Bulk material properties

Image: a) poor flow, b) good flow. Bulk material properties are material- and state-dependent parameters that describe the behaviour of powders, granulates and other bulk materials during storage, conveying, dosing and mixing. They determine, for example, how a bulk material flows, how strongly it compacts, how well it segregates or how strongly it adheres to surfaces.

The most important bulk material properties include bulk density, particle density, particle size distribution, particle shape, flowability, cohesion, angle of internal friction, compressibility, porosity and moisture content.

These properties have a significant influence on silo design, discharge systems, pneumatic conveying, dosing technology and mixing processes.

In process engineering, knowledge of bulk material properties is a key basis for the design of equipment and processes. It is crucial for process stability, product quality, economic efficiency and operational safety in bulk material processes.