In each issue, ABHR profiles a member of the Australian Society for Bulk Solids Handling (ASBSH). We speak to Shane Evans, a Mechanical Engineer at engineering services company Worley.
I have been a member of ASBSH since…
2017.
I am a member of ASBSH because…
membership provides me with updates to projects, emerging technologies, valuable software and informative articles on equipment and effective maintenance.
I got into bulk handling…
at my very first job out of high school. I worked at a sugar mill in far north Queensland where I was exposed to a wide range of bulk handling equipment and their importance in efficient design. Now as a Mechanical Engineer, the bulk handling discipline is so interesting as it requires a core understanding of flow properties and solid mechanics.
I love my current work because….
it allows me to produce innovative designs that meet our clients’ requirements. The main goal of engineering is to optimise reliability and efficiency with respect to economy. The equipment should provide maximum results while making life easier for the operators and maintenance teams. The bulk handling industry is also a fascinating one to me as its forever changing – this requires engineers to remain adept in the field.
In my role it’s important to…
never assume anything. Bulk solids can be greatly influenced by its particle properties and state of consolidation. You must therefore evaluate what properties and states may be present, these effects on the equipment and making sure the worst-cases have been considered.
The project I am most proud of is…
being part of the engineering, procurement, construction and management of Australia’s first molybdenum process plant. With the material being so unique, extensive testing was required to identify the flowability and material properties. This led to a lot of discussions on the hopper and screw conveyor interface including opening ratio and angle, geometries and auger layout to name a few.
My career highlight is…
taking the opportunity to work in Papua New Guinea and being introduced to another culture. It’s an absolute beautiful part of the world and a real engineering challenge. It’s hard to keep to a schedule when it rains for weeks on end.
I am inspired by …
my parents – they have led by example in their work ethic which has played a huge part in shaping my own career. Also, my work colleagues. They have a lot of bulk handling experience and I’m continually on the lookout to absorb some of their knowledge.
The most valuable lesson I have learned is …
it’s important to hold yourself accountable so if you make a mistake – own it. Communication is also an important art of engineering. If you don’t understand something or if anything is unclear, ask. This will save a lot of assumptions and re-work later on down the track.
My plan for the future is…
to become a subject matter expert in the bulk handling field. Also, if the opportunity arises, to issue a research paper that experimentally verifies the analytical models I use for designing equipment.
When I am not working you will probably find me…
rock climbing at Kangaroo Point. When it comes to the weekend, I am mostly hiking, camping or at the beach.