(Granular chute flows of smooth, nearly elastic, spheres)

Technical Report · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1991

OSTI ID:5751126

Richman, M W

The purpose of this investigation is to treat vertical, chute flows of smooth, nearly elastic spheres in the context of kinetic theories for granular flows. Of special interest are the circumstances under which more than one steady flow is possible and the circumstances under which no steady flow is possible. We focus on steady, fully developed flows of identical, smooth, nearly elastic spheres that are driven by gravity and contained between fixed parallel bumpy surfaces. We employ a theory that applies to the full range of solid fraction to obtain numerical solutions for the profiles of solid fraction, mean velocity, and granular temperature. Neither the shapes of the profiles nor the energy transfer at the boundaries are restricted. We find that for prescribed particle properties, boundary properties, and distances between the plates, there is a maximum flow rate M at which a steady flow is possible, and that for certain flow rates and distances between the plates both a dilute fast flow and a dense slow flow are possible. 13 refs., 5 figs.

• Research Organization: Worcester Polytechnic Inst., MA (USA)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC22-91PC90185
• OSTI ID: 5751126
• Report Number(s): DOE/PC/90185-T1; ON: DE91014246
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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