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arXiv · 1907.10980

Granulation and suspension rheology: a unified treatment

Daniel J. M. Hodgson·Michiel Hermes·Elena Blanco·Wilson C. K. Poon
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Abstract

Mixing a small amount of liquid into a powder can give rise to dry-looking granules; increasing the amount of liquid eventually produces a flowing suspension. We perform experiments on these phenomena using Spheriglass, an industrially-realistic model powder. Drawing on recent advances in understanding friction-induced shear thickening and jamming in suspensions, we offer a unified description of granulation and suspension rheology. A 'liquid incorporation phase diagram' explains the existence of permanent and transient granules and the increase of granule size with liquid content. Our results point to rheology-based design principles for industrial granulation.

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Daniel J. M. Hodgson, Michiel Hermes, Elena Blanco, Wilson C. K. Poon. 2019-07-25. Granulation and suspension rheology: a unified treatment. https://doi.org/10.1122/8.0000515

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