Measuring powder flowability: A comparison of test methods — Part II
Measuring your dry bulk powder's flow properties, which helps determine the powder's flowability, is the first step in designing a silo or other handling equipment that won't develop arching, segregation, or other flow problems. This two-part article compares several methods for measuring flowability. Part I, which appeared in April 1996, provides the background you need for evaluating various flowability test methods against the industry-standard shear test developed by A. W. Jenike. Part II can help you choose a test method that is simpler to perform than the Jenike shear test but still provides the qualitative or quantitative flowability measurements you need.
Before discussing flowability test methods, it's helpful to understand how to evaluate each method's measuring accuracy.