Bulk materials: Properties and handling Part 1

Depending on the handling situation, bulk materials behave in a manner that is intermediate to those of liquids and solids. This results from the interaction of numerous influencing factors, which vary in constitution and importance. No comprehensive principles for the calculation of this interaction are available. However, an assessment of the expected behaviour of the bulk material in different process stages and units is already needed at an early stage in the plant designing work. Part 1 of this article introduces appropriate methods of bulk material assessment and classification.