Discussion:

The powder flow in this experiment is mass flow. Mass flow which is also known as mass
transfer and bulk flow is the movement of material matter. Mass flow involves powder that discharged
freely when first in first out. Mass flow also reduces the extent to which some types of segregation
affect the powder. Although all of the material is moving, velocity profiles may still exist within the
hopper.
From this experiment, we can see that mass flow is influenced by both diameter of hopper
orifice and also the particle size (diameter of sand). From the result obtained, the sands of different
particle sizes flow through hopper with 16 mm orifice diameter with an average of 3.61 s, which is
relatively fast compared to hopper with orifice diameter 13 mm (4.79 s), 11 mm (6.44 s), 10 mm (9.41
s) and 8 mm (11.03 s). Sand flows through the hopper with the smallest hopper orifice in this
experiment (8 mm) with the highest average duration that is 11.03 s. This shows that hopper with
larger orifice gives a better particle flow, in this case, sand flow while hopper with small orifice causes
a slower flow. This can be explained as the larger the hopper orifice, the less the contact surface area
of the particle (sand) to the wall of hopper. This causes reduction in friction and therefore the particle
(sand) can move smoothly and faster.
Another factor affecting powder flow in this experiment is size of particle, in this case, diameter
of the sand. From the result obtained, sand of various diameters has a better flow than that of
diameters 355 m, 500 m and 850 m. This can be explained by strong cohesion between sand of
different sizes as the sand with smaller size filling up the spaces in between sand with larger size,
indicating larger contact surface area of and particle. This is followed by sand of diameter 850 m,
500 m and then 355m. This shows that the larger the particle size, the faster the particle flow. This
is due to larger particle has larger gravitational force which will pull down the particle faster towards
the ground.
There is some inconsistency of data obtained from the experiment where the duration of sand
flow fluctuated. This might be caused by external forces accidentally applied by person holding the
hopper, different shallow hopper angle and also hopper with different diameter. To overcome these
problems, a distort stand can be used instead of using bare hand to hold the hopper when sand flow
out from it. This can also ensure a constant height where the sand flows out of the hopper. Hoppers
with same shallow hopper angles and also diameter should be used although the orifice diameter is
difference. This can ensure more accurate results and prevent other factors affecting the experiment.
There are many other factors that will influence flow property of powder such as shaking, presence of
water and moisture, cohesion and adhesion force of particle, particle shape, particle density and
particle packing geometry.

Conclusion:
Powder flow depends on the orifice diameter of the hopper and also particles size of powder a.
Powder flow better and faster with larger hopper orifice diameter and larger particle size of powder
while powder flows slower with smaller hopper orifice diameter and smaller particle size.

Questions:
1. What are the factors that affect powder flow?
Factors that influence the flow property of powder including shaking, presence of water and moisture,
cohesion and adhesion force of particle, particle shape, particle density and particle packing
geometry.
2. Based on the experiment above, what is the size of powder and hopper give the best powder
flow?
Size of powder that gives the best powder flow is sand of various sizes. Hopper with orifice diameter
16 mm gives the best powder flow.
3. What are the methods that can be used to help the flow of certain powder?
Firstly, alteration of particle size and size distribution can be carried out by manipulating proportion of
coarser and finer particles for example granulation. Alteration of particle shape or texture also can be
carried out by making more spherical particles using spray drying. Surface forces also can be altered
by reducing electrostatic forces through earthing and also reducing moisture content. Flow activators
such as colloidal silicon dioxide and magnesium oxide help to reduce adhesion and cohesion thus
improve powder flow. Process condition also can be altered for example using vibration-assisted
hoppers and force feeders.

DISCUSSION
Angle of repose is one of the methods used to characterize the flow of a material. In this
experiment, angle of repose for different sizes of sand and with the presence of a glidant is
determined. The factors that affect the angle of repose are also studied.
From the result obtained, in the absence of glidant, the angle of repose decreases as the size of
particles increases. This is because smaller particles have dominant cohesive and adhesive forces as
compared to particle weight, whereas in bigger particles gravity plays a dominant role thus giving a
smaller angle of repose. Studies have shown that angle of repose is also gravity-dependant.
Cohesiveness of finer particles due to electrostatic forces causes difficulties in flowing thus forming a
steeper pile which shown by the 355 micron sand having the highest angle (36.3) compared to 500
and 850 micron sand. On the other hand we can see that mixture of various sizes of sand give a high
angle of repose also (39.2). When particles of different sizes and irregular shape is mixed together,
the mechanical interlocking of particles increases and thereby increase the rolling friction. As a result
a steeper pile with bigger angle of repose is formed. Generally, a value of <30 indicates excellent
flow whereas >56 indicates very poor flow. The intermediate scale indicates good ( between 31
35), fair ( between 3640), passable which may hang up ( between 4145), and poor which
must be agitated or vibrated ( between 4655). In this experiment, sand of 355 micron size have a
fair flow, 500 and 850 micron size have a good flow, and various sizes of sand have a fair flow.
When 3% concentration of magnesium stearate is added, the angle of repose increases.
Magnesium stearate is used as a glidant. It may also act as a lubricant in reducing friction. Glidant
functions in improving the flow of a material. From the result, 500,850 micron sand and various sizes
sand have a passable which may hang up flow. On the other hand, 335 micron sand have a poor
flow. The addition of a glidant should decreases the angle of repose and enhances the flow of the
materials. But however the addition of 3% magnesium stearate in this experiment produces a product
of viceversa. This is because the rate of flow is improved by the addition of magnesium stearate up to
a limiting concentration of glidant. Above a certain concentration (in this case 3%), the glidant will in
fact function to inhibit flowability. Thus, a glidant will only work at a certain range of concentrations.
From the result of other groups, it is shown that addition of magnesium stearate is only effective at
concentration of 0.5% and 1% where the angle of repose decreasing with the presence of a glidant.
This proved it function in improving the flow of the material.
For a better result, it is adviced to use a protractor instead of ruler as it reduces parallax error
and it measures an accurate angle. The glidant and the sand should be mixed until an even
distribution of mixture is obtained. This is to ensure that the glidant function effectively. Besides, the
lifting velocity of the cylinder should just be moderate to avoid distraction to the material flow. For a
clean and tidy working environment, a paper should be placed before starting the experiment so that
the sand did not cluttered elsewhere. Experimenter must also wear goggle, mask and lab coat all the
time to protect the eyes and nose from coming in contact with the sand.

CONCLUSION
From the experiment, the angle of repose for different materials is measured to describe the flow of
each material. Smaller angle indicates a good flow property compared to bigger angle. Several factors
that influence the angle of repose is also determined which are the particle size, particle shape,
cohesiveness and the method by which the angle is measured. Smaller particles have a bigger angle
of repose due to the cohesiveness. This cohesivity causes a poor flow. Mixture of particles with
various sizes also gives a bigger angle of repose owing to the friction. Besides the angle of repose is
also gravity-dependant. The flow of the materials is improved with the addition of a glidant at low
concentration. The glidant only work at a certain range of concentration.

REFERENCES
1.
Liu, Zhichao (2011) Measuring The Angle Of Repose Of Granular Systems Using Hollow
Cylinders ; http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/6401/
2.
Rakhi B. Shah, Mobin A. Tawakkul, Mansoor A. Khan (2008 February 15) Comparative
Evaluation of Flow for Pharmaceutical Powders and Granules ;
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2976911/
3.
T. M. JONES (1969) The effect of glidant addition on the flowability of bulk particulate solids ;
http://journal.scconline.org/pdf/cc1970/cc021n07/p00483-p00500.pdf
4.
Aug 05, 2011 Angle of Repose ; http://www.slideshare.net/visualbeeNetwork/angle-of-repose