3 ms·

Looks like they've got some bad Funnel Flow in the hopper. Mass flow is probably the desired flow regime. Using a non-conical hopper is probably a better idea a

Looks like they've got some bad Funnel Flow in the hopper. Mass flow is probably the desired flow regime. Using a non-conical hopper is probably a better idea and would negate the vibration, which can fail. Typically only change the shape of the hopper in one direction at at time as you move down. This often leads to hoppers with an exit that is a slot and not round. We've used these powder consultants before and I took a week long course on hopper design: http://powdernotes.com http://powdernotes.com Edit - another method we use to create empty-able hoppers: fluidization. Not sure if this fits with your processing strategy but it also mixes the powder somewhat which prevents size segregation of the particles. And this video is pretty cool: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=My4RA5I0FKs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=My4RA5I0FKs

utexaspunk 8y ago
Could the grass be blown in? Leaf blowers move grass pretty easily...
- whatshisface 8y ago
  I would imagine that leaf blowers operate at a much lower density of grass, in an open area where there's nothing for a grass blade to stick on.
- MisterTea 8y ago
  First thing I thought about was fluidizing the grass via forced air. Plenty of bulky stuff is handled fluidized. One good example is the hydraulic french fry maker where potatoes are fluidized using water and pushed through a slicing grate using the pressure and velocity of the flow. The water carries the french fries out of the other side just as easily.
- torpfactory 8y ago
  You can probably blow it in just fine. The problem is really getting bulk materials out of hoppers. A whole world of research and engineering unto itself. Start with a simple question like: what kind of model do you use with bulk materials. Obviously it's not a liquid, but as a solid it has tons of weird properties- No tensile strength at all. Strength depends on history of compaction. The list goes on...

utexaspunk 8y ago

Could the grass be blown in? Leaf blowers move grass pretty easily...

whatshisface 8y ago
I would imagine that leaf blowers operate at a much lower density of grass, in an open area where there's nothing for a grass blade to stick on.
MisterTea 8y ago
First thing I thought about was fluidizing the grass via forced air. Plenty of bulky stuff is handled fluidized. One good example is the hydraulic french fry maker where potatoes are fluidized using water and pushed through a slicing grate using the pressure and velocity of the flow. The water carries the french fries out of the other side just as easily.
torpfactory 8y ago
You can probably blow it in just fine. The problem is really getting bulk materials out of hoppers. A whole world of research and engineering unto itself. Start with a simple question like: what kind of model do you use with bulk materials. Obviously it's not a liquid, but as a solid it has tons of weird properties- No tensile strength at all. Strength depends on history of compaction. The list goes on...