EFFECT OF MOISTURE-CONTENT ON BULK HANDLING PROPERTIES OF ALFALFA PELLETS

Bulk properties of alfalfa pellets needed for design of storage and ha ndling equipment were experimentally determined. Bulk density, angle o f repose on filling and emptying, and internal angle of friction were affected by moisture content and pellet type. The internal angle of fr iction (23.2-degrees to 26.9-degrees) was less than angle of repose (2 7.6-degrees to 35.2-degrees on filling, and 35.4-degrees to 48.5-degre es on emptying) at any moisture content. Bulk density of pellets range d from 578 to 665 kg/m3 within the moisture range of 7.5% and 18%, wet basis.