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Jul 18, 2023

Automated measurement of powder flow rate through aperture

Need more information? Let us help you with your inquiries, brochures and pricing requirements The GranuFlow is an enhanced version of laboratory silo when compared to the “Flow-Through An Orifice”

Need more information?

Let us help you with your inquiries, brochures and pricing requirements

The GranuFlow is an enhanced version of laboratory silo when compared to the “Flow-Through An Orifice” technique explained in the Pharmacopeia (USP1174) and the traditional Hall Flow Meter (ASTM B213, ISO4490).

GranuFlow features a rotating plate with seven different holes ranging from 1 to 38 mm in diameter and also a 500 mL-capacity stainless-steel cell. As the measurement takes place, the diameters of holes are manually increased. The mass flow rate of powders is automatically measured by a dedicated electronic balance without user interference.

The mass flow rate is calculated automatically from the slope of the mass temporal evolution quantified with the balance. Using an original rotating system, the aperture size is altered easily and rapidly. Both measurement and result analysis are aided by software. The flow rate is measured for different sizes of the aperture to obtain a flow curve. The entire flow curve is finally fitted with the popular Beverloo theoretical model to achieve a flowability index (Cb, related to the powder flowability) and the minimum aperture size to achieve a flow (Dmin). The entire measurement is carried out in a simple, accurate, and rapid manner.

[1] So-called cup tests take approximately 30 minutes, and it is not possible to obtain the Beverloo Law with the Hall flowmeter.

Video Credit: Granutools