Compression of a Cohesive Powder in a Storage Container by Centrifugual Force

Abstract

This study discusses the compression behavior of a cohesive powder by centrifugal force in a storage container that rotates horizontally. The stresses and the bulk density of the powder in the storage container were numerically calculated using the force balance acting on an elemental slice of powder layer and the flow properties of powder. Experiments were also carried out with kaolin powder using a cylinder or a silo with a diameter of 40mm under centrifugal force 100 to 1000 times the gravity. The powder bed was gradually compressed and was fully compressed within 10 minutes. The accuracy of the prediction by the present model is ±3% compared to the average bulk density of the powder measured by the compression experiments.