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EME Faculty

Bio

Biographical Sketch

Mark S. Klima is currently the Associate Head in the Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering. He previously served as the Undergraduate Program Officer for Environmental Systems Engineering. Prior to coming to Penn State, he worked with the U.S. Department of Energy where he was the project leader on the development of the Micro-Mag Process, a patented fine-coal cleaning process. He also served as project engineer during the design and installation of the Coal Preparation Process Research Facility at the Pittsburgh Energy Technology Center. He has also worked as a quality control assistant with the Rochester & Pittsburgh Coal Company at the Keystone and New Florence coal preparation plants. He has consulted with a wide variety of companies including coal companies, equipment manufacturers, environmental firms, and powder producers.

Educational Background

Ph.D. (Mineral Processing), The Pennsylvania State University, 1987

M.S. (Mineral Processing), The Pennsylvania State University, 1982

B.S. (Mining Engineering, Mineral Processing Option), The Pennsylvania State University, 1980

Certifications

Registered Professional Engineer in Pennsylvania (1995)

Active Research Projects

Currently, Dr. Klima is evaluating the performance of a plate-and-frame filter press for dewatering fine and ultrafine particle slurries. The focus of the work is on dewatering anthracite and bituminous coal slurries, including both product and refuse material. Testing is being conducted to evaluate key process variables using material collected form various coal cleaning facilities.

A detailed study has also been carried out to evaluate the performance of a two-stage spiral for processing fine and ultrafine coal and coal refuse. The effects of solids concentrations and volumetric flow rate were evaluated. Samples were also collected from operating anthracite and bituminous coal cleaning facilities for use as the test material.

He has also been involved in several projects to evaluate the use of low-cost physical beneficiation techniques to process various slag wastes for carbon, metal, and/or aggregate recycling and to remediate soil contaminated with heavy metals and/or oil.

Selected Publications

1. Benusa, M.D., and M.S., Klima, An Evaluation of a Two-Stage Spiral Processing Ultrafine Bituminous Coal, International Journal of Coal Preparation and Utilization, 28, 1-24 (2008).
2. Wolfe, E., and M.S. Klima, "Processing Fine Stainless-Steel Slag using Spiral Concentration," Journal of Environmental Science and Health: Part A - Toxic/Hazardous Substances and Environmental Engineering, A43, 495-502 (2008).
3. Arnold, B.J., M.S. Klima, and M.D. Benusa, "Fine Coal Spirals: Data from a Plant Circuit Treating 0.15x0.053 mm Coal," published in Coal Preparation in a Changing World, South African Coal Preparation Conference and Exhibition, Johannesburg, (September 2007).
4. Sadegh, A., and M.S. Klima, "Characterization and Upgrading of Fine Sillimanite Ore Using Wide-Angle Dense-Medium Cycloning," Minerals and Metallurgical Processing, 24(2), 67-74 (2007).
5. Wolfe, E., and M.S. Klima, "An Investigation of Wide-Angle Dense-Medium Cycloning for the Recovery of Metal and Aggregate from Fine Slag," Journal of Environmental Science and Health: Part A - Toxic/Hazardous Substances and Environmental Engineering, A41, 2199-2220 (2006).
6. Franko, J., and M.S. Klima, "Wet-Drum Magnetic Separation of Dense-Medium Slurries Containing Fine Coal Refuse," Coal Preparation, 25/3, 155-171 (2005).
7. Kim, B.H., and M.S. Klima, "Development and Application of a Dynamic Model for Hindered-Settling Column Separations," Minerals Engineering, 17, 403-410 (2004).
8. Turek, M.L., and M.S. Klima, "Dense-Medium Cycloning of Fine Coal Refuse Material," Coal Preparation, 23(5-6), 267-284 (2003).
9. Pinkerton, A.P., and M.S. Klima, "Evaluation of a Solid-Bowl Centrifuge for Ultrafine Size Separations," Minerals and Metallurgical Processing, 18(3), 162-166 (2001).
10. Klima, M.S., and P.T. Luckie, "Towards a General Distribution Model for Flowsheet Design," Coal Preparation, 20, 3-11 (1999).

Recent Activities and Awards

Activities

• Regional Editor, International Journal of Coal Preparation and Utilization
• Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc. (SME)
• Coal Preparation Society of America (CPSA)

Awards/Honors/Recognitions

• EMS College, Faculty Mentoring Award
• EMS College, Wilson Teaching Award
• U.S. Department of Energy Invention Award

Research Interests

• Mineral processing and coal preparation separations
• Gravity concentration and size classification processes
• Particle processing in remediation and recycling applications
• Size/density characterization of particulate systems
• Process flowsheet analysis and simulation

Teaching

EGEE 101 - Energy and the Environment (3)

GEOEE 412 - Geo-Environmental Engineering Laboratory (1)

MN PR 301 - Elements of Mineral Processing (3)

MN PR 401 - Mineral Process Engineering (3)

MN PR 413 - Mineral Process Laboratory (1)

MN PR 424 - Coal Preparation (3)

MN PR 505 - Physical Separations in Mineral Processing (3)

MN PR 506 - Mineral Process Plant Design (3-10)