Prof. Geoffrey Evans

Biography

Professor Geoffrey Evans has been actively involved in fundamental and applied research into multiphase systems over the last 20 years. During that time he has worked on a wide range of projects which have concentrated on free surface phenomena and phase interaction between bubbles, particles and the liquid phase. Specifically, the research has focused on bubble formation and growth, bubble nucleation, bubble breakup and coalescence, two phase flow, mixing and agitation, emulsions, and plunging and submerged jets. More recently, my research has included surface forces, particle-particle and bubble-particle interactions, as applied to a number of particle technology applications. My research involved a combination of experimental measurement, theoretical modelling and computational fluid mechanics, and has been applied to a number of practical applications. In all cases, the outcomes of the work, has been underpinned by firstly understanding the interaction between the phases present and the constraints applied due to the process configuration. Most of my current research deals with the water, mineral and pyrometallurgical processing, and process industries. Awards received in recognition of my research efforts include: (1) CSIRO External Medal for Research Achievement, 1990. Awarded by CSIRO annually to an individual or research team for significant research achievement that, amongst other factors, makes substantial contribution to Australias industrial development and achieves national objectives. Awarded to the applicant as a member of the Jameson flotation cell development team. (2) John A Brodie Medal, of the Institution of Engineers, Australia, 2004. For the best paper presented at the annual meeting of chemical engineers in Australia, Chemeca 2004, in honour of Mr John Brodie, the eminent industrial chemical engineer.

Qualifications

• PhD, University of Newcastle, 1991
• Bachelor of Engineering (Honours), University of Newcastle, 1983

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Research

Research keywords

• fluid mechanics
• interfacial phenomena
• multiphase processes
• particle technology
• process metallurgy
• sustainability
• water treatment

Research expertise

Professor Geoffrey Evans has been actively involved in fundamental and applied research into multiphase systems over the last 20 years.

During that time he has worked on a wide range of projects which have concentrated on free surface phenomena and phase interaction between bubbles, particles and the liquid phase. Specifically, the research has focused on bubble formation and growth, bubble nucleation, bubble breakup and coalescence, two phase flow, mixing and agitation, emulsions, and plunging and submerged jets. More recently, my research has included surface forces, particle-particle and bubble-particle interactions, as applied to a number of particle technology applications.

In 1990 Professor Evans was a recipient of the CSIRO External Medal for Research Achievement, as a member of the Jameson flotation cell development team, which is awarded annually to an individual or research team for significant research achievement that, amongst other factors, makes substantial contribution to Australias industrial development and achieves national objectives.

The research carried out by Professor Evans has involved a combination of experimental measurement, theoretical modelling and computational fluid mechanics. In recent years, a particular achievement has been the establishment of an extensive facility at Newcastle incorporating a wide range of laser-based techniques (Laser Doppler Velocimetry, Particle Image Velocimetry, and Phase Doppler Particle Analysis), and high speed digital video, used for quantitative measurements in multiphase systems.

The fundamental research carried out by Professor Evans has also been applied to a number of practical applications. In all cases, the outcomes of the work, i.e. process and equipment modification, has been underpinned by firstly understanding the interaction between the phases present and the constraints applied due to the process configuration. For example, in the explosive emulsions business, the project involved the establishment of scaling rules so that the company could develop a range of systems at very different scales. A pilot scale system was developed and successfully tested using actual explosive media. This work has led to development of two new emulsification technologies offering significant cost reductions. The patent details are:

• K.P. Galvin, S.J. Pratten, S. Biggs and G.M. Evans, Emulsion Production, PR4007 (2001).
• K.P. Galvin, S.J. Pratten, S. Biggs and G.M. Evans, Emulsion Production with Internal Plate Devices, 31637AUP00 (2001).

Similarly, in the chemicals industry Professor Evans has focussed much of his attention on gas dispersion into downflowing liquids. These types of flows are common in draught-tube bubble columns and loop reactors, where the difficulty is that unwanted gas cavities get caught on the spargers and upset the flow patterns. A gas sparging device was invented that prevented the formation of the cavities, resulting in a much more uniform gas dispersion and stable process operation. The patent details are:

• G. M. Evans and P.D. Machniewski, Gas Dispersion in Downflowing Liquid Streams, PR5144 (2001).
• P.D. Machniewski, A.K. Bin, S. Wronski and G. M. Evans, A method of gas bubble generation in liquids, P354464, Poland, (2002).

Fields of Research

Code	Description	Percentage
091499	Resources Engineering And Extractive Metallurgy Not Elsewhere Classified	75
090499	Chemical Engineering Not Elsewhere Classified	20
091399	Mechanical Engineering Not Elsewhere Classified	5

Centres and Groups

Centre

• Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources (NIER)
• PRC - Priority Research Centre for Advanced Particle Processing and Transport

Memberships

ARC Committee member

• Member, College of Experts Engineering and Environmental Sciences Panel - Australian Research Council

Body relevant to professional practice.

• Elected as Fellow - Engineers Australia
• Elected Fellow - Institution of Chemical Engineers, UK

Committee/Associations (relevant to research).

• Member, International Scientific Committee - 16th International Congress of Chemical and Process Engineering (2004)
• Member, International Scientific Committee - 1st Conference on Process Innovation and Process Intensification (2002)
• Member, International Scientific Committee - 2nd Conference on Process Innovation and Process Intensification (2006)
• Member, International Scientific Committee - 3rd Conference on Process Innovation and Process Intensification (2009)
• Conference Chairman - 5th International Conference on Gas Liquid and Gas Liquid Solid Reactor Engineering (2001)
• Member, International Scientific Committee - 6th International Conference on Gas Liquid and Gas Liquid Solid Reactor Engineering (2003)
• Program Committee Member - 6th World Congress of Chemical Engineering (2001)
• Member, International Scientific Committee - 7th International Conference on Gas Liquid and Gas Liquid Solid Reactor Engineering (2005)
• Program Committee Member - 7th World Congress of Chemical Engineering (2005)
• Member, International Scientific Committee - 8th International Conference on Gas Liquid and Gas Liquid Solid Reactor Engineering (2007)
• Director, International Advisory Committee - 9th Asian Pacific Confederation of Chemical Engineering Conference (2002)
• Member, International Scientific Committee - Fluid Mixing VIII Conference (2006)
• Member, International Scientific Committee - International Conference on Water and Wastewater Treatment (2007)

Editorial Board.

• member of the Editorial Board of Chemical Engineering and Processing - Elsevier Publishers
• Member of the Editorial Board - Journal of European Mineral Processing and Environmental Protection

Awards

Research Award.

2004

Brodie Medal Engineers Australia (Australia) John A Brodie Medal, of the Institution of Engineers, Australia. For the best paper presented at the annual meeting of chemical engineers in Australia, Chemeca 2004.

1990

CSIRO External Medal for Research Achievement CSIRO (Australia) CSIRO External Medal for Research Achievement, 1990. Awarded by CSIRO annually to an individual or research team for significant research achievement that, amongst other factors, makes substantial contribution to Australia's industrial development and achieves national objectives. Awarded to the applicant as a member of the Jameson flotation cell development team.

Invitations

Environmental Engineering Advisory Committee Hunter Water Corporation, Australia (Advisory Committee)	1999
Copper Technology Roadmap Warren Centre, Australia (Advisory Expert)	2004
Chemical Engineering Science Journal Elsevier, Netherlands (Guest Editor)	2002
Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science Journal Elsevier, Netherlands (Guest Editor)	2004
CSIRO Division of Building, Construction and Engineering CSIRO, Australia (Invited Expert)	2000
Second Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation International Workshop on Fundamentals in Particle Science and Technology Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation International Workshop, Canada (Invited Keynote Speaker)	1998
A Gas Entrainment Model for Plunging Jets University of Birmingham, United Kingdom (Invited Seminar)	1991
At the Minerals Interface Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre, Australia (Invited Seminar)	2004
Bubble Dynamics and Bubble-Particle Interactions Beijing University of Chemical Technology, China (Invited Seminar)	2002
Carbon Dioxide Abatement Program Japenese Government Office of NEDO, Japan (Invited Seminar)	2000
Carbon Dioxide Dissolution Shizuoka University, Japan (Invited Seminar)	2000
Dynamics of Multiphase systems CSIRO Division of Minerals, Australia (Invited Seminar)	1998
Fundamentals of Gas-Inducing Impellers University of Cambridge, United Kingdom (Invited Seminar)	1991
Fundamentals of Multiphase Flow Osaka University, Japan (Invited Seminar)	2000
Gas Dispersion and Interfacial Mass Transfer Beijing University of Chemical Technology, China (Invited Seminar)	2002
Gas Dispersion in Flowing Liquids The University of Surrey, United Kingdom (Invited Seminar)	2002
Gas Dispersion in Multiphase Systems Ohio State University, United States (Invited Seminar)	1991
Gas-Liquid Contacting National Institute for Resources and Environment, Japan (Invited Seminar)	2000
Hydrodynamics of Gas-Inducing Impellers University of Missouri-Rolla, United States (Invited Seminar)	1991
Interface and Particle Behaviour in Mineral and Metallurgical Processing Operations University of New South Wales, Australia (Invited Seminar)	2006
Mixing in the Process Industries Indian Engineers, India (Invited Seminar)	1999
Modelling of Liquid-liquid Jet Reactors University of Tokyo, Japan (Invited Seminar)	1997
The Design and Scale-Up of Gas-Inducing Impellers Louisiana State University, United States (Invited Seminar)	1991
Water Treatment and (Mineral) Flotation Technology Beijing University of Chemical Technology, China (Invited Seminar)	2002
Chemcon-99 Indian Chemical Engineering Congress, India (Keynote Speaker)	1999
National Committee for Fuels and Energy Engineer Australia, Australia (National Advisory Committee)	2007

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Administrative

Administrative expertise

My contribution to university governance has been through membership of committees and positions held. At a University level I have contributed to teaching and research policy as an active member of (what were) the Curriculum Review, Research Higher Degrees, Research Management, and CALT Leadership and Management Program Steering Committees.

At a Department level I have held numerous positions, including Head of Department for the period 1999-2001. During that time I was responsible for a number of activities, including the professional accreditation of the undergraduate course, and the key appointment of two new academics (Drs Moghtaderi and Franks). In general, my approach has been to provide, where necessary, guidance and support in the research and teaching endeavors of the academic and general staff. My contribution to the wider university while I was HOD included being an invited Panel Member for the New Heads of Department Orientation Program, organised as part of the Academic Career Development Series in 2001. I am currently on the Advisory Board for the Environmental Engineering program at Newcastle.

At a Faculty level I have been Assistant Dean of Research and Graduate Studies, Chairman of the Faculty Research Committee, Chairman of Higher Degrees Committee. In each case I have attempted to provide leadership in developing a strategic overview. For example, my involvement with the University Curriculum Review Committee was to raise the importance of teaching and learning in the engineering discipline, which traditionally has been more focused on maintaining its research excellence. I was currently Assistant Dean, Community Relations Marketing for the Faculty, and in this role my focus is on building strategic (educational and research) partnerships with industry, business, community, and government groups. As A/D CR&M, my role also includes building links with overseas teaching and research institutions.

To the chemical engineering profession I have contributed in a number of ways. One major example was being Chairman of the 5th International Conference on Gas-Liquid and Gas-Liquid Solid Reactor Eng, which was held in Melbourne in September 2001. The conference was attended by over 200 delegates (mostly international).Other recent involvement in the organisation and running of international conferences include:

• Director, International Advisory Committee, 9th Asian Pacific Confederation of Chemical Engineering Conference, Christchurch, New Zealand, Sept 2002.
• Member, International Scientific Committee, 1st Conference on Process Innovation and Process Intensification, Edinburgh, Scotland, Sept 2002.
• Member, International Scientific Committee, 16th International Congress of Chemical and Process Engineering CHISA, Prague on 22 - 26 August 2004.
• Program Committee Member, 7th World Congress of Chemical Engineering, Glasgow, Sept 2005.
• Member, International Scientific Committee, 7th International Conference on Gas-Liquid and Gas-Liquid Solid Reactor Engineering, Strasbourg, France, August 2005.
• Member, International Scientific Committee, Fluid Mixing VIII Conference, London, England, April 2006.
• Member, International Scientific Committee, 2nd Conference on Process Innovation and Process Intensification, ChristChurch, New Zealand, Sept 2006.

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Teaching

Teaching keywords

• chemical engineering

Teaching expertise

I have taught many of the undergraduate chemical engineering courses. I have also delivered specialised courses and seminars in China, Canada and India. In research training, I have successfully supervised over 60 Honours and 10 PhD students. In teaching my focus is on providing a stimulating learning environment to students, and to include material that is relevant to the changing focus of todays professional engineers and scientists. My emphasis has been on creating the link between academia and industry, and highlighting the relevance to the wider community so that students can understand the broader context.

On a national education level, in 2000, academics from the Universities of ANU, Melbourne and Newcastle (including myself) were successful in obtaining a $1,650,000 DEETYA Science Lectureships grant, entitled UniChe: A new way of Teaching Chemistry. This project, part of a new initiative by the Minister for Education to link industry and university, was aimed at attracting both the best undergraduate and postgraduate students into a close association with a major Australian industry (ORICA, Australia Pty Ltd). ORICA provided $100,000 per annum for the project. Attracting the best students was to be achieved by training undergraduates and graduates in a way that gave them an awareness of the short and long term goals of the Australian chemical industry.

I have been actively involved in the supervision and administration of postgraduate students at The University of Newcastle since returning from Cambridge in 1991. Currently, I am either the principal or joint supervisor of eight PhD students. For each student I have an active program of consultation and feedback relating to their progress. Where possible I strongly encourage students to publish their work in refereed journals, and present at national and international conferences. Recognition for my efforts into postgraduate supervision has been:

• Nomination for Supervisor of the Year in 1997.
• Joint supervisor for a student (Khan) enrolled at the UNSW.
• Decision by senior management within CSIRO Division of Minerals to enroll a staff member (Lane) in a PhD program under my supervision rather than going to a Melbourne University.

My detailed knowledge of the chemical engineering curriculum was acknowledged by my invitation to review the undergraduate chemical engineering curriculum at Curtin University. More recently, I have taken the role of an IChemE Assessor, with responsibility for accrediting the undergraduate programs throughout Australia. This has involved being part of the assessing panel for the programs offered at James Cook and Adelaide Universities, and being Chairman for the IChemE accreditation panel for the RMIT programs.

My experience in undergraduate curriculum development has extended beyond my own field of expertise, in my role as a member (1998-1999) of the University Curriculum Review Committee, which has ultimate responsibility for approval of all undergraduate and postgraduate course and program changes, introduction of new courses and programs, and 5-year program reviews. In 2006 I was the Chairman of the external review of the Bachelor of Biotechnology programs at the University of Newcastle.