reactivity in freshly manufactured pellets, possibly to reduce the reactant. However, European storage and handling facilities does not ventilate the biomass pellet fuel. There is a possibility to explore the scientific reasons to explore the possibility of ventilation to minimise the self-heating in biomass pellets.

Bio: Dr Kaur joined The Wolfson Centre for Bulk solids Handling Technologies in 2017 as an Associate Consultant Engineer. She holds the PhD in Applied Physics and was introduced to the area of bulk solids handling during her doctoral study. Baldeep has developed research interests in material characterisation, flow property measurements, and pneumatic conveying of bulk solids. Her research interests in biomass developed while working on different biomass projects ranging from exploring the degradation, self-heating tendencies, handling and storage challenges of biomass.