Published Resources Details
Journal Article
- Title
- The dynamics of granular material flow through curved chutes (and Discussion)
- In
- Mechanical and Chemical Engineering Transactions
- Imprint
- vol. MC3, no. 2, Nov 1967, pp. 216-
- Description
[This paper was jointly awarded The Institution Award 1967]
- Abstract
This paper presents an analysis of the gravity flow of granular materials through curved chutes with the aim of providing data for optimum chute design. The generalised equations of motion are established from dynamic equilibrium considerations, these equations being of the second-order, non-linear type. Numerical solutions to these equations have been obtained With the aid of the digital computer for three different chute types, namely, circularly curved, parabolic and cycloidal. These solutions have been compared with results obtained from experiment, good agreement being obtained. The solutions apply mainly to the condition in which the grain stream thickness is small in relation to the chute radii of curvature.
The investigation shows that the grain stream thickness varies along the chute with the minimum stream thickness occurring at the point of maximum stream velocity. This point gives an indication of the optimum chute cut-off angle. Too large a cut-off angle may allow the stream thickness to build up to such an extent as to cause an obstruction and prevent further flow.