Description of the silo flow and bulk solid pulsation detection using ECT

This paper covers the results of tests with the slender cylindrical silo emptied both gravitationally and in a controlled manner. The measurement technique chosen as an examination tool is the Electrical Capacitance Tomography (ECT). The major aim of this paper is to demonstrate the measurement capabilities of ECT system dedicated to detect oscillations in non-cohesive sand during silo flow. The actual experimental measurements were preceded by analysis of signal noise for static and dynamic tests. The influence of the initial density, wall roughness, elevation and velocity on the emptying process and vibrations is examined, as well. Results are presented in the form of continuous, concentration vs. time, graphs. Graphs are plotted on the basis of the raw measurement data and values of chosen reconstructed image pixels.