Experimental and simulation investigation of flow patterns and feeder loads at hopper/feeder interface

A wedged plane-flow hopper and horizontal belt feeder is employed to investigate the flow patterns and stress field redistribution at the hopper and feeder interface. The flow patterns are recorded by a high speed camera in conjunction with coloured material layers. The three-dimensional stress field in the feed zone and its influence on the feeder operation are discussed. The vertical stresses acting on the feeder for initial filling and flow conditions are measured along with longitudinal shear feeder loads. The experimental results are compared with theoretical values derived using relevant feeder load theories. The influences of different filling heights and clearance between the hopper bottom and feeder surface on feeder loads are presented. Numerical simulations using the Discrete Element Method (DEM) are carried out additionally to analyse feeder loads at hopper and feeder interface, the results being compared with those obtained experimentally.