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Updated: Apr 19, 2026
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Fast Imaging Technique to Study Drop Impact Dynamics of Non-Newtonian Fluids
Published on: March 5, 2014
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Discharge of non-spherical particles from a Hopper using fast x-ray imaging.
Muhammad Ahmed Hanif1, Frank Barthel2, Diego Maza3
1University of Twente, Physics of Fluids Group, 7500AE Enschede, The Netherlands.
Physical Review. E
|April 18, 2026
Summary
This study used x-ray tomography to analyze granular material flow from hoppers, finding that hopper inclination increases flow velocity and density. Lentil-shaped particles showed the highest velocity and densest packing, improving discharge rate predictions.
Area of Science:
- Granular physics
- Material science
- Fluid dynamics
Background:
- Industrial hoppers are crucial for granular material flow.
- Analyzing dense, opaque granular flow dynamics at the orifice is challenging.
- Hopper discharge is governed by local dynamics at the opening.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate granular material outflow from 3D hoppers using x-ray tomography.
- To analyze the effects of particle shape and hopper inclination on flow dynamics.
- To develop models for extracting velocity, volume fraction, and particle orientation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized x-ray tomography to image cross-sections near the hopper orifice.
- Created 3D representations by time-stacking 2D cross-sections.
- Applied image filtration and developed experimental models to extract flow parameters.
Main Results:
- Hopper inclination significantly increases velocity and volume fraction profiles.
- Oblate (lentil-shaped) particles exhibited higher velocities and denser packing.
- Particle shape influenced packing order, with oblate particles packing more orderly than prolate (rice-shaped) particles.
- Discharge rates derived from flow profiles agreed well with experimental measurements for spherical and oblate particles.
Conclusions:
- Hopper inclination and particle shape are critical factors in granular material outflow.
- The developed methods provide accurate insights into granular flow dynamics.
- Findings contribute to optimizing hopper design and material handling processes.
