ABSTRACT
Fine powders often exhibit significant twophase (solid/gas) interactions when they are
handled in bins, hoppers, and processing
vessels. As a result, numerous and more
complex flow problems can occur which are not
observed with larger particle bulk solids.
The powders flow pattern has a major effect on
the development of certain flow problems,
especially flooding.
This can usually be
overcome by using mass flow designs.
Unfortunately, when mass flow is achieved the
powders discharge rate through a hopper outlet
may be severely restricted.
These phenomena are explored along with
related topics such as:
Source: Royal, T. A. and Carson, J. W.: Fine Powder Flow Phenomena in Bins, Hoppers and Processing Vessels.
Presented at Bulk 2000: Bulk Material Handling Towards the Year 2000, London, 1991.
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2.3 Segregation
Fine powders can also segregate, usually by one
of two mechanisms: (2)
Bulk
density/consolidating
relationship:
3.1 Example
The types of conditions which can occur are
best illustrated by means of an example. Using
a proprietary, two-phase flow computer program
(5) we have analyzed the bin shown in Fig. 1.
For this analysis we have assumed that this mass
flow bin is filled with a dry sludge powder
having the following flow properties:
$ '
= 0& )
% 0 (
where:
3050mm I.D.
" % a
K = Ko $$ ''
#o&
where:
6100mm
20
0 = 0.62 kPa
0 = 0.577 tonne/m3
= 0.05
A36 carbon
steel cylinder
2B surface finish
304 stainless steel
pressure
K0 = 0.00335 m/sec
a = 6.4
3771mm
Z Global (meters)
6
cyl. height 6.1m
-2
-4
-1.5
-1
-0.5
8
Flow rate: 7 tonne/hr
Z Global (meters)
dp / dz
,
dimensionless
-1.13
-1.22
-1.31
Average vertical
solids contact
stress
-2
V, kPa
-4
-4
0.106
0.067
0.032
-2
average vertical
solids stress
0.3
0.2
-2
air pressure
0.1
-4
0.0
-6
-0.1
-8
critical rate
7.5 tonne/hr.
-0.2
0
10
20
6
Z Global (meters)
0.4
no air permeation
-2
-10
30
40
-4
-4
-2
4.2 Settlement
6500
6400
455 tonne/hr. fill
6300
6200
91 tonne/hr. fill
6100
-20
20
40
60
80
14
12
10
8
6
4
91 tonne/hr. fill
2
0
-20
20
40
60
80