About the Advanced Manufacturing and Bulk Solids Technology Center

The Advanced Manufacturing and Bulk Solids Technology Center supports industrial technology and education of powder and bulk solids handling.

What is the purpose of the Bulk Solids Technology Center?

The Bulk Solids Technology Center is the only university-centered facility and staff in North America dedicated to powder and bulk solids. As such, it provides independent and credible testing services and recommendations for industrial clients in process industries such as food, pet and animal food, plastics, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, minerals and mining, and construction.

The center supports industry by helping improve technology and knowledge related to powder and bulk solids handling.

Manufacturing companies experience many issues with powder and bulk solids. The center helps address these and many more processing challenges:

• Flowability issues: poor powder flow from silos and bins
• Design of chutes, bins and silos
• Storage of powders: caking, stagnation, spoilage
• Buildup and sticking of powders
• Proper mixing of solid ingredients
• Segregation and demixing
• Particle damage and degradation
• High energy consumption
• Inadequate conveying rate
• Dust emissions
• Poor equipment and filter life
• Wear and abrasion of equipment
• Safe Handling

What are the strengths of the Bulk Solids Technology Center?

The center has the experience and systems to support industry with powder and bulk solid processing needs, material and process improvement, equipment and product testing, troubleshooting, equipment design and scale-up.

How is the Bulk Solids Technology Center organized?

K-State's Advanced Manufacturing and Bulk Solids Technology Center is part of the Kansas State University Olathe campus, located in a suburb of Kansas City. The Center is a collaborative partnership of university and industry to provide training, research and services to industry. The center is building on the training, research and service in bulk solids and expanding to other areas of manufacturing and supply chain.

The center is made possible with a collaboration of K-State, industry support and funding from the Johnson County (Kansas) Education Research Triangle for the initial construction. More than two dozen industrial companies are donating equipment, instruction and other support.

Meet the Team

Meet the team at the Bulk Solids Technology Center. They work with industry partners, develop and instruct short courses, conduct research on bulk solids and powders, and more.

	Todd Smith Center Manager Full bio
	Kevin Solofra Lab Manager Full bio