A comparison between interparticle forces estimated with direct powder shear testing and with sound assisted fluidization

•IPFs of cohesive powders under actual fluidization conditions were evaluated•Cluster/subcluster model was applied to calculate IPFs•The sound assisted fluidization approach was compared to the shear testing one•The obtained IPFs were comparable to those evaluated with a shear testing approach

Understanding the role of the interparticle forces in fluidization of cohesive powders is crucial for a proper application of fluidization to these type of powders. However, a direct measure of the interparticle interactions (IPFs) is challenging, mainly because cohesive particles cannot be fluidized under ordinary conditions. That is the reason why IPFs are typically measured using a rheological approach. The aim of this study is, therefore, to evaluate the IPFs of cohesive powders under actual fluidization conditions, by using an experimental and theoretical approach. In particular, a sound assisted fluidized bed apparatus was used to achieve a fluidization regime of the particles. Then, the cluster/subcluster model was applied to calculate IPFs, starting from the experimental data. The obtained IPFs were then compared to those evaluated by using a shear testing approach.

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