The document discusses the state of the powder handling industry. It covers the history of powder handling science dating back to the 18th century. It notes the struggling economy has led to plant closures and staff reductions in the industry. There is also a lack of education around powder handling science in universities. New technology development has slowed due to reduced research budgets. However, aging equipment will need to be upgraded, providing opportunities for vendors. The document calls for improving education of powder handling science in universities to address issues in the industry.

1. The State of the
Powder Handling
Industry
Presented by:
Joe Florkowski of Powder & Bulk Solids
Joe Marinelli of Solids Handling Technologies

2. History

Coulomb and Rankine (1773 & 1857)

Janssen (1895)

Jenike (1960’s)

3. Economy
• Power plants shutting down
• Upgrades to existing plants nonexistent
• Staff reductions especially
engineering

4. Education
• Solids handling not taught at
university level
• Most new engineers not aware of the
science of solids handling
• International universities involved
with solids handling applications
• Familiarity with Bulletin 123

5. Research
• New technology seemingly nonexistent
• R & D budgets slashed to make ends
meet

6. Economy Improving
• Recovering slowly
• Aging equipment will have to be
upgraded
• Provides opportunities for reliable
vendors to help their customers

7. Retrofits vs. New Equipment
• More companies fixing existing
equipment
• May be more practical to replace
with new equipment
• Requires knowledge of solids
handling and a practical approach

8. Stagnation Due to Lack of
Education
• Engineering graduates have no
knowledge of the science of bulk
solids handling
• Challenged addressing solids
handling problems
• Purdue University offers one
semester course on the topic

9. DEM Advances
• Discrete element modeling
interesting tool
• Predominantly for chutes
• Strides being made for bins and
feeders
• Fine particles difficult to model in a
reasonable amount of compute
time

11. Biomass Handling
• Alternative and renewable energy
critical
• Wood pellets or chips for heat
• Soy, animal fats for biofuels
• Sugarcane, corn starch, switchgrass,
bamboo, palm
• Agricultural and municipal waste
• Estimated at 146 billion tons/yr used

12. Flowability measurements
• Jenike Shear Tester
 Standard in Europe and US
• Other devices available
 Ring shear, Brookfield,
Freeman, rotational (Peschl)

13. Direct Shear Testers
Brookfield
Peschl
Ring
Jenike
Freeman

14. Proper Design Technique
• How to use flow properties test
results
• Practical designs to ensure
reliable flow

15. A Better Understanding of
Flow Promoting Devices
• Vibration
 Vibrators, bin dischargers, etc.
• Aeration
 Aeration nozzles, air blasters
• Retrofits
 Wedges, liners, cone-in-cone

16. Pneumatic Conveying
Correlation



Develop correlation between solids
flow properties and pneumatic
conveying
Is there a way to correlate pickup
velocity or line pressure drop to
flow properties
Helpful values are: particle density,
particle size distribution and shape

17. Silo Quaking Issues



Flow of certain materials cause
serious vibrations
Typically occurs with
incompressible materials
Some possible solutions

19. Segregation Problems

Segregation problems are common

Several mechanisms that cause it

Detailed study of entire process
required

20. Ultra Conservative Rathole
Calculations



Rathole calculations are too conservative
Jenike found conservative approach
necessary
An approach to determine stresses acting
on solids in funnel flow is required

21. Testing Flaky Materials

How to test elastic or flaky products

These materials do not shear well

Shear cells too small for large
particle flakes

22. Education


Why is solids handling not taught in
universities?
Industry needs to push for this topic
to be taught at local universities

23. Future



More advanced internet usage,
perhaps through apps
3D printing may play a role
Venues like this powder show are a
necessity

24. Find Joe’s Powder Perspectives column online at:
http://www.powderbulksolids.com/powder-perspectives