Evaluation of a semi empirical model for predicting bulk flow properties based on measured

particle properties

A recent Defra funded project delivered the Brookfield Power Flow Tester (PFT) which powder
processing/ manufacturing industry can use to measure the flowability of their powders. Once you
are in position that you measure powder flowability, the next obvious question is then, what can I do
to control or modify flowability? A second Defra sponsored project has been started to address this
question. The key objective of the project is to provide a toolkit for assisting flavourists to quickly
and economically optimise the flow properties of blended materials. It is anticipated that the toolkit
will comprise a collection of particle and bulk flow property measurement techniques and software
model linking the particle and bulk properties. It is envisaged that the model predicting the bulk
flow properties based on particle properties can be calibrated against an output from an actual flow
function test. The calibrated model can then be used to investigate effects of changes to particle
size, moisture content, blend ingredients etc to optimise the blend, reducing testing requirements.
This paper presents a literature review of models linking particle to bulk properties and the results
preliminary modelling work. Preliminary model predictions for the effect of particle size of dry
cohesive powders and increasing moisture content (to point of saturation) on a number of granular
materials are compared with actual measured strengths.