EFFECT OF FINES ON STORAGE AND HANDLING PROPERTIES OF ALFALFA PELLETS

Bulk properties, airflow resistance, and moisture absorption rates are required for the design of storage and handling equipment. Bulk densi ty, angle of repose, and airflow resistance of alfalfa pellets, as aff ected by fines concentrations in the bulk of the pellets, were determi ned experimentally. Fines concentrations were varied from 0 to 25%. Th e moisture absorption rate of fines of the pellets was also determined and compared to that of clean pellets. Bulk density and angle of repo se of the pellets increased significantly with fines concentration. Th e pressure drop versus airflow data on a log-log plot were nearly line ar and parallel for the various fines concentration. Increasing fines concentration from 0 to 25% increased the pressure drop three to eight fold depending on the level of airflow. Clean pellets absorbed 0.5 to 2.0% more moisture than fines over a 24 h period. The equilibrium moi sture content values for fines as predicted by an exponential model we re slightly greater than that of clean pellets.