Lab Testing

The Solex lab testing facility provides its clients with extensive analysis of bulk solid materials to help evaluate physical and thermal properties of the clients' bulk material, as well as determine material flow characteristics. The lab testing helps establish the design characteristics of the Solex heat exchanger and its suitability for use in the clients application.

See a Sample Lab Test Report (PDF)

Lab testing consists of the following procedures:

1. Material Property Analysis

Material characteristics of the product sample are tested to determine particle size distribution, bulk density, moisture content and angle of repose.

2. Flowability Testing

Flowability testing determines the optimum heat exchanger plate spacing to ensure that the material will flow without bridging or blocking. This test work is carried out in a transparent test chamber fitted with heat exchanger plates. The material flow pattern is observed at various plate spaces to determine the critical clear space required between the plates.

3. Mass Flow Testing

Mass flow testing (shear cell testing) is carried out to determine material flow characteristics to ensure that mass flow (uniform velocity) is obtained in the equipment, particularly in a mass flow discharge hopper.

4. Thermal Property Analysis

Determining the thermal characteristics of a bulk solid material is critical for heat exchanger design. The two key variables that define the thermal property of a material are Thermal Conductivity and Specific Heat. Thermal conductivity testing provides the measure of how well a material conducts heat. The thermal conductivity of a bulk solid is dependant on base material composition, size distribution and temperature. Since the thermal conductivity is sensitive to many variables, Solex measures this in its lab using an advanced hot wired method. Specific heat defines the thermal capacity of the material. The specific heat values are normally readily available for most materials and testing is not usually required to obtain the necessary data.

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