Dr Christian Doblin

Christian is a chemical engineer, graduating from Monash University with a PhD in 1992. He then joined CSIRO Division of Mineral and Process Engineering and throughout his career has been involved in process design, measurement and improvement. Much of his work has been directed at solving problems for industry. Christian has developed expertise in gas, solids processing noteably fluidised bed technology and separation, especially cyclone design. Projects have included developing a four hole pressure (Cobra) probe for measuring gas velocities (speed and direction) in dirty gas streams. This technique has been used in the laboratory and industrial settings.In 2003 Christian joined the Light Metals Flagship and was project leader for an Australian Magnesium Corporation project investigating the production magnesium chloride diammoniate as a feed material for electrolytic magnesium production.  In 2004 he joined a titanium production project with the goal of developing a continuous process for producing commercially pure (CP) titanium powder. In 2007 he assumed the role of project leader. Between 2007 and 2018 he has overseen the development and scale-up of a novel titanium powder production process to the point where a pilot plant has been built with a commercial partner in Laverton, Victoria. The technology is now being commercialised by the Australian company Coogee Titanium. Christian has explored other systems to which the TiRO process can be applied, e.g. titanium alloys and other metals such as zirconium.

In 2018 Christian transferred to CSIRO Manufacturing where he continues to to involved in metal powder research. His work has included modifying metal powders through high shear milling and characterizing the flow and spreadability of powders in powder bed fusion systems. Of particular interest is exploring ways cheaper irregularly shaped powders can be used in additive manufacturing. He is leading cold spray projects related to corrosion resistant coatings and production of titanium alloy preforms.

Christian has developed significant expertise in process scale-up having gained much experience on the TiRO process. Christian now spends a portion of his time in FloWorks scaling up flow processes to the pilot scale and developing novel reactor geometries. He also consults to other teams on scaling up processes. Christian is an experienced HAZOP leader and well versed in designing, building and operating plant safely.