Discrete element modeling of granular hopper flow of irregular-shaped deformable particles

Lai, Zhengshou; Xia, Yidong; Chen, Qiushi

doi:10.1016/j.apt.2023.104106

Discrete element modeling of granular hopper flow of irregular-shaped deformable particles

Journal Article · Fri Jun 09 00:00:00 EDT 2023 · Advanced Powder Technology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apt.2023.104106· OSTI ID:1994295

Lai, Zhengshou ^[1]; ^[2]; Chen, Qiushi ^[3]

Sun Yat-Sen Univ. (China); Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
Clemson Univ., SC (United States)

Many natural and engineered granular materials have relatively deformable particles. Besides particle size and shape, particle deformability is another salient factor that significantly impacts the material’s flow behavior. Here, in this work, the flow of irregular-shaped deformable particles in a wedge-shaped hopper is investigated using discrete element simulations. A bonded-sphere model is developed to simultaneously capture irregular particle shapes and particle-wise deformations (e.g., compression, deflection, and distortion). Quantitative analysis of the effects of irregular shapes and particle deformations shows that the increase in particle stiffness tends to increase initial packing porosity and decrease the flow rate in the hopper. Rigid particles tend to have clogging issues, whereas deformable particles have less chance to, indicating particle deformation reduces the critical bridging width in the hopper flow. Detailed analysis of stress fields is also conducted to provide insights into the mechanism of particle flow and clogging. Stresses and discharge rates calculated from numerical simulations are compared and show good agreement with Walker’s theory and the extended Beverloo formula. Simulations with various particle shape combinations are also performed and show that the initial packing porosity decreases with an increasing percentage of fibers while the discharge rate has a complex dependency on particle shapes.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

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

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

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

OSTI ID:: 1994295

Report Number(s):: INL/JOU-18-51769-Rev000

Journal Information:: Advanced Powder Technology, Journal Name: Advanced Powder Technology Journal Issue: 9 Vol. 34; ISSN 0921-8831

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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