Effect of Free and Bound Water and Consolidation Process Time on the Strength of Food Powders
Source abstract
Abstract
This study examined the effect of particle size, moisture content, mixing, and consolidation time on the flow and mechanical behaviour of bulk rice assessed using a Schulze Ring Shear Tester RST-01. Three rice fractions: 0.5–1.0 mm, >1.0 mm, and whole grains were tested at 8% and 20% moisture. Fine particles showed high flowability in dry conditions but exhibited a strong increase in cohesion and a significant drop in the flow function coefficient at the higher moisture content. Unexpectedly, whole grains showed the highest shear resistance after moistening and consolidation, which can be attributed to force chain formation and localized capillary bonding. Extended mixing and consolidation further stabilized the structure and reduced flowability. These findings indicate that larger particles can exhibit greater mechanical stability in moist conditions. The results emphasize the need to consider particle size and preparation history in the handling and storage of bulk materials.
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Research context
OpenAlex topics: Granular flow and fluidized beds · Food Drying and Modeling · Microencapsulation and Drying Processes
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Institute of Agrophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Doświadczalna 4, 20-290 Lublin, Poland
Department of Agri-Food Engineering and Environmental Management, Bialystok University of Technology, Wiejska 45E, 15-351 Białystok, Poland
Department of Biosystems Engineering, Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Nowoursynowska 166, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
Department of Food Engineering and Process Management, Institute of Food Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS-SGGW), Nowoursynowska 159C, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
Department of Food Process Engineering, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Głęboka Street 31, 20-612 Lublin, Poland
References (29)
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