Dr Kevin J Hanley

Senior Lecturer and Deputy Head of Research Institute

Telephone

+44(0)131 6505712

Location

3.03 Alexander Graham Bell Building

Engineering Discipline

Chemical Engineering

Research Institutes

Infrastructure and Environment
Research Publications
Dr Kevin J Hanley

  • Chartered Member, Institution of Chemical Engineers (CEng MIChemE)
  • Senior Member, American Institute of Chemical Engineers (MAIChE)
  • Member, Engineers Ireland (MIEI)

  • Chemical Engineering Design 3 (CHEE09015)
  • Engineering Principles 1 (SCEE08012)
  • Supervisor of study projects, undergraduate research projects and industry placements

My research focuses on the simulation of systems of granular materials. This has broad applicability including in both the chemical engineering (pneumatic conveyors, silos, granulators) and civil engineering (dams, sand element tests) disciplines. My research also includes improving the fidelity and performance of the simulation tools, in particular of the discrete element method (DEM).

Granular materials are ubiquitous. Around three-quarters of the raw materials used in industry are in a particulate form. Lots of economically significant, and safety-related, problems remain in handling these materials. Another example of a granular material is the soil beneath our feet; understanding the behaviour of the constituent particles has implications for ensuring the safety of structures.

The use of simulation tools such as DEM to study huge particulate systems has become increasingly viable as computational power has become cheaper. A major advantage of simulations is the ready availability of information which is difficult, if not impossible, to measure experimentally such as the forces acting on each individual particle at tiny time intervals. However, physical experiments remain essential to supplement the simulations, e.g., for calibration of model parameters and validation of any implemented model. 

Research Profiles

  • Discrete element method (DEM)
  • Simulation of granular soil behaviour
  • Attrition/wear of solid materials
  • Pneumatic conveying of powders

I welcome enquiries from any prospective student with the appropriate engineering/science background who is interested in undertaking a PhD. Note that unless a project is advertised which specifies that funding is available, PhD funding would need to be secured in advance through a scholarship, sponsorship of the PhD, e.g., by industry, or self-funding.