Short course
Reliable Flow from Hoppers
Instructors
Jonathan McPherson
Jonathan McPherson is the director of K-State's Advanced Manufacturing and Bulk Solids Technology Center. Jonathan comes from industry having spent 11 years designing and commissioning material handling projects as a project engineer and developing business relationships in the markets of performance materials, battery and general industry as an account executive. His project backgrounds include plastics, PVC, paint, lead-acid battery, food and confectionary. Learn more about Jonathan
Dr. Kerry Johanson
Dr. Kerry Johanson, PE is the chief operations officer at Material Flow Solutions, Inc in Gainesville, Florida. He began his career in powder flow and material handling as a summer lab technician with Jenike & Johanson in Billerica, Massachusetts during his high school and undergraduate years. After receiving his BS in 1985, he spent 14 years with JR Johanson, Inc. in San Luis Obispo California, finally serving as their Chief Technical Officer. He received his PhD in chemical engineering from Brigham Young University in 1994 and in 2000, he branched out and moved to Florida, where he divides his time researching at the University of Florida Particle Engineering Research Center and serving as the Chief Operations Officer for Material Flow Solutions, Inc, the consulting firm he founded in 2001. He has authored more than 50 technical papers which have been published in numerous technical journals internationally. He has developed a course for teaching powder flow and technology to graduate students and mentored several doctoral graduates at the University of Florida. Dr. Johanson has presented numerous industry seminars on the topic of powder flow in industrial applications. Married for 45 years, he is the father of six children, and a grandfather to 24. He holds the rank of Eagle Scout with the BSA, and continues to serve as a youth leader in his community. Dr. Johanson holds PE licenses in both Florida and Utah and is an active member of AAPS, ACC&CE, AIChE, ASME and ASTM.
Kevin Solofra
Kevin Solofra earned his B.S. and M.S. in Ceramic Engineering from the University of Missouri-Rolla — now Missouri S&T.
Kevin has a background ranging from research engineering with product scale-up through process/production management in various industries. His experience started in the realm of electro-ceramics for appliances, followed by low wear ceramics and body armor, and most recently the glass industry for architectural, automotive and glass insulation.
From a process point of view, Kevin has dealt with all aspects from speccing raw materials, through conveying materials and all the way to finished part quality analysis. All of this has led to a strong blend of technical expertise combined with a manufacturing/business viewpoint to approaching, understanding, and working through industrial opportunities.
Who is it intended for?
Engineers, technicians, maintenance and operations personnel who work with bulk solids or the transportation of these materials.
Participants are encouraged to bring their specific questions and issues for discussion.
Format
This is a two-day in-person course held at K-State Olathe, which is located at 22201 W. Innovation Drive, Olathe, KS 66061.