Various physical parameters of gravity pipes such as gravity pipe diameter, the inclination of the gravity pipe, the cone angle, temperature of the discharged material and the rate of air counter flow into the gravity pipe were studied. The results obtained from the pipe diameter and cone angle experiments showed that the mass flow rate was proportional to (D - 1.4d)(2.5) and also to theta(-0.5). The results from the pipe inclination experiment showed the existence of an angle of inclination for maximum flow, which was also reported by Wieghardt [Uber einige versuche an stromungen in sand. Ingenieur Archived 20, 109-115]. The air flow experiment also showed that the mass flow rate was inversely proportional to the air counter-flow rate, and strongly influenced by the material properties. Results from the temperature experiment showed that the temperature of the material had slight effect on the mass flow rate for the temperature range that was used in the experiment. Flow visualization images showed formation of solid plugs in the pipe that played a part in influencing the behaviour and mass flow rate of solids in the system. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.