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Clogging of Cohesive Particles in a Two-Dimensional Hopper
Johnathan Hoggarth1, Pablo E Illing2, Eric R Weeks2
1McMaster University, Department of Physics and Astronomy, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, L8S 4M1, Ontario, Canada.
Physical Review Letters
|March 13, 2026
Summary
Cohesive particle clogging in hoppers is enhanced by stronger cohesion. This phenomenon is governed by a cohesive length scale, not particle diameter, under strong cohesion.
Area of Science:
- Fluid dynamics
- Materials science
- Physics of granular materials
Background:
- Hopper flow is crucial in industrial processes.
- Understanding particle clogging is essential for process efficiency.
- Cohesive forces significantly influence granular material flow.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the clogging of cohesive particles in a two-dimensional hopper.
- To determine the key parameters governing clogging behavior.
- To establish a predictive model for cohesive particle clogging.
Main Methods:
- Experimental investigation using buoyant, monodisperse oil droplets in an aqueous solution.
- Computational simulations to complement experimental findings.
- Systematic variation of droplet size, buoyant force, cohesion, and hopper opening.
Main Results:
- Increased cohesion leads to enhanced particle clogging.
- A cohesive length scale, derived from balancing forces, governs clogging.
- Data collapses onto a master curve when normalized by the cohesive length scale.
- Clogging behavior is dictated by the cohesive length scale rather than particle diameter under strong cohesion.
Conclusions:
- Cohesive forces are a primary driver of clogging in hoppers.
- The cohesive length scale provides a unifying parameter for clogging phenomena.
- Findings offer insights for optimizing granular material flow and preventing blockages.
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