How Material Characteristics Influence Conveying and Processing Performance
Material handling problems rarely start with the equipment—they start with the material. In this webinar, Hapman Vice President Matt Richardson explains how material characteristics such as flowability, aeration, particle size, bulk density, moisture, and particle shape directly affect the performance and reliability of conveyors and bulk material processing systems.
Using real lab testing, application examples, and field experience, the session walks through why materials that appear similar on paper can behave very differently in practice—and how those differences influence conveyor selection, system layout, and long-term operation. This webinar is intended for engineers, operators, and project teams responsible for specifying, designing, or troubleshooting bulk solids handling systems.
Webinar Summary
This webinar explores how fundamental material properties drive the success—or failure—of bulk material handling systems. Topics include flow behavior, aeration and fluidization, particle size and shape, bulk density variation, packing and smearing tendencies, and the impact of air movement within conveying systems. The discussion highlights why understanding these characteristics early is essential to selecting the right conveyor type, minimizing wear, preventing plugging, and achieving consistent process performance.
Drawing on decades of application experience and in-house testing, Hapman demonstrates how material behavior influences everything from feeder and conveyor selection to hopper design, discharge methods, and system maintenance requirements.
Key Takeaways
- Material flowability and angle of repose strongly influence hopper design and inlet performance
- Aerating and fluidizing materials require special consideration to prevent backflow, flooding, and loss of control
- Particle size, shape, and size distribution affect packing, segregation, and conveyor clearances
- Bulk density can vary significantly between loose and compacted states, impacting throughput and equipment sizing
- Packing, smearing, and cohesive materials demand slower speeds, agitation, and specific design features
- Air movement—displaced, induced, or generated—plays a major role in dust control, accuracy, and system stability
- Conveyor selection should account for material behavior over time, not just initial performance
“If you don’t understand how your material behaves, no conveyor design is going to fix the problem.”
Matt Richardson, Vice President, Hapman
Have a material handling challenge you’re trying to solve?
Hapman works with processors and engineers to evaluate material behavior, test real-world conditions, and design bulk material handling systems that perform reliably in production. If you’re planning a new system—or troubleshooting an existing one—our team can help assess material characteristics and recommend the right approach.
👉 Contact Hapman to discuss your application or request material testing.