Granular flow in a solar hexagonal silo

Granular flow in a new type of silo with hexagonal geometry is studied in detail both experimentally and numerically. Experimental data are shown for a variety of grains(corn,millet,sesame,limed-leaved sage) in experimental models of 50kg.,3.5 ton., and in a full size prototype silo of 150 ton, capacity. Stress distribution, velocity profiles and mass discharges were measured using flow visualization and other conventional experimental techniques. Results compare favourably with numerical simulations based on molecular dynamics. Several models, ranging from a single sphere to clusters of two and more spheres were used to simulate the geometrical characteristics of the grains. The effect of boundaries upon the flow was approximated in the hexagonal geometry as converging channel flow in two and three dimensions. In addition, a new system using solar energy is described for the drying and humidity control of the grain inside the silo. Both the experimental as well as the numerical results show beyond question, the advantages of the new type of geometry for grain storage and handling.