Wolfson Centre for Bulk Solids Handling Technology Celebrates 50th Anniversary

The Wolfson Centre for Bulk Solids Handling Technology celebrated its 50th anniversary by inviting leading clients and collaborators, along with past and present Wolfson staff and students, to join them for a day of bulk materials handling activities.

The event was sponsored by SHAPA, the MHEA, and the University of Greenwich Faculty of Engineering and Science.

After an informal buffet lunch, a series of seminars took place, showcasing industry's close links with the Centre’s work. After an introduction from Director Professor Mike Bradley, guests heard how the Centre came into being and received an informative look at the history of bulk solid materials. The floor was then taken by invited guests from Hargreaves Industrial Services, Tate and Lyle Sugars, Lynemouth Power, The Solids Handling and Processing Association (SHAPA), and Clyde Pneumatic Conveying.

Each gave examples of how the Centre’s expertise had played a part in their various roles or project responsibilities to date, such as the Wolfson Centre’s input on silo design and materials handling systems, as well as a modelling of materials for pneumatic conveying system design. A brief tour around the on-site pilot plant followed, guided by Wolfson Centre consultants who were on hand to answer questions about the equipment and facilities.

Everyone then headed off to a reception and dinner where guests renewed old acquaintances and shared bulk materials handling stories.

Centre History

The Wolfson Centre for Bulk Solids Handling Technology was originally a department within the School of Engineering at what used to be Thames Polytechnic, later to become the University of Greenwich. At this time, in 1974, the office and laboratories were based in Woolwich, where they remained until their relocation to Medway in Kent in 2005.

The department was initially set up at the request of the then head of school who had completed his PhD in two-phase solid gas flow and discovered that the Polytechnic did not cater to this discipline. He therefore appointed people to continue this stream of research which in turn led to research into general bulk materials handling, and the Bulk Solids Handling Unit was born.

It was not until 1989 that the Wolfson Centre name was added, thanks to funding from the Wolfson Foundation. Although the people, the location, and the department name may have changed throughout its 50-year history, the aim of the Centre has remained the same: To help industry with its bulk solids handling issues.

Since 1974, the Centre has evolved into what it is today: One of only three comprehensive bulk materials handling centers around the world and the only one of its kind in Europe.

The Centre’s experts deal with all materials in the form of particles, a phase of matter that has its own unique patterns of behavior unlike other materials. Such materials are widely used in industry and the Wolfson Centre is recognized worldwide in both industry and academia for the work in this field through consultancy services, research and education through short courses, seminars, and workshops.

Through its consultancy services, the Centre has helped

The Centre’s series of short courses are regularly delivered to more than 200 delegates around the world each year, whether on the premises in Medway, onsite, or online.

Research into new areas of technology has provided studentships for about 50 PhD students since the early 1980s in subjects such as pneumatic conveying, wear and particulate handling, including by current Director Professor of Bulk and Particulate Technology Mike Bradley who graduated in 1990 and has remained in the department ever since.

The Wolfson Centre remains a small independent department within the faculty of Engineering and Science. Helping Bradley with the technical services, research, and teaching are Drs Tong Deng, Baldeep Kaur, Vivek Garg, Atul Sharma, and Hamed Johnny Sarnavi, all experts in different areas of bulk solids handling technology.

Working hard in the background is Senior Technician Paul Wakeman, who joined in 2023 bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to the laboratories, and the Centre’s support manager, Caroline Chapman, who has been with the department for nearly 20 years, managing the various responsibilities of the Centre.