Use of Penetrometry in the Evaluation of Flowability and Structure of PowderedSubstances

Overview

Usability of modified penetrometry is examined and significant relationships with routinely usedcharacteristics of flowability and structure of powdered substances are searched for in size fractionsof sodium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium citrate, and potassium citrate. A systematic study ofinterrelationships between properties made it possible to achieve sufficiently reproducible resultswithout a necessity of consolidation. By means of factor analysis, a connection between penetrometry,bulk flow rate, and Kawakita-constant was demonstrated. For multidimensional linear regresssionfor estimation of penetrometry, the significance of examined properties decreases in the orderKawakita-constant > loose bulk density > total porosity > bulk flow rate > mass flow rate. The mostimportant itemof knowledge gained in the study is the dependence of penetrometry on a combinationof loose bulk density and Kawakita-constant.

Key words:
powdered substances – flowability – penetrometry – multivariation methods