Chute profile for maximum exit velocity in gravity flow of granular material

Chute profile for maximum exit velocity in gravity flow of granular material

J. agric. Engng Rex (1970) 15 (3) 292-294 Chute Profile for Maximum Exit of Granular Velocity in Gravity Flow Material W. H. CHARLTON*; A. W...

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J. agric. Engng Rex (1970) 15 (3) 292-294

Chute

Profile

for Maximum

Exit

of Granular

Velocity

in Gravity

Flow

Material

W. H. CHARLTON*; A. W. ROBERTS* An analysis of the required profile shape of gravity mum exit velocity is presented. The dynamic equations are developed and utilizing energy considerations, an Maximizing exit velocity involves minimizing losses; required chute curvature are drawn. 1.

flow discharge chutes to achieve maxifor a grain element in the flowing stream expression for exit velocity is obtained. on this basis conclusions concerning

Introduction

It sometimes may occur, when granular materials flow in chutes under gravity, that a maximum possible exit velocity is desired. This case has been known to arise in connection with the loading of rail cars with wheat. A rigorous analysis is a complex problem but Roberts ‘3 2 has shown that under fast flow conditions, with grain contact on the chute bottom and side walls, the average particle behaves approximately as though it moves subject to a constant Coulomb frictional force. Using such a model, the conditions for maximum exit velocity can be examined. 2.

Dynamic analysis

Fig. 1 shows the co-ordinates with respect to which the particle gravitational force acts in the direction of the positive y axis.

dynamics

are formulated.

The

Fig. I

Assuming

the coefficient

of friction,

p, is constant,

mj; +N(cos mi+N(p where N is the normal

8+p

the equations

of motion

sin 0)=mg

cos O-sin

O)=O

force and d2y i;S-@

Using the abbreviation

*Division

of Engineering.

Wollongong

University

College, Wollongong,

292

New South Wales, 2500 Australia

are: . . (1) . . . (2)

W.

14. CHARLTON;

A.

W.

293

ROBERTS

1 cos e=t/

[l +(y’)“]

?’ sin (3= &Y’)2] and hence

-t(Y’)“l P-Y’ .

-me41

N=

Substituting

(3) into Eqn (1) . . . (4)

With respect to the describing Then,

co-ordinates,

the chute profile can be written

4v ’ ;iT”

as Y-f(x).

z-_$.t

and d2y --#=Y where

Substituting

=Y’~+sy”~2

(5)

d2.r Y”Zdxz. Eqn (5) into Eqn (4) and re-arranging ~=

-(P-Y’) h-Y”X2) .

. ..

1MY')" When Eqn (6) is substituted

(6)

into Eqn (3) N_m(g-Y”i2) [l +(Y’)“l*

. . (7)

A convenient method of establishing a constraint equation for the motion of the particle is to write an energy balance equation. Hence, assuming the particle starts from the co-ordinate system origin with initial velocity I’,,, +m(v2--r,2)=mgY-frictional The frictional

losses.

loss in going from the origin to a general Loss =

x, Y uNds s o, o

..I (8)

point (x, y) is

where ds is an increment

--s

of arc length

X

PNv’P+W21dx.

. ..

0

Substituting

(9)

Eqn (7) into Eqn (9). X

Loss =

s

dx

pm(g--y”22)

,

0

i.e.

X

Loss =pmgx-pm

y”i”

I

0

dx

.

(10)

294

PROFILE

The constraint

SHAPt.

OF

GRAIN

(‘HUTI’?

Eqn (8) can now be written

3. Comments on chute curvature Examination of Eqn (11) permits certain deductions to be made concerning the required chute profile to achieve maximum exit velocity. For the discussion to be meaningful it is necessary to consider the possible chute profiles which will permit discharge of the material at a given point located by the co-ordinates x and y as shown in Fig. 2. The initial velocity 13,and friction coefficient u are considered the same for the various chute profiles examined.

:F;

;KX

(0)

lb)

Fig. 2

The term within the square brackets and depends only on the terminal point entirely on chute curvature and it is this of the integral term is dependent on y”; y” is zero. These considerations lead to

of Eqn (11) is independent of of the chute. The integral term term, therefore, which requires the term is zero in the case of the first deduction.

chute shape or curvature in Eqn (11) is dependent consideration. The sign a straight chute in which

(1) A continuously ‘concave’ chute [Fig. 2(a)] will yield an exit velocity lower than the corresponding straight chute between the same end points. For exit velocities higher than that obtained with a straight chute, the integral term of Eqn (11) must be positive. Thus for practical chute profiles, a second deduction can be stated. (2) For maximum exit velocity, a practical chute starting with a straight or ‘concave ’ section must be followed by a ‘convex ’ section [Fig. 2(b)]. Thus (2) asserts that a straight chute section, followed by a ‘convex ’ section will give a higher exit velocity than a continuous straight chute through the same end points. The above pass through greater than to achieve a

deductions are subject to a proviso that the normal force on the particle does not zero. Further, for a straight chute, and as can readily be shown, the slope must be u, i.e. Fig. 1, tan 8 must be greater than u. This latter requirement is necessary stable fast flow condition without the danger of flow stoppages. REFERENCES

Roberts, A. W. The dynamics ojgranular material jfow through curved chutes. Mech. and Chem. Eng. Trans. Instn of Engrs, Auk, Vol. MC3, No. 2, Nov. 1967 2 Roberts, A. W. An investigation of the gravity flow of non-cohesive granular materials through discharge chutes. Trans. A.S.M.E., J. Engng Jnd. Vol. 91, Series B, No. 2, May 1969