Rachid Ben Slimane
Born on April 22, 1964, Sousse, Tunisia
Single
Address :
Office
Institute of Gas Technology
1700 S. Mt. Prospect Rd.
Des Plaines, IL 60018, USA
Tel: (847) 768-0606
Fax: (847) 768-0600
Home
1320 S. Elmhurst Rd. # 112
Mt. Prospect, IL 60056
Tel: (847) 437-3963
In Tunisia
7 Rue Rajah Ibrahim
Akouda 4022, Sousse, Tunisia
Tel: +216-3-256-217
E-mail:
slimane@igt.org
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)