Aerated flow of fine cohesive powders in a Peschl shear cell

In the industrial practice aeration is commonly used to improve the quality of powder discharge from silos. However, the mutual interaction between shearing and aeration is not fully understood especially in the case of fine and cohesive powders. If fluidized these powders show particle aggregation, cracks and channels. Experimental results obtained with an aerated shear cell technique are presented. These results are discussed and suggest that the powder shear in forms of aggregate which affect powder permeability and, therefore the effects of powder aeration. © 2005 Taylor & Francis Group.