FURI | Spring 2019

Evaluation of Hopper Discharge Rates of Glass Spheres

The goal of this project is to understand the effect that particle properties, such as size and surface roughness, have on their flow rate through hoppers. Prediction of the flow rate through hoppers is of great importance due to their use in many industrially relevant processes. The surface of the particles will be characterized by AFM and flow rate tests, using glass beads of sizes 0.6mm – 4mm will be performed using small scale glass and 3D printed hoppers. Future avenues of research include varying the particles and hoppers surface roughness and performing flow test with multiple sizes of particles.