Measurement Protocol
Physical characterization method for determining the distribution and flow behavior of granular materials inside a rotating cylinder. Automated tumble profiling uses optical sensors to capture the dynamic angle of repose during continuous movement. These measurements provide data on the internal friction of the sample.
Geometric Analysis
Digital imaging systems track the surface profile of the material as the drum rotates at a controlled speed. The resulting data points define the curvature and slope of the moving bed. Analysis software calculates the height to identify inconsistencies in the mixture.
A single data point represents the average position of the particles relative to the axis of rotation.
Kinetic Variance
Rapid changes in the tumbling pattern indicate a transition from rolling to cascading flow. Granular particles behave differently depending on their moisture content and size distribution. A shift in the center of gravity often signals that the material is clumping or adhering to the walls of the vessel.
Constant monitoring identifies the exact moment when the flow regime becomes unstable.
Operational Limit
Precise control over the rotation frequency is required to avoid centrifugal forces that pin the material to the cylinder. Testing stops when the aerodynamic lift interferes with the gravity-driven flow. Results remain valid only for the specific drum diameter and fill level used during the calibration run.
