Apparatus and test method for determining flow or no flow conditions of bulk solids

摘要

Apparatus and a test method for bench scale determination of whether a particulate material will flow under the action of gravity alone from an outlet in the bottom of a container. The apparatus includes a test cell having inclined conical side walls, and that is closed at its larger end by a plug having an inwardly-facing surface that is concave and conforms to a coaxial cone. In this way, cylindrical surfaces are avoided, and the shape of the space within the test cell offers minimal interference with the plastic stress field of the material. This testing method includes the novel step of inverting the test cell after consolidation of the test material but prior to application of the failure load.