Segregation quantification of two-component particulate mixtures: Effect of particle size, density, shape, and surface texture

Segregation, which occurs during handling, processing, and storage of particulate material, is highly dependent on properties such as particle size, size distribution (for continuous mixtures) or size ratio (for binary mixtures), particle density, shape, and surface texture. Quantification of the relationship of material properties to segregation becomes an important link in understanding and controlling segregation. Due to lack of well-developed equipment in the market, quantification of segregation of multicomponent particulate mixtures is currently a challenge. In this study, the effects of particle size, density, shape, and surface texture of two-component particulate mixtures (glass beads and mash poultry feed) on segregation were quantified with the use of the second generation of primary segregation shear cell (PSSC-II) developed at Penn State. It was concluded that (1) irregularly shaped (nonspherical) coarse particles or higher porosity of coarse component of a binary mixture lead to higher segregation potential; (2) the higher the density and smoother the surface of the fine component of a binary mixture, the higher the segregation potential; and (3) the fine particle properties, to a certain extent, determine the particle size-related effects such as absolute size and size ratios, i.e., if fine particle properties of a binary mixture change, the size-related effect on segregation potential would definitely change.