For design involving storage of bulk solids to be safe and reliable, it is important to know a large number of variables such as flow properties, geometry of silos and flow pattern. With the objective to validate prediction using flow theories and silo design procedures, the flow properties of three bulk solids were determined and Jenike's flow theory and Enstad's hopper design equations were applied and compared with those obtained experimentally in a reduced model of silo of semicircular section. The experimental results confirm the method of Jenike and Enstad for flow pattern and hopper design, respectively. The values of discharge orifice obtained by Jenike's equation are demonstrated to be oversized, being 45% higher than needed to provide flow.
theories; design; outlet; discharge
