Resistance of Black Gram to Airflow

Pressure drops were measured in clean black gram (Vigna mungo Proxb.) beds at moisture content of 5.02 to 20.21 % (d.b.) for superficial air velocities ranging between 0.0108 and 0.8651 m^2/s m^2 at bed depths of 0.2 to 0.6 m with bulk density ranging from 690 to 825 kg/m^3. The airflow resistance of black gram was found to increase with increased airflow rate, bulk density, bed depth and decreased moisture content. Results indicated that 15.19% increase in moisture content decreased the pressure drop by 36% whereas, 6.4% increase in bulk density increased the pressure drop by 43%. Modified Sheddʹs equation and Hukill and Ives equation were examined for pressure drop prediction. Airflow resistance was accurately described by modified Sheddʹs equation.