Ben Freireich Email & Phone Number

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Chicago, Illinois

Research member consortium, contract research laboratory, and training source recognized globally as the foremost authority on multi-phase particle technology and large-scale experimentation.Directs all member research programs generating fundamental knowledge in the area of particle technology focusing of multiphase fluid-solid systems.Manages, estimate, and facilitate all contract research programs steadily increasing contract research revenue and gross margin.Lead a 20-member team; i.e. supervising, mentorship, hire/fire, ensure safety.Recruits highly sought-after research engineers and technicians.Devised a population balance framework for scaling bench scaling up attrition tests.Establishes and maintain relationships with over thirty member companies ranging from start-ups to Fortune 500 in size and scope.

Midland, Michigan

The Core R&D Solids Processing Lab is the premier engineering science center of expertise in powder, particle, and bulk solids processing responsible for process development and existing process troubleshooting globally for the Dow Chemical Company.Carbon Fiber Product Performance ImprovementLead technical interactions and hypothesis path for Dow team (>15 scientists)Applied Fourier analysis to establish fiber linear density variation (LDV) sampling protocol, used to drastically limit plausible LDV generation mechanismsOrganized hypothesis elimination path and matrix to systematically limit plausible root causes of LDVBuilt and sustained a relationship between companies, continents, and cultures in an extremely politically fraught environmentAg Chemical Solids Processing Development DAS Provided full process conceptualization for solids handling of multiple productions and formulation of those productsDevised method for laboratory assessment and scale up vacuum batch contract dryingCirculating Fluidized Bed Reactor Design and OptimizationGenerated a model of cyclic catalyst deactivation due to insufficient regeneration – enabling quantitative understanding of complex links between reaction, combustion, and regeneration

Midland, Mi

Developed and applied a population balance modeling for predicting catalyst deactivation due to preferential attrition in circulating fluidized bed systemsGuided six faculty and two graduate students at Carnegie Melon University as part of Dow’s University Partnership Initiative for the project Organic Suspension StabilityDeveloped a measurement protocol for predicting polymer agglomerate strength towards improving a supplier specification and troubleshooting a compaction unit operationConsulted on general solids processing issues including bin design, fluidized beds, pneumatic conveying, mixing and blending, segregating systems, size reduction, etc.

Midland, Michigan

• Applied population balance modeling to predict solids losses from a fluidized bed aiding to prevent losses estimated at >$1MM/day• Developed and implemented a reactor model used for design decisions on a Dow developed circulating fluidized bed technology• Consulted on reactor solids loading equipment and procedures

West Lafayette, Indiana

Formulated a framework for integrating particle flow information from discrete element method (DEM) simulations into vessel-scale population balance (PB) models.Used the above framework to model spray coating of granular materials.Determined systematic relations between process parameters and particle flow for use in scale up of spray coating operations in paddle, rotating drum, and vertical axis mixers.Determined sensitivity of collision distributions measured using DEM simulations to model parameters such as particle stiffness, size, and coefficient of restitution

Lincolnwood, Illinois

Skokie, Illinois

Phd, Mechanical Engineering, 3.98

Master Of Science (Ms), Mechanical Engineering, 4.00

Bachelor Of Science (Bs), Mechanical Engineering, 3.80

Education record

One month backpacking through the Wind River Range Wyoming with 8 other hikers. Elected by peers to lead one of two groups.

High School Diploma

Activities and Societies: President — Engineering club, Vice president — Junior Statesmen Association, Illinois Drafting Educator.