ASTM D6941-03
(Practice)Standard Practice for Measuring Fluidization Segregation Tendencies of Powders
Standard Practice for Measuring Fluidization Segregation Tendencies of Powders
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers an apparatus and procedure for simulating the segregation tendencies of powders by means of the fluidization mechanism.
1.2 Powders must be capable of being fluidized in order to be tested by this practice.
1.3 Temperature- and humidity-sensitive powders may need to be tested at different temperatures and moisture contents, as would happen in an industrial environment. Further, the gas supply (type, temperature, and humidity) should also match the industrial conditions.
1.4 This standard is not applicable to all bulk solids and segregation mechanisms: while fluidization is a common segregation mechanism experienced by many fine powders, other segregation mechanisms not evaluated by this standard might induce segregation in practice.
1.5 The extent to which segregation will occur in an industrial situation is not only a function of the powder and its tendency to segregate, but also the handling equipment (for example, bin design), process (for example, transfer rates), and environment.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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Designation: D 6941 – 03
Standard Practice for
Measuring Fluidization Segregation Tendencies of Powders
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 6941; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3.1.2 fluidization segregation, n—a mechanism that causes
vertical segregation, that is, horizontal layering of fine and
1.1 This practice covers an apparatus and procedure for
coarse particles, as resulting from fluidization of the bulk solid.
simulating the segregation tendencies of powders by means of
3.1.3 segregation, n—a process through which blended or
the fluidization mechanism.
uniform powders or bulk solids become non-uniform, with
1.2 Powders must be capable of being fluidized in order to
regions of varying composition, for example, particle size.
be tested by this practice.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.3 Temperature- and humidity-sensitive powders may need
3.2.1 high flow-rate, n—the first stage flow-rate used to
to be tested at different temperatures and moisture contents, as
initiate fluidization.
would happen in an industrial environment. Further, the gas
3.2.2 hold time, n—the time for which the Low Flow-rate is
supply (type, temperature, and humidity) should also match the
held.
industrial conditions.
3.2.3 low flow-rate, n—the second stage flow-rate used to
1.4 This standard is not applicable to all bulk solids and
maintain fluidization.
segregation mechanisms: while fluidization is a common
3.2.4 ramp time, n—the time during which the airflow is
segregation mechanism experienced by many fine powders,
reduced from the Low Flow-rate to zero.
other segregation mechanisms not evaluated by this standard
3.2.5 representative sample, n—a quantity of the bulk solid
might induce segregation in practice.
to be tested that is representative of that solid in an industrial
1.5 The extent to which segregation will occur in an
application being studied. Parameters of interest that may
industrial situation is not only a function of the powder and its
affect whether or not a sample is representative include:
tendency to segregate, but also the handling equipment (for
moisture, particle size distribution, raw material variation,
example, bin design), process (for example, transfer rates), and
method of production, aging, chemical composition.
environment.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4. Summary of Practice
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4.1 A representative sample of a powder is placed in the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
apparatus.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
4.2 Pressurized gas (usually air) is blown from the bottom at
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
a series of flow-rates for specified times, creating a state of
2. Referenced Documents fluidization of the powder.
4.3 Once the airflow is stopped, the powder in the test
2.1 ASTM Standards:
chamber is divided into three samples from the bottom, center,
D 653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
and top of the column.
Fluids
4.4 The samples are then available to be tested for differ-
3. Terminology
ences relevant to the application, for example, particle size or
chemical assay.
3.1 Definitions—Definitions of terms used in this test
method shall be in accordance with Terminology D 653.
5. Significance and Use
3.1.1 fluidization, n—the state in which a powder exhibits
5.1 Fluidization segregation can cause vertical segregation
fluid-like properties.
within bins used to hold and transport powders. This can affect
final product quality in industrial applications.
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and
5.2 By measuring a powder’s segregation tendency, one can
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.24 on Characterization
compare results to other powders with known history, or
and Handling of Powders and Bulk Solids.
determine if the given powder may have a tendency to
Current edition approved July 10, 2003. Published August 2003.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.08. segregate in a given process.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D6941–03
5.3 Fine powders generally have a lower permeability than cylinders. The bottom cylinder sits against the diffuser in the
coarse bulk solids and therefore tend to retain air longer. Thus, air supply plenum. The top cylinder mates to the expansion
when a bin is being filled with a fluidizable powder, the coarser chamber. When the cylinders are stacked together, they make
particles settle or are driven into the bed while the finer up the test chamber, where the powder is placed. The as-
particles remain fluidized near the surface. sembled test chamber dimensions are 24 mm I.D. by at least
5.4 Fluidization, which serves as a driving force for this 185 mm tall. The test chamber should have at least 25 mm
mechanism of segregation, is likely to occur when fine pow- additional height to allow expansion of the powder bed. The
ders are pneumatically conveyed into a bin, the bin is filled or cylinders must be held together so they do not separate during
discharged at high rates, or if sufficient air flow counter to the the tests and so leakage does not occur, while still able to be
flow of powder is present within the bin. separated at the end of the test in a way to allow for sample
recovery. This can be done a number of ways, including taping
6. Apparatus
the sections together.
6.1 The apparatus including critical dimensions is shown in
6.4 Expansion Chamber—The expansion chamber allows
Fig. 1. It consists of the following:
the powder to disengage from the air stream.
6.2 Gas Supply with Flow Meter—A gas supply capable of
6.5 Filter—The filter prevents powder from being blown
fluidizing the powder is required (15 to 30 psig [100 to 200
out of the apparatus. The filter material should be appropriate
kPa] range, 25 psig [170 kPa] recommended, maximum flow
for the application and should not contaminate the powder
rate 10 000 cm /min). The gas flow rate must be adjustable
(which may affect the analysis of the samples), and should
during the test-an automated controller may be used for this
provide sufficient containment of the powder (from both a
purpose.
safety perspective and a loss of powder perspective).
6.6 Diffuser—The diffuser distributes the air uniformly into
NOTE 1—Generally, clean, dry air is used. If air is not suitable (that is,
the test chamber; therefore, a sufficient pressure drop across the
it reacts with or adversely affects the powder being tested) another gas,
such as nitrogen, may be used. diffuser is required.
6.3 Cylinders—Three transparent cylinders are stacked,
NOTE 2—A sintered metal disk, such as 5 μm filtration grade porous
stainless steel sheet available from Mott Industrial, Farmington CT, may
identified (from the bottom) as the bottom, center, and top
FIG. 1 Apparatus
D6941–03
FIG. 2 Timing Profile
be an appropriate material for the diffuser. Some cohesive powders do not
7.13 Allow additional time after stopping the airflow for the
fluidize well, and simply form an air channel through the test bed,
powder to settle completely.
allowing the air to flow past stationary powder. In this case additional
NOTE 5—Settlement is considered complete when the top powder
airflow will not serve to fluidize the powder. If this occurs, this test is not
surface no longer appears to move (typically several minutes for fine
valid. However, a diffuser with a lower pe
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