Biography:
Ken has 27 years of experience in bulk material handling. He was employed 25 years at Poly Hi Solidur, 1978-2003, where he formed and led their lining organization. He held a variety of roles including domestic and international sales, product development and project management. He took a leadership role in developing the worldwide knowledge for the application and use of UHMW in the bulk material handling industry.
Ken has actively participated in project work in 35 countries, specializing in solving bulk material flow challenges. He conducts educational seminars on bulk material flow and abrasion on a global basis and has authored several papers on the subject.
Know-how and experience:
Ken developed the first UHMW installation technical manual. His close involvement with bulk material handling allowed him to identify accelerated wear in chutes downstream of fasteners which led to the development of the UHMW capped elevator bolt. He then worked closely with the product development team of TRW Nelson Division in the early 80s to adapt the stud welding process as an alternative installation method for UHMW sheets. Many of Ken’s developments are still being used today by the major UHMW suppliers around the world. In the following years, the installation methods were constantly perfected until they were suitable for the large coal silos while continual improvement is on-going.
While leading the UHMW industry into bulk material handling he gained global recognition for his knowledge and understanding of bulk material flow. He also maintains a personal relationship with many of the world’s leading flow consultants and is known by many of the leading engineering firms.
Publications:
Steppling, K., Chakraborti, S. K., Hossfeld, R. J., Mesing, R.: How to Achieve Reliable Coal Flow and Maintain Plant Availability, Presented at POWER-GEN International, Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida, December 11, 2002 and again at the Energy Generation Conference (EGC), Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota, January 28-30, 2003.
Steppling, K.: The Solution Approach to Flow Problems using TIVAR 88, Presented at 1996 National Conference on Bulk Materials Handling, Sep. 30 -Oct. 2, 1996, Melbourne, Australia and again at the International Materials Handling Conference, BELTCON 9, Midrand, Republic of South Africa, Oct. 22, 1997.
Steppling, K., McAtee, K., Huggins, J.: How Northern States Power Company Solved Handling Problems Associated with Sub-Bituminous Coal, Presented at POWER-GEN AMERICAS 94 Conference, Orlando, Florida, December, 7-9, 1994.
Steppling, K.P., Hossfeld, R.J.: Proper Techniques for Installing and using UHMW-PE Liners, Powder and Bulk Engineering, Nov. 1988.
Steppling, K, Hossfeld, R. J.: The use and Installation of UHMW to Facilitate Flow, Presented at the Powder and Bulk Solids Conference, Rosemont Convention Center, Rosemont, Illinois, May 1986.
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About Ken Steppling
