Spouting of fine powder from vertically vibrated bed

Experimental and numerical studies of spouting of powder from vertically vibrated bed are performed. The powder flows out vigorously through a side orifice of the vertically vibrated vessel in which the powder is contained, provided that the vibration acceleration is greater than the gravitational one. The mechanism of the efflux and the relationship between the efflux rate and the vibration condition are examined. The interstitial air pressure in the bed is measured and is compared to the numerical analysis considering the relative motion of the powder bed to the vibrated vessel and percolation air flow. The outflow behavior of powder is observed by using a high-speed video camera. The experimental and the numerical results show that the powder spouts out intermittently with periodic air outflow, which is generated in response to the change of the gap between the bed and the vessel base. Furthermore, it is found that the efflux rate of powder is in proportion to the generated air pressure and in inverse proportion to the vibration frequency. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.