Fluid-dynamics Evaluation In A Conical Spouted Bed And Characterization Of Foxtail Millet Seeds

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Foxtail millet (Setaria italica) is one of the most valuable species in economic terms in the genus Setaria and plays an important role in human nutrition, animal feed, and agriculture. The present study described chemical, physical, and quality aspects of seeds of foxtail millet. Furthermore, the fluid-dynamic behavior of the seeds was evaluated in a conical spouted bed, which has advantages in terms of promoting the cyclic and regular movement of the seed particles. Dynamic parameters of spouting (minimum spouting velocity, stable and peak pressure drop) were determined and compared with those obtained from empirical correlations available in the literature. The results obtained from physical characterization showed that the seeds can be classified as belonging to Group D of Geldart, having a non-rough surface, mean diameter of 1.75 mm, and sphericity of 0.74. Fluid-dynamics analysis showed that the seeds are suitable for processing in a spouted bed, which is in agreement with the results of particle physical characterization. (C) 2015 Chinese Society of Particuology and Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.237581PROPESP/FADESP (Federal University of Para/Brazil) [23073.004357/2014-12]Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)CNPq [552374/2011-3