EFFECT OF INSERTS ON MASS FLOW RATE AND POULTRY FEED FLOW

For an economical and safe design of vertical silos, factors such as the flow pattern that interfere in the distribution of loads in the silo, need to be carefully evaluated. Thus, the main objective of this research was to analyze the influence of different inserts, at different heights, in the flow characteristics and poultry feed flow in vertical silo. The flow characterization experiment was conducted in the Seed Processing Laboratory, the flow properties, the granulometry and moisture content determined in the Laboratory of Rural Constructions and Environment- LACRA, both from the Federal University of Campina Grande, Campina Grande - PB, in the period from June to November 2016.A longitudinally sectioned cylindrical silo with dimensions of 1.1 m height and 0.45 m diameter was used, representing a silo with H/D ratio equal to 2.4, and a hopper with 0.5 m height and inclination of 70° with the horizontal, with 0.06 m of discharge hole. The four types of inserts used were built in galvanized steel, being them: two simple cones and two double cones.