We can provide all your bulk material flow properties testing needs, including those requiring special handling such as hazardous or moisture-sensitive materials.

Standard test

A standard test report includes all of the following properties measured at room-temperature and ambient humidity conditions as well as plots of cohesive strength, surface friction angles, density as a function of consolidation pressure, and permeability at the hopper outlet:

u Critical conical hopper outlet dimension to prevent arching, both instantaneously and after a specified consolidation time period ranging from a few minutes to several days.

u Critical flow channel diameter to prevent ratholing, both instantaneously and after a specified consolidation time period ranging from a few minutes to several days.

u Limiting flow rate from the specified outlet.

u Minimum conical hopper slope to insure flow at the walls and thereby eliminate ratholing on 304-2B, 304-1stainless steel and any of two dozen other preferred wall materials.

u The expected density in the feeder.

u The expected density in the bin.

u The recommended chute angles to prevent buildup at impact points.

u The percent elastic springback after consolidation to pressures in the bin.

 

A standard test also includes a description of the material’s handling and processing capabilities as well as a conceptual sketch of the recommended equipment solution, if applicable.

 

Temperature and humidity test

We can test materials at constant or variable temperatures and humidity conditions to simulate typical plant conditions, seasonal outside storage or pneumatic conveying. Typical tests include all the data included in our standard test and any special handling recommendations imposed by temperature and humidity factors.  We can run tests from sub-freezing to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit and humidity conditions from zero to saturation.

 

Segregation test 

Segregation can be caused by sifting, angle of repose, fluidization, air currents, entrainment of fines, surface friction, impact on a fluidized layer of material or multiple combinations of these mechanisms.  Each produces different segregation patterns.  For example, air currents may carry fine product and deposit it near the silo wall.  Coarse material may impact on fluidized material and produce layered segregation. We can measure a material’s tendency to segregate due to any or all these mechanisms. 

 

Degradation test 

Some materials are more affected by plant conditions than most and will significantly degrade through each processing step.  We can measure a material’s impact degradation, reproduce the potential graphically as a function of velocity and fall height, and recommend equipment, handling or operational procedures to reduce product degradation. 

 

Other tests

In addition to the basic tests described above, we provide the following: instantaneous strength test; high pressure strength test; compaction screw test; friction test; density test; special handling (glove box) test; submerged materials test; worst and best case determination test; and scale model tests.

 

Experience shows testing is the key to successful material handling and equipment design or selection.  Testing removes the guesswork, saving both time and money.  Using the Johanson Indicizer® System and scaled process elements, we can accurately simulate the specific humidity, temperature and time conditions at a plant.

Available material flow properties tests

u   Available tests

What are the Johanson Indices?

Materials we’ve tested from A to Z

► Johanson Indices         

► Materials we’ve tested     

Copyright 2007 Diamondback Technology, Inc.

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