Propriedades de fluxo do feijão macassar (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) para o dimensionamento de silos.

Abstract

The macassar bean {Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) is a comestible leguminous containing a high protein value. It is widely distributed around the world, mainly in tropical and subtropical regions. In Brazil, it is cultivated in North and Northeast regions by small producers mainly for subsistence. Unfortunately, there is a very low amount of research in this area, as can be seen by the fact that there is no specific norm for "actions and stream on silos", which could be used for orientation of projects and professionals related to this area, even being Brazil one of the largest grain producers of the world. As consequence of this fact, there is a generation of innumerous problems with silos projects in agricultural products processing plants. This work has the main objective of determining the physical and stream properties of macassar bean {Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) for application on silos configuration projects. Tests were executed with a TSG 70-40 machine, known as "Jenike Shear Cell", recommended by the main international norms. The following properties were established: humidity level, particle size, consolidated density, angle of internal friction instantaneous, effective angle of internal friction instantaneous, friction angle of silo wall, flow function and flow factor. According to results, the unload holes calculated for the used humidity and load levels will grant a funnel flow, avoiding the "tube effect". As the physical and flow properties were determined according to international norms, they can be used for the future Brazilian norm for action and flow on silos.