Studying the design parameters of an auger filler in packaging black pepper seeds using the discrete element method

Abstract

Auger fillers are vastly used in the food industries for packaging edible seeds, spices and powders. This research studies the effects of design parameters on the mass flow rate of black pepper seeds discharged from an auger-filler and the required input power. These parameters were auger angular velocity, diameter and pitch-to-diameter ratio and agitator angular velocity. It is intended to reach an optimal design of the auger filler with higher efficiency. To investigate the effects of the parameters and to reduce the number of simulations, the Taguchi algorithm is used. The obtained data from 16 discrete element simulations are analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). It is concluded that the most effective parameters on the output mass flow rate and the required power are the auger outer diameter and pitch-to-diameter ratio, respectively. Finally, the best outcome corresponding to the maximum mass flow rate and the minimum required power is found to occur at the auger angular velocity of 550 rpm, the agitator angular velocity of 25 rpm, the auger outer diameter of 2 inches, and pitch-to-diameter ratio of 1.5.