Abstract
Flow characterization of ground materials based on standard physical properties is not always accurate and must be complemented with other properties that help characterize their flowability. The flow properties of yellow cornmeal as a function of moisture content (10.0%, 13.5% 17.0%, and 20.0% wet basis) and concentrations of added conditioner (calcium stearate, a caking agent classified at GRAS, at 0.50%, 0.75%, and 1.00% wt/wt) were measured. The optimum flow behavior characteristics of the cornmeal were achieved at 0.50% wt/wt calcium stearate and 10.0% (w.b.) moisture content based on the flow function test. Overall, the material's flowability decreased with increased moisture content based on very high values for Hausner's ratio, Carr's Index, and angle of repose. The flow index (ffc) obtained by the flow function test decreased from 6.47 to 3.82 as moisture increased, indicating increased cohesivity. Calcium stearate increased the flowability of the material at 0.50% wt/wt, beyond which the flowability was not affected (p > .05). Samples were very hygroscopic and classified as Class IV. The Hausner's ratio, Carr's Index, and angle of repose showed a strong linear relationship with the flow index with correlation values of 0.91, 0.88, and 0.88, respectively. Isotherms together with physical properties should be used to determine the flow characteristics of granulated materials such as yellow cornmeal to establish the best storage and processing conditions.
Highlights
Rat holing, arching, caking, segregation, and flooding are some of the flow problems that are encountered in handling granulated materials
Addition of calcium stearate did not (p > .05) change the rate of moisture absorption (EMC) of the samples at the test temperature (25°C), and close examination of the slopes of the linear region of the isotherms (Region II; Figure 1 insert) indicates that adding conditioner slightly decreased the degree of hygroscopicity (Equation 3)
Bulk density decreased while tapped density increased significantly (p < .05) with increasing moisture content, which affected the flow behavior by resisting flow
Summary
Rat holing, arching, caking, segregation, and flooding are some of the flow problems that are encountered in handling granulated materials Understanding their properties is very important from an economical and technical point of view (Aulton, 2013; Ghosal, Indira, & Bhattacharya, 2010; Na, Ghadiri, & Wang, 2017). Juliano, & Yan, 2005; Durney & Meloy, 1986; Molenda, Montross, Horabik, & Ross, 2002; Prescott & Barnum, 2000; Schwedes, 2003; Teunou & Fitzpatrick, 1999; Teunou, Fitzpatrick, & Synnott, 1999) Rheological parameters such as flow behavior index, apparent viscosity, and viscoelasticity of cornmeal dough have been widely researched, but there is a scarcity of literature about the cornmeal as an ingredient itself (Padmanabhan & Bhattacharya, 1993). Knowledge of the flow behavior of cornmeal will aid in determining whether the material has undergone any significant chemical or physical changes during handling
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