ABSTRACT
In terms of particle processing and product handling, the well-known flow prob lems of cohesive powders in storage and transportation containers, conveyors or process apparatuses include bridging, channeling and oscillating mass flow rates. In addition, flow problems are related to particle characteristics associated with
feeding and dosing, as well as undesired effects such as widely spread residence time distribution, time consolidation or caking, chemical conversions and deterio ration of bioparticles. Finally, insufficient apparatus and system reliability of powder processing plants are also related to these flow problems. The rapid in creasing production of cohesive to very cohesive nanopowders, e.g., very adher ing pigment particles, micro-carriers in biotechnology or medicine, auxiliary ma terials in catalysis, chromatography or silicon wafer polishing, make these problems much serious. Taking into account this list of technical problems and hazards, it is essential to deal with the fundamentals of particle adhesion, powder consolidation and flow, i.e. to develop a reasonable combination of particle and continuum mechanics.
