Hopper Design in Practice

• Flow factor charts published by Jenike in 1964

• Available for wedge and conical hoppers at effective
angle of internal friction, δ = 30°, 40°, 50°, 60° and 70°
• e.g. for δ = 30°

region to left of this line is mass flow

Jenike Flow Factor for δ = 30° (from Rhodes)
Jenike Flow Factor for δ = 40° (from Rhodes)
Jenike Flow Factor for δ = 50° (from Rhodes)
Jenike Flow Factor for δ = 60° (from Rhodes)
 Hopper Design Worked Example from Rhodes
Yield Loci
Consolidating and Unconfined Yield Stress
Circles Drawn Tangential to Yield Loci
σc 1.3 1.6 2.0 2.4
σy 0.78 0.85 0.91 0.97 δ=30°

• Bulk density under flow conditions = 1300kgm3

• Determine maximum hopper angle and minimum outlet diameter for conical hopp
Hopper Design Worked Example from Rhodes
Powder Flow Function
σc 1.3 1.6 2.0 2.4
σy 0.78 0.85 0.91 0.97
 Hopper Design Worked Example from Rhodes
Kinematic Angle of Friction between Powder and Steel Wall

φW=19°

So, δ=30° and φW=19°

 Hopper Design Worked Example from Rhodes
Determine Hopper Flow Function (ff) and Hopper Angle (θ)
• Use Jenike Chart for δ=30°
• Read across to Mass Flow Limit at φW=19°

• Determine max hopper angle = 30.5°

• 3° safety margin gives hopper angle, θ = 27.5° and ff=1.8
 Hopper Design Worked Example from Rhodes
Powder Flow Function vs Hopper Flow Function
𝜎𝐶
𝜎𝐷 =
𝑓𝑓

𝜎𝑦 = f 𝜎𝐶
 Hopper Design Worked Example from Rhodes
Determine Minimum Hopper Outlet Diameter
• Hopper Angle θ = 27.5° and critical stress σcrit = 0.83kNm-2

𝜃
• 𝐻 𝜃 = 2.0 + = 2.46
60

𝐻 𝜃 𝜎
• 𝐵𝑚𝑖𝑛 = crit = 2.46×0.83
= 0.16𝑚
𝜌𝑏 𝑔 1300×9.81