(758f) Discharge Rate of Fine Powders in Conical Hoppers

Fine powders are known to exhibit reduced discharge rates during the emptying of hoppers and bins. This is due to the adverse gas pressure gradients which occur at the exit point, due to the impermeability of the bulk solids and its inability to dilate as it flows through the cone section of a silo. In this work, we present the experimental results for air pressure distribution and mass flow rate of fine powders through conical hoppers. The effect of material properties and fill level are presented.