Rachid Ben Slimane

Address :

Education:

• Ph.D. in Mineral Engineering
  Dissertation Title: Desulfurization of Hot Coal-Derived Fuel Gases with Manganese-Based Regenerable Sorbents.
  Advisor: Prof. Malcolm T. Hepworth
  UNIVERSITY of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN.
  August 1994

• Masters of Science in Metallurgical Engineering
  Thesis Title: Application of a Submerged Lance Injection Technique to the Direct Smelting of a Missouri Lead Concentrate.
  Advisor: Prof. Arthur E. Morris
  UNIVERSITY of MISSOURI-ROLLA, Rolla, MO.
  June 1990

• Bachelor of Science in Metallurgical Engineering
  with High Scholastic Honors (GPA: 3.6/4.0)
  Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO.
  June 1988

Research Interests:

• Reactor design for homogeneous and heterogeneous reactions and analysis of reactors from thermodynamic and kinetic point of view;
• Coal combustion, gasification, and power generation systems; desulfurization of coal-derived fuel and flue gases at high temperature;
• Environmental problems associated with metallurgical operations and waste metal recycling; processing of solid and hazardous waste materials;
• Pollution prevention / control processes;
• Process design / Separation processes; and
• Application of thermodynamics, heat and mass balances, and kinetics to the understanding, analysis, and design of pyro-, hydro-, and electro-metallurgical processes for the extraction of ferrous and non-ferrous metals from their concentrates.

Research & Academic Experience:

• Chemical Engineer
  Gas Processing Division, Institute of Gas Technology
  Currently conducting research toward the development of a copper-based sorbent for the desulfurization of hot coal-derived fuel gases; development of advanced high temperature metal oxide-based sorbents for H2S removal from fuel gases in a fluidized-bed reactor.

• Post-Doctoral Research Associate
  Department of Civil & Mineral Engineering,
  University of Minnesota
  Development of novel manganese-based sorbent pellets for the effective desulfurization of coal-derived fuel gases (i.e. H2S removal) in the temperature range 600 to 800 oC. Thermodynamic and Kinetic analysis of the Mn-S-O system to guide experimental work in sorbent development. Formulation of Mn-based sorbents for the desulfurization of coal combustion gases (i.e. SO2 removal) at temperatures around 400 oC.

• Graduate Research Assistant
  Department of Civil & Mineral Engineering,
  University of Minnesota
  Carried out research on the recovery of manganese from in-situ leach liquors as a sulfur sorbent for coal gasifiers. Planned and conducted numerous experimental tasks to develop high-temperature desulfurization manganese-based sorbents as part of a DOE-sponsored research contract "Hot coal gas desulfurization with a manganese-based regenerable sorbent." Developed and patented a novel process for the manufacture of manganese-based spherical pellets having the desired physical and chemical characteristics required during the long-term cyclic sulfidation and regeneration in a high-temperature desulfurization operation.

• Twin Cities Research Center, U.S. Bureau of Mines
  Conducted extensive testing of the reactivity of manganese-based pellets with simulated coal-derived fuel gases using their sophisticated thermogravimetric apparatus (TGA).

• Salt Lake City Research Center, U.S. Bureau of Mines
  Conducted experimental work, using a continuous flow system, on the recovery of manganese from leach liquors originating from in-situ mining in northern Minnesota.

• Graduate Research Assistant
  The Generic Mineral Technology Center for Pyrometallurgy,
  UNIVERSITY of MISSOURI-ROLLA
  Conducted experimental and theoretical work on the Pb-S-O system and batch smelting of a Missouri high-grade lead concentrate; developed a thermodynamic model for flash smelting of lead concentrates suggesting alternative process routes.

• Teaching Assistant
  For a solid waste management class: helped with the design of homework assignments and exams; provided solutions and went over them in class; grading.

• Tutor
  Martin Luther King Program, University of Minnesota
  In Math, Physics, and Chemistry.
  Academic year 91-92

• Attended and passed a 2-week Teaching Assistant preparation course
  UNIVERSITY of MISSOURI-ROLLA.

• TAU BETA PI tutor during junior and senior years
  Colorado School of Mines.

Publications:

Inventions and Patents:
• R. Ben-Slimane and M. T. Hepworth, "Regenerable Manganese-Based Sorbent Pellets and Methods of Manufacture and Use," U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 08/261,434 : Filed June 17, 1994.

• L. Redden, R. Ben-Slimane, M. T. Hepworth, and G. Welch, "Recovery of Manganese Carbonate from Leach Liquor," U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 08/339,083 : Filed November 1994.

• M. T. Hepworth and R. Ben-Slimane, "Manganese Dioxide as a Reagent for Flue Gas Cleanup of Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) and Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) from Utility Coal Combustion Systems," U. S. Patent Disclosure, University of Minnesota Docket Number 95099, February 1995.

Refereed Journal Articles:
• M. T. Hepworth, R. Ben-Slimane, and S. Zhong, "Thermodynamic Comparison of Several Sorbent Systems for Hot Coal-Derived Fuel-Gas Desulfurization," Energy & Fuels, 1993, 7, 602-609.

• R. Ben-Slimane and M. T. Hepworth, "Desulfurization of Hot Coal-Derived Fuel Gases with Manganese-Based Regenerable Sorbents. 1. Loading (Sulfidation) Tests," Energy & Fuels, 1994, 8, 1175-1183.

• R. Ben-Slimane and M. T. Hepworth, "Desulfurization of Hot Coal-Derived Fuel Gases with Manganese-Based Regenerable Sorbents. 2. Regeneration and Multicycle Tests," Energy & Fuels, 1994, 8, 1184-1191.

• R. Ben-Slimane and M. T. Hepworth, "Desulfurization of Hot Coal-Derived Fuel Gases with Manganese-Based Regenerable Sorbents. 3. Fixed-Bed Testing," Energy & Fuels, 1995, 9, 372-378.

• M. T. Hepworth and R. Ben-Slimane, "Recovery of Vanadium, Nickel, and Carbon from Orinoco Crudes via Flexicoking," Submitted for Publication in The Journal of Resource Management and Technology, March 1995.

• R. Ben-Slimane, R. Stuart, and M. T. Hepworth, "Preparation and Testing of Value-Added Sulfur Sorbent Pellets from In Situ Mined Minnesota Manganese Deposits," Submitted for Publication in Environmental Science & Technology, February 1996.

Refereed Conference Articles:
• A. E. Morris, R. Ben-Slimane, and W. Mang, "Phase Equilibria and Thermodynamic Modeling of the Lead-Sulfur-Oxygen System and Applications to Direct Lead Smelting," Mervyn Willis Symposium and Smelting & Refining Course, 6-8 July, 1992, University of Melbourne, Australia.

• A.E. Morris, W. Mang, and R. Ben-Slimane, "The Thermodynamics of Oxygen Flash Smelting of Lead Concentrates," 123rd TMS Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA, 1994.

• R. Ben-Slimane and M. T. Hepworth, "Hot Coal Gas Desulfurization with Manganese-Based Regenerable Sorbents," Proceedings of the Coal-Fired Power Systems 93 -- Advances in IGCC and PFBC Review Meeting, June 1993, David L. Bonk editor, DOE/METC - 93/6131, NTIS, Springfield, VA, pp. 432-444.

• R. Ben-Slimane and M. T. Hepworth, "Hot Coal Gas Desulfurization with Manganese-Based Regenerable Sorbents," Proceedings of the Coal-Fired Power Systems 94 -- Advances in IGCC and PFBC Review Meeting, June 1994, H. M. McDaniel et al. editors, DOE/METC - 94/1008, Vol. 1, pp. 337-350.

• J. Abbasian, R.B. Slimane, and A.H. Hill "Development of Regenerable Copper-Based Sorbents for Hot Gas Desulfurization," Proceedings of the Coal Utilization & Fuel Systems Conference, March 18-21, 1996, Clearwater, Florida.

• J. Abbasian, R.B. Slimane, A. Hill, R. Ayala, and M.F. Stephanopoulos "Development of Advanced Sorbents for Desulfurization of Coal Gases at Elevated Temperatures," 3rd International Symposium and Exhibition: Gas Cleaning at High Temperatures, 18-20 September, 1996, University of Karlsruhe, Karlsruhe, Germany.

Book Reviews:
R. Ben-Slimane and M. T. Hepworth, "FGD performance and experience on coal-fired plants," by M. Takeshita and H. Soud. IEACR/58: IEA Coal Research, London. 139 pages, Energy & Fuels, January 1994.

Technical Reports:
• R. Ben-Slimane and A. E. Morris, "The Application of a Submerged Lance Injection Technique to the Direct Smelting of a Missouri Lead Concentrate," Final Report for 1989-1990, University of Missouri-Rolla.

• R. Ben-Slimane and M. T. Hepworth, "Selective Mining Methods for Minnesota, Minnesota Initiative Project: Manganese Recovery from In-Situ Leach Liquors," Final Report for 1992, University of Minnesota.

• R. Ben-Slimane and M. T. Hepworth, "Hot Coal Gas Desulfurization with Manganese-Based Regenerable Sorbents," Quarterly Reports 1-8 to Morgantown Energy Technology Center, 1992-1994.

Other Publications:
• R. Ben-Slimane, "The Application of a Submerged Lance Injection Technique to the Direct Smelting of a Missouri Lead Concentrate," M.S. Thesis, 1990, University of Missouri-Rolla.

• R. Ben-Slimane, "Desulfurization of Hot Coal-Derived Fuel Gases with Manganese-Based Regenerable Sorbents," PhD Dissertation, University of Minnesota, October 1994.

Honors and Activities:

• Nominated for the KUWAIT PRIZE 1994 in the field of Arab and Islamic Scientific Heritage (Mining and Metallurgy)
• Dean's List for five semesters at CSM
• Honor Roll for two semesters at CSM
• Received B.Sc. degree with High Scholastic Honors
• Member of The Metallurgical Society (TMS)