Discrete element modeling of switchgrass particles under compression and rotational shear

Guo, Yuan; Chen, Qiushi; Xia, Yidong; Westover, Tyler L.; Roni, Mohammad Sadekuzzaman; Eksioglu, Sandra

doi:10.1016/j.biombioe.2020.105649

Title: Discrete element modeling of switchgrass particles under compression and rotational shear

Journal Article · Fri Aug 21 00:00:00 EDT 2020 · Biomass and Bioenergy

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2020.105649· OSTI ID:1897464

^[1];

^[2];

^[3];

^[3]; Eksioglu, Sandra ^[4]

Clemson University, SC (United States); Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
Clemson University, SC (United States)
Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR (United States)

Switchgrass is a perennial herbaceous plant regarded as a biomass energy crop in the United States for its highadaptability and yield potential. Processing and handling of switchgrass particles are challenging due to the erratic mechanical and flow behavior originating from their intrinsic particulate properties. Here, we present a bonded-sphere discrete element model designed specifically for switchgrass particles. The model simultaneously captures three key particulate features, i.e., fibrous particle shapes, a wide range of particle sizes, and particle deformability. Realistic yet computationally efficient particle shape templates are created based on the image analysis data of switchgrass specimens. A fitting procedure is proposed to ensure both the particle width and length distributions are captured, a unique requirement for fibrous particles. Two full-scale numerical models, i.e., a uniaxial compression model and a Schulze ring shear model, are developed using information fromphysical experiments. The model is calibrated using experimental data of chopped-small switchgrass specimens, and then, is validated using data of chopped-large specimens in both compression and ring-shear tests. Numerical results show that the numerical models capture bulk densities accurately (with an error of 3%) while slightly underestimate the bulk friction angle. Furthermore, an extensive sensitivity analysis reveals that (1) switchgrass particles with rougher edges (due to different processing techniques) exhibit a higher shear strength and a lower flowability; (2) stiffer particles yield a lower bulk density (up to 21% lower) compared to more deformable particles, indicating particle deformability should be incorporated when modeling biomass flow in a preprocessing system.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

View Accepted Manuscript (Publisher)

Cite

Export

Save

Research Organization:: Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States); Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Transportation Office. Bioenergy Technologies Office; USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Sustainable Transportation Office. Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO)

Grant/Contract Number:: EE0008255; AC07-05ID14517

OSTI ID:: 1897464

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1648609; OSTI ID: 1656734

Report Number(s):: INL/JOU-19-56073

Journal Information:: Biomass and Bioenergy, Vol. 141; ISSN 0961-9534

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

References (44)

A discrete element approach for modelling the compression of crop stems Leblicq, Tom; Smeets, Bart; Ramon, Herman Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, Vol. 123 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compag.2016.02.018	journal	April 2016
A bonded-particle model for rock Potyondy, D. O.; Cundall, P. A. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, Vol. 41, Issue 8, p. 1329-1364 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2004.09.011	journal	December 2004
Computational study of granular shear flows of dry flexible fibres using the discrete element method Guo, Y.; Wassgren, C.; Hancock, B. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, Vol. 775 https://doi.org/10.1017/jfm.2015.289	journal	June 2015
Grinding performance and physical properties of wheat and barley straws, corn stover and switchgrass Mani, Sudhagar; Tabil, Lope G.; Sokhansanj, Shahab Biomass and Bioenergy, Vol. 27, Issue 4, p. 339-352 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2004.03.007	journal	October 2004
Fourier series-based discrete element method for computational mechanics of irregular-shaped particles Lai, Zhengshou; Chen, Qiushi; Huang, Linchong Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, Vol. 362 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cma.2020.112873	journal	April 2020
Parameters and contact models for DEM simulations of agricultural granular materials: A review Horabik, Józef; Molenda, Marek Biosystems Engineering, Vol. 147 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2016.02.017	journal	July 2016
A Review of Computational Models for the Flow of Milled Biomass Part I: Discrete-Particle Models Xia, Yidong; Stickel, Jonathan J.; Jin, Wencheng ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, Vol. 8, Issue 16 https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.0c00402	journal	April 2020
A bonded sphero-cylinder model for the discrete element simulation of elasto-plastic fibers Guo, Yu; Wassgren, Carl; Curtis, Jennifer S. Chemical Engineering Science, Vol. 175 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ces.2017.09.029	journal	January 2018
Discrete element simulation studies of angles of repose and shear flow of wet, flexible fibers Guo, Y.; Wassgren, C.; Ketterhagen, W. Soft Matter, Vol. 14, Issue 15 https://doi.org/10.1039/C7SM02135F	journal	January 2018
The biorefinery concept: Using biomass instead of oil for producing energy and chemicals Cherubini, Francesco Energy Conversion and Management, Vol. 51, Issue 7 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2010.01.015	journal	July 2010
Computational and Experimental Studies of Flexible Fiber Flows in a Normal-Stress-Fixed Shear Cell Guo, Y.; Buettner, K.; Lane, V. AIChE Journal, Vol. 65, Issue 1 https://doi.org/10.1002/aic.16397	journal	September 2018
Development of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) as a bioenergy feedstock in the United States McLaughlin, Samuel B.; Adams Kszos, Lynn Biomass and Bioenergy, Vol. 28, Issue 6 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2004.05.006	journal	June 2005
Feeding system for wood chips: A DEM study to improve equipment performance Rackl, Michael; Top, Felix; Molhoek, Carmen P. Biomass and Bioenergy, Vol. 98 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2017.01.003	journal	March 2017
Polyhedral particles for the discrete element method: Geometry representation, contact detection and particle generation Nassauer, Benjamin; Liedke, Thomas; Kuna, Meinhard Granular Matter, Vol. 15, Issue 1 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10035-012-0381-9	journal	November 2012
Coarse-grained CFD-DEM simulation of biomass gasification in a fluidized bed reactor Ostermeier, Peter; Fischer, Felix; Fendt, Sebastian Fuel, Vol. 255 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2019.115790	journal	November 2019
Estimating bond damping and bond Young's modulus for a flexible wheat straw discrete element method model Schramm, Matthew; Tekeste, Mehari Z.; Plouffe, Carol Biosystems Engineering, Vol. 186 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2019.08.003	journal	October 2019
Predicting breakage of high aspect ratio particles in an agitated bed using the Discrete Element Method Guo, Y.; Wassgren, C.; Hancock, B. Chemical Engineering Science, Vol. 158 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ces.2016.10.043	journal	February 2017
Biomass yield and quality of 20 switchgrass populations in southern Iowa, USA Lemus, R.; Brummer, E. Charles; Moore, Kenneth J. Biomass and Bioenergy, Vol. 23, Issue 6 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0961-9534(02)00073-9	journal	December 2002
Densification of biomass using a pilot scale flat ring roller pellet mill Jackson, Joshua; Turner, Aaron; Mark, Tyler Fuel Processing Technology, Vol. 148 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuproc.2016.02.024	journal	July 2016
Granular shear flows of flexible rod-like particles Guo, Y.; Curtis, J.; Wassgren, C. POWDERS AND GRAINS 2013: Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Micromechanics of Granular Media, AIP Conference Proceedings https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4811975	conference	January 2013
Optimizing hammer mill performance through screen selection and hammer design Yancey, Neal; Wright, Christopher T.; Westover, Tyler L. Biofuels, Vol. 4, Issue 1 https://doi.org/10.4155/bfs.12.77	journal	January 2013
Discrete element modeling of deformable pinewood chips in cyclic loading test Xia, Yidong; Lai, Zhengshou; Westover, Tyler Powder Technology, Vol. 345 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2018.12.072	journal	March 2019
DEM/CFD modeling of the fuel conversion in a pellet stove Wiese, Jens; Wissing, Frank; Höhner, Dominik Fuel Processing Technology, Vol. 152 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuproc.2016.06.005	journal	November 2016
DEM simulation of bonded granular material. Part I: Contact model and application to cemented sand Shen, Zhifu; Jiang, Mingjing; Thornton, Colin Computers and Geotechnics, Vol. 75 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2016.02.007	journal	May 2016
Comprehensive rheological characterization of chopped and ground switchgrass Westover, Tyler L.; Phanphanich, Manunya; Ryan, J. Chadron Biofuels, Vol. 6, Issue 5-6, p. 249-260 https://doi.org/10.1080/17597269.2015.1091189	journal	October 2015
DEM of triaxial tests on crushable cemented sand Bono, J. P. de; McDowell, G. R.; Wanatowski, D. Granular Matter, Vol. 16, Issue 4 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10035-014-0502-8	journal	April 2014
Models, algorithms and validation for opensource DEM and CFD-DEM Kloss, Christoph; Goniva, Christoph; Hager, Alice Progress in Computational Fluid Dynamics, An International Journal, Vol. 12, Issue 2/3 https://doi.org/10.1504/PCFD.2012.047457	journal	January 2012
Effect of compressive load and particle size on compression characteristics of selected varieties of wheat straw grinds Kashaninejad, Mahdi; Tabil, Lope G.; Knox, Ron Biomass and Bioenergy, Vol. 60 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2013.11.017	journal	January 2014
Simulation of tensile behavior of plant fibers using the Discrete Element Method (DEM) Sadrmanesh, Vahid; Chen, Ying Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, Vol. 114 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2018.08.023	journal	November 2018
DEM modelling for flow of cohesive lignocellulosic biomass powders: Model calibration using bulk tests Pachón-Morales, John; Do, Huy; Colin, Julien Advanced Powder Technology, Vol. 30, Issue 4 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apt.2019.01.003	journal	April 2019
Elastic Spheres in Contact Under Varying Oblique Forces Mindlin, R. D.; Deresiewicz, H. Journal of Applied Mechanics, Vol. 20, Issue 3 https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4010702	journal	September 1953
Net energy of cellulosic ethanol from switchgrass Schmer, M. R.; Vogel, K. P.; Mitchell, R. B. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Vol. 105, Issue 2 https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0704767105	journal	January 2008
Grinding energy and physical properties of chopped and hammer-milled barley, wheat, oat, and canola straws Tumuluru, J. S.; Tabil, L. G.; Song, Y. Biomass and Bioenergy, Vol. 60 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2013.10.011	journal	January 2014
Experimental and numerical investigation of the bulk behavior of wood pellets on a model type grate Kruggel-Emden, H.; Sudbrock, F.; Wirtz, S. Granular Matter, Vol. 14, Issue 6 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10035-012-0376-6	journal	October 2012
A novel heat transfer model of biomass briquettes based on secondary development in EDEM Li, Yudi; Xu, Hongguang; Jing, Chenghu Renewable Energy, Vol. 131 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2018.07.141	journal	February 2019
Distributed biomass supply chain cost optimization to evaluate multiple feedstocks for a biorefinery Roni, Mohammad S.; Thompson, David N.; Hartley, Damon S. Applied Energy, Vol. 254 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2019.113660	journal	November 2019
Flowability parameters for chopped switchgrass, wheat straw and corn stover Chevanan, Nehru; Womac, Alvin R.; Bitra, Venkata S. P. Powder Technology, Vol. 193, Issue 1 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2009.02.009	journal	July 2009
Feeding properties and behavior of hammer- and knife-milled pine Hernandez, Sergio; Westover, Tyler L.; Matthews, Austin C. Powder Technology, Vol. 320 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2017.07.002	journal	October 2017
Characterization and discrete element simulation of grading and shape-dependent behavior of JSC-1A Martian regolith simulant Lai, Zhengshou; Chen, Qiushi Granular Matter, Vol. 19, Issue 4 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10035-017-0754-1	journal	August 2017
A methodical calibration procedure for discrete element models Rackl, Michael; Hanley, Kevin J. Powder Technology, Vol. 307 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2016.11.048	journal	February 2017
A discrete numerical model for granular assemblies Cundall, P. A.; Strack, O. D. L. Géotechnique, Vol. 29, Issue 1 https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.1979.29.1.47	journal	March 1979
Assessment of biomass bulk elastic response to consolidation Ilic, D.; Williams, K. C.; Ellis, D. Chemical Engineering Research and Design, Vol. 135 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cherd.2018.05.028	journal	July 2018
Discharge of rapeseeds from a model silo: Physical testing and discrete element method simulations Parafiniuk, Piotr; Molenda, Marek; Horabik, Józef Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, Vol. 97 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compag.2013.06.008	journal	September 2013
Reusing, recycling and up-cycling of biomass: A review of practical and kinetic modelling approaches Osman, Ahmed I.; Abdelkader, Adel; Farrell, Charlie Fuel Processing Technology, Vol. 192 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuproc.2019.04.026	journal	September 2019

Similar Records

Discrete element modeling of deformable pinewood chips in cyclic loading test

Journal Article · Sat Dec 22 00:00:00 EST 2018 · Powder Technology · OSTI ID:1897464

Xia, Yidong; Lai, Zhengshou; Westover, Tyler; +3 more

Reverse scaling of a bonded-sphere DEM model: Formulation and application to lignocellulosic biomass microstructures

Journal Article · Mon Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 2022 · Powder Technology · OSTI ID:1897464

Sun, Quan; Chen, Qiushi; Xia, Yidong; +4 more

Bulk density and compaction behavior of knife mill chopped switchgrass,wheat straw, and corn stover

Journal Article · Sat Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 2009 · Bioresource technology · OSTI ID:1897464

Chevanan, Nehru; Womac, A R; Bitra, V S.P.; +4 more

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
biomass preprocessing
discrete element method
switchgrass
irregular shape
deformable particles
ring shear test
mechanical properties
09 - BIOMASS FUELS
97 - MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING
36 - MATERIALS SCIENCE

Title: Discrete element modeling of switchgrass particles under compression and rotational shear

Citation Formats

References (44)

Similar Records

Related Subjects