CEV504 PARTICLE AND BULK MATERIAL HANDLING

ASSIGNMENT 1

Question 1 (PO1, CO2, C3)

a) Define the following equivalent sphere diameter: equivalent volume diameter, equivalent
surface diameter, equivalent surface-volume diameter. Determine the values of each one
for cuboid of dimensions 1mm, 2mm and 6mm.
(6 marks)

b) The starting point for the design philosophy of a hopper is the flow-no flow criterion. In
general, powders develop strength under the action of compacting stress. Figure 1 shows
the plot of variation of strength of powder with compacting stress for cohesive and free-
flowing powders.

Figure 1 Variation of strength of powder with compacting stress for cohesive and free-
flowing powder.

Referring to Figure 1, predict why arching could occur in a hopper and identify how the
following factors could affect arching:

i) hopper flow factor, ff

ii) unconfined yield stress, σy.
(4 marks)

Question 2 (PO2, CO2, C5)

A new pharmaceutical company plan to design a hopper to store the drug powder before
transporting to mixing process. Silo with a bulk volume of 6 m3 will be used as storage system in
the factory. The silo can withstand 5000kg of drug powder. Drug powder has the effective angle
of internal friction, δ of 40º and has a kinematic angle of wall friction on stainless steel, of 28º.
From the shear cell test analysis on the processed powder, the powder flow function data was
obtained and tabulated in Table 1.

Table 1: Pairs of values of unconfined yield stress and compacting stress

Unconfined yield stress 1.30 1.90 2.30 3.10 4.40

(kN/m2)
Compacting yield 3.20 3.70 4.20 4.70 5.20
stress (kN/m2)

As a project engineer in this company, you are required to solve for the maximum semi-included
angle and estimate the minimum outlet diameter of the hopper to ensure flow when the valve is
opened

(15 marks)