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Influence of particle size distribution on bulk density and flowability of

vending powders

Conference Paper · January 1997

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50 100 150 200
MW (1cD)
Figure 2 Effect of MW on the consistency coefficient (K) of microbial (0) and high-M
(B) and high-G (*) algal alginates in aqueous dispersions at y=-1% and 298.16 K.
5. ACKNOVVLEDGEMENTS
The authors would like to thanIc Prof. P. Ceecherelli (University of Perugia, Italy) for H-NMR
analyses. This research work was supported by a grant from the Italian Ministry of University
and Scientific and Technological Research:)Special grant MURST 40%.
6. REFERENCES
1. Clementi, F.; Fantozzi, P.; Mancini, F.; Moresi, M. Optimal conditions for alginate
production by Azotobacter vinelandii. Enzyme Microb. TechnoL 1995, 17, 983-8.
2. Mancini, M.; Moresi, M.; Sappino, F. Rheological behaviour of aqueous dispersions of
algal soclium alginates. J. Food Eng. 1996, 28, 283-95.
3. McComb, E.A.; McReady, R.M. Determination of acetyl in pectin and in acetylated
carbohydrate polymers. Anal. Chem., 1957, 29, 819-21.
4. Dubois, M.; Gilles, K.A.; Hamilton, J.K.; Rebers, P.A.; Smith, F. Colorimetric method for
determination of sugars and related substances. Anal. Chem., 1956, 28, 350-6.
5. Haug, A.; Larsen, B. Quantitative determination of the uronic acid composition of
alginates. Acta Chem. Scand. 1962, 16, 1908-18.
6. Conti, E.; Flaibani, A.; O'Regan, M.; Sutherland, I.W. Alginate from Pseudomonas
fluorescens and P. putida: production and properties. Microbiol., 1994, 140, 1125-32.
7. Grasdalen, H.; Larsen, B.; Smidsred, 0. A N.M.R. study of the composition and sequence
of uronate residues in alginates. Carbohydr. Res., 1979, 68, 23-31.
8. Crescenzi, V. Microbial polysaccharides of applied interest: ongoing research activities in
Europe. BiotechnoL Progress, 1995, 11 (3), 251-9.
9. Amici, D.; Clementi, F.; Fanto77i P.; Mancini, M.; Moresi, M.; Mancini, F. Alginato da
Azotobacter vinelandii: comportamento reologico in sospensioni acquose. In: Proc.s 3rd
Conv. Naz. Reologia Applicata. S. Donato Milanese (Italy), 12-15 Sept., 1995, 126-130.
Influence of particle size distribution on bulk density
and flowability of vending powders
H. SCHUCHMANN
Nestle R&D Center Ludwigsburg Lebensmittelforschung GmbH., 71636 Ludwigsburg, FranckstraBe 8,
German);
CH: GERHARDS
Inst. fur Lebensmittelverfahrenstechnik, Universitat Karlsruhe, 76128 Karlsruhe, Germany.
1. SYNOPSIS
Smaller powder canisters for vending machines require powder of greater bulk density. An
investigation was therefore performed with the aim to increase the bulk density of a
comrnercially available product by sieving off fractions. These fractions were combined thus
creating bi-modal particle size distributions. The theoretical litnits for these mixes were
calculated and compared with experimental results. Than the flowability of these mixes were
compared with the requirements for vending machines. The maximum increase for a mix was
60 g/1 for a powder that can be used in a vending machine.
2. INTRODUCTION
Suppliers of vending machines increasingly offer smaller systems (down to 3 kg of powder)
due to a demand for wider distribution in surroundings with limited space. Nevertheless for
economic reasons these machines should be operated at the same filling intervals. The only
way to fulfil this demand is to increase the bulk density of the vending powder thus decreasing
the volume of powder per serving (usually up to 20 g). The density of single agglomerates and
particles is pre-defined by the recipe and the process, so the bulk density can be changed only
by reducing the inter-particle space. The total volume of voids is a function of the particle
geometry as well as of particle size and size distribution.
3. MODELLING THE HULK DENSITY AND EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATIONS
From the literature it is known, that a change in bulk density is possible by mixing particles of
different sizes. For mixes of spherical and non-spherical particles, theories do exist, which
relate properties such as particle size, particle size distribution with the resulting density of the
bulk material. For the experimental investigation the tapped density was chosen as a
characteristic value because it is closer to the ideal random pacicing of particles, which was
used in the simulation. Of course this may introduce some segregation which affects the local
density (Fiske et al, 1994). A commercially available instrument with a 250 ml beaker, 35 mm
in diameter, was set to apply 30 taps of 3 mm height at a frequency of 4 Hz.
In order to check whether a significant increase in tapped bulk densities (above 800 g/l) can be
achieved, a commercially available product (Nesquik lacte) was examined with particles of up
to 450 ,um diameter, the bulk density increases to about 710 g/1 with increasing mean
diameter. From there on the bulk density decreases slowly down to about 680 g/I.
 5,0 e Nesquik 60% f, >630 um
A model from the literature (Ouchiyama and Tan.aka, 1980 - 1986) which prediets bulk
4,5 X Nesquik 30% f, >400 um
density from bi-modal particle size distributions was used for simulation and compared with
V • Nesquik, no treatment
experimental results for a common vending powder of neasly spherical shape. Bi-modai 4,0
particle size distributions were created by fractionating and recombining the fractions to Nesquilc 40% f, >710 um
produce different ratios of the modal values and different mass fractions of fines. The results 3,5
.,/
show that for spherical particles and a fine/coarse ratio (mean values of the fines fraction 10 '
3,0 ve
divided by the coarse fraction) close to unity the influence of the amount of fines on tapped
density is negfigible as long as the fines are below 50 % of the total mass. With increasing 2,5 , •
fine/coarse ratio the gradient of tapped density as a function of fines becomes steeper around
2,0 ..
the maximum values and these maximum values approach 950 g/I from a initial 720 g/1. Based
on measured values for single agglomerates the tapped densities of the mixture were 1,5
calculated as a function of fines content. This was done from both directions, respectively fines
being added to the coarse fraction and vice versa. For the representation the intersection of 1,0
both curves was taken as the poirrt at which to switch from one simulation to the other. The 0,5
bulk density for 100 % coarse particles is less than the 100 % fines because of the limited
diameter of the tapping device beaker. 0,0 w ...-
4 8 12 16
0
The experimental values are clearly less than the calculated ones and they are shifled towards a1 [kPa]
greater fines content. With increasing fine/coarse ratio the maximum values for tapped density
as a function of fines content are higher and approach 840 g/1 from an initial 720 g/l. Measured
Fig. 1 Shear stress as a function of normal stress for different mixes. Curves are identified by
bulk densities for 100 % fines differ significantly from those calculated because of the
the percentage of fines fand the minimum particle diameter of the coarse fraction.
increased influence of van-derWaals forces. For one fraction (particle diameter < 125 mm) the
value is reduced to 620 g/1. A second mechanism which was not investigated is the segregation
of powder during the tapping process. A segregation of fines could lead to a decrease in 5 CONCLUSIONS
tapped density because in the upper parts of the bulk the void are filled sub r maximal. In
For the product investigated, the Limit to increase the bulk density by mixing powders of
lower regions a high fines content wöuld exceed the voids being available and therefore
increase the distance between coarse particles. different mean particle size is below 60 g/I. The aim of a tapped bulk density above 800 g/1
was therefore not achieved. Mixes of greater bulk density possessed an unacceptable
4. FLOWABILITY OF BI-MODAL POWDER flowability, which would mean large variations in dispensed weight. Non-ideal spherical
geometry as well as a rough surface structure and the presence of van-der-Waals forces lead
The flowability of the mixes (Fig. 1) was measured in a ring shear cell using normal stresses to smaller increases in bulk density than expected from models in the literature.
between 2 and 14 kPa. Air conditions were set to 50 % ref humidity and a temperature of 25
-C. lt was found, that the flowability is reduced with fine-to-coarse ratios. Above a ratio of 6. REFERENCES
five, the flowability is too low for vending machines. With different particle sizes and ratios, Fiske, T. J.; Railkar, S. B.; Kalyon, D. M.: Effects of segregation on the packing of spherical and nonspherical
ffc values (ffc= al/fc) of 2.5 (40 % fines, fines 125 - 315 ,um, coarse particles > 710 —m) to particles. Powder Technology 81 (1994), no. 1, pp. 57-64.
15 (30 % fines, fines 200-400 ,um, coarse particle 400 - 710 —um) were achieved. According
of Utah, Engineering Experiment Station Bulletin,
to Jenicke (1964) powders with ffc values above 4 are considered to be easily flowing. Trials Jenicke, A. W.: Storage and flow of solids. University
with a Wittembourg vending machine showed variations above 5% in dispensed weight for ffc Ne. 123 ( 1964).
values of less than 5.
Ouchiyama, N.; Tanaka, T.: Estimation of the average number of contacts between randomly mixed solid
particles. IncL Eng. Chem. Fundam. 19 (1980), no. 4, pp. 338340.

Ouchiy-ama, N.; Tanaka, T.: Porosity of a mass of solid particles having a range of sizes. Ind. Eng. Chem.
Fundam.20 (1981), no. 1, pp. 66-71.
Ouchiyama, N.; Tanaka, T.: Porosity estimation for random pacicings of spherical particles. Ind. Eng. Chem.
Fundam.23 (1984), no. 4, pp. 490493.

Ouchiyama, N.; Tanaka, T.: Porosity estimation from particle size distribution. Ind. Eng. Chem. Fundam.25
(1986), no.1, pp. 125-129.

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