Powders and Bulk Solids

In the engineering community the handling of powders and bulk solids is called bulk solids technology being, at least in Germany, part of mecha- cal process engineering. If mechanical processes are used for this transformation, the engineering discipline is called mechanical process engineering. The book concentrates on powder flow properties, their measurement and applications. These topics are explained starting from the interactions between individual particles up to the design of silos. A wide range of problems are discussed – such as flow obstructions, segregation, and vibrations. The goal is to provide a deeper understanding of the powder flow, and to show practical solutions. In the first part the fundamentals of bulk solids flow are outlined: particle-particle interactions, stress, friction, strength, density, flow properties and methods of measurement, shear testers and other test procedures, specific properties of powders and how they are influenced by moisture, temperature, and flow agents. The second part deals with the application of the flow properties in the design of properly working bulk solid containers like bins, silos, and hoppers. Other topics include: the technical design of silo walls, feeders, discharge aids, inserts, the assessment of stresses in silos, segregation and how to avoid it, and vibrations or shocks occurring in silos.