Improvements in Silo Design for Moist and Cohesive Bulk Solids by Using a Silo Centrifuge

The Jenike‐method is state of the art in silo design for trouble‐free flow, even for cohesive bulk solids. However, for some bulk solids, especially very cohesive and moist bulk solids, even the correct application of the Jenike‐method can lead to an over‐design of the silo outlet. If a reliable estimation of the critical outlet dimension is possible the dimension as well as the machinery costs can be reduced. Model testing can help to reduce the over‐design but reasonable test equipment and flexibility are only possible with silo centrifuge testing. Results, regarding the state of stress and the critical outlet dimensions, from experiments using a silo centrifuge with cohesive and moist bulk solids are presented. The influence of creeping effects on silo design is investigated using the silo centrifuge with moist gypsum.