The project aims to find a relationship between self-aggregation and the flow properties of fine cohesive powders in weakly compacted states, which creates difficulties in handling and processing of industrial powders.

Specific objectives are:

1. Test powders under controlled conditions to study aggregate size and shape evolution and the ensuing powder flow properties;
2. Use artificially aggregated powders to verify the effects of powder agglomeration and the resulting flow properties at low consolidation;
3. Develop, calibrate and validate a meso-DEM model at the aggregate scale to verify if a meso-scale approach can reproduce the relevant powder flow behaviour experimentally determined in small dosing hoppers or drying and granulation units.

Expected Results:

1. A model capable of relating the different aggregation states of the powder and the relationship to its flow properties;
2. A novel measurement procedure for powder flow properties which includes a powder preparation step relevant to low consolidation and a powder measurement step that is able to catch the significant powder properties;
3. Calibrated and validated meso-scale DEM of self-aggregating cohesive fine powders.

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