Quantitative bin flow analysis of particle discharge using X-ray radiography

• Published in: Powder technology 2019-02, Vol.344, p.693-705
• Main Authors: Bacchuwar, Sanket, Vidyapati, Vidya, Quan, Ke-ming, Lin, Chen-Luh, Miller, Jan D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bins; Discharge; Flow pattern; Funnel-flow bin; Image processing; Mass-flow bin; Particle flow pattern; Particle tracking; Particle trajectories; Particle trajectory; Radiographs; Radiography; Tracking; Velocity profile; X-ray radiography
• ISSN: 0032-5910; 1873-328X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.powtec.2018.12.028

Many industrial processes use bins for storage of granular particles. However, the discharge of granular particles through bins is not well described quantitatively. Monitoring and analysis of the flow of particles inside bins is a challenge faced in many industrial operations. Understanding particle flow during discharge can lead to significant improvements in the design and construction of bins. The paper presents a technique to detect the particle flow pattern inside a silo using X-ray radiography. The particle flow patterns for a mass-flow bin and a funnel-flow bin were detected by the in-situ tracking of tagged granular particles during discharge. X-ray radiographs of the silo were obtained at different times of discharge, which were then analyzed using image processing techniques, and the tagged particles in the silo were tracked. The individual particle trajectories obtained explain the particle flow pattern in the silo. Radiographic tracking of tagged particles inside the silo identifies the actual path of individual particles. By combining all the individual particle trajectories, the particle flow pattern is established. [Display omitted] •Particle flow patterns for mass-flow and funnel-flow bins were detected.•In-situ tracking of tagged granular particles during discharge was obtained.•Individual particle trajectories explained the particle flow pattern in the bin.