Chute Flow of Soybeans

The steady flow of soybeans over a smooth aluminum surface and over a bumpy glass bead surface was studied. High speed video was used to aid in analysis of frictional and collisional flow and the transition between these regimes. The greatest discharge rate was observed during high velocity frictional flow. The highest velocity frictional flow occurred in the chute at slopes near the angle of friction between the surface and soybeans. The highest velocity frictional flow was observed at approximately 18° for the smooth (aluminum) surface and 20° for the bumpy (glass bead) surface. Damage to the soybeans increased with increasing velocity over a given surface. Also, more damage occurred in the collisional flow regime. The average mass percentage of damage was 2.2% for control soybeans that had not flowed through the chute. The average mass percentage of damage was 3.4% for the frictional flow regime and 4.2% for the collisional flow regime. The average germination rate for control soybeans that had not flowed through the chute was 91.5%. The germination rate was 87.0% for the frictional flow regime and 81.5% for the collisional flow regime.