<i>Finite Element Modeling of Biomass Hopper Flow</i>
- Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park, PA (United States)
- Forest Concepts, LLC
The hopper is one of the widely used biomass handling devices that channels the bulk biomass from storage to the subsequent handling systems. Although Jenike's approach has been successfully used for hoppers handling grains and other agricultural produces for decades, designing a hopper, ensuring reliable biomass handling is found to be challenging. This study aims to address this engineering problem with alternative constitutive material models concerning the flow behavior of bulk solids. Finite element modeling is an approach that allows for implementing different material models. Underlying constitutive theories of different material models assist in investigating the mechanical behavior of a particulate system, including the flow characteristics of ground biomass. This study demonstrates hopper flow models of two types of biomass, i.e., ground corn stover and Douglas fir, with the Mohr-Coulomb model, which is based on Jenike's approach, modified Cam-Clay model, and Drucker-Prager/Cap model. The modeling results are compared with hopper flow experiments to highlights the advantages and shortfalls of each constitutive biomass flow model.
- Research Organization:
- Forest Concepts, LLC, Auburn, WA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Transportation Office. Bioenergy Technologies Office
- Contributing Organization:
- The Pennsylvania State University
- DOE Contract Number:
- EE0008254
- OSTI ID:
- 1867441
- Report Number(s):
- DOE-FC-08254-2
- Journal Information:
- 2020 ASABE Annual International Virtual Meeting, July 13-15, 2020, Conference: 2020 ASABE Annual International Virtual Meeting, July 13- 15, 2020
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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