Article: Can You Measure Powder Flowability?

The classic problem is their failure to discharge reli­ably from bins, hoppers, feeders, etc. This causes unwanted interruptions in the production process, leading at times to complete plant shutdown in order to correct the flow restrictions and stoppages.

Quality Control Departments are constantly deal­ ing with raw materials in powder form, which come from multiple suppliers. The variability in particle size, moisture content, and basic ingredient make-up requires a battery of incoming inspection tests, none of which assure that proper flow will take place when loaded into the plant equipment.