Zusammenfassung
`The present research addresses the slow (quasi-static) and the
`intermediate` powder flow regime that spans the region between the
quasi-static and the rapid flow regimes. Flows in a 2D converging
channel and in the geometry of the Couette device are studied both
theoretically and experimentally. A new theoretical approach, by
introducing stress and shear-rate fluctuations into the equations of
motion proposed earlier by D. Schaeffer, is developed and an analytical
solution is presen ted [Tardos et al., (2003)]. It was found that the
`intermediate` regime of powder flow is quite wide and ranges over at
least one order of magnitude in shear rates. We also found that in this
regime the dependence of the shear forces on shearing rates is to a
power less then unity, much like in a shear-thinning power-law-fluid.
We found furthermore that the velocity of the powder in the vicinity of
a rough, moving boundary, decays exponentially so that the flow is
restricted to a small area adjacent to the wall. To assure constant
shearing of the bulk, the powder has to be mobilized, `fluffed-up` or
fluidized (not necessarily with air).
[Tardos G.I., S. McNamara and I. Talu, Slow and intermediate flow of
a frictional bulk powder in the Couette geometry, Powder Technology,
Vol. 131, pp. 23-39, March, (2003)]
[Abstract]