The effects of inserts on flow behavior of cohesive bulk solids in a model bin
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Date
1998-06-01T00:00:00Z
Authors
Hao, Bin
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Abstract
Experiments were performed to investigate the effects of inserts on flow behavior of cohesive materials stored in a two-dimensional wedge-shaped model bin. A hopper half angle of 60 degrees and an opening of 38 mm were employed in the tests. A video camera recorded images of flow patterns of the stored material during discharge. A computer image processing tool was used to analyze the acquired images to determine the influence of inserts on flow patterns and velocity profiles. The discharge rate was measured using transducers. The tests were performed without inserts, with fixed inserts, and with rotating inserts installed in the bin. For the tests with fixed inserts, the heights of the inserts were 83, 174, 261, and 450 mm, and for the tests with rotating inserts, the heights of the inserts were 53 and 174 mm. Each test was repeated three times. The introduction of the fixed insert at a height of 216 mm and the rotating insert at a height of 174 mm improved the flow quality to the point where the bin was emptied without intervention. Inserts caused significant changes to flow patterns and velocity profiles. Compared to the flow rate without insert , the average flow rate increased 15% and 28% for the fixed insert at 174 mm and at 261 mm, respectively, and 21% for the rotating insert at the height of 174 mm. No further improvement in flows was observed by increasing the height of the fixed insert after 261 mm. The rotating insert performed better than the fixed inserts did in improving material flow. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)