Prediction of screw conveyor performance using the Discrete Element Method (DEM)
TL;DR: In this paper, the Discrete Element Method (DEM) is applied to simulate a single pitch screw conveyor with periodic boundary conditions to predict the performance of screw conveyors in terms of variations of particle speeds, mass flow rate, energy dissipation and power consumption, due to changes in the operating conditions.
About: This article is published in Powder Technology.The article was published on 2009-08-10. It has received 179 citations till now. The article focuses on the topics: Screw conveyor & Discrete element method.
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors report on the calibration and validation of the input parameters for the specific case of cylindrical tablets represented by conjoined spheres, and highlight some of the key issues for a wider-spread of industrial applications for discrete element method.
Abstract: As a consequence of increasing computer power and more readily useable commercial and open source codes, Discrete Element Method (DEM) is becoming widely used across a range of applications to simulate increasingly complex processes. This is exacerbating the challenge of setting up simulations for industrial applications. The literature on input parameter selection is divided. A number of papers report methods for their direct measurement. Others, by contrast, propose a “calibration” approach where the particle properties are derived as adjustable parameters by quantitative comparison of experimental and simulation results. This paper reports on the calibration and validation of the input parameters for the specific case of cylindrical tablets represented by conjoined spheres. The initial steps are to not only assign and optimise the DEM input parameters but also optimise the shape representation; what degree of linearity of the edges and angularity of the corners are required to accurately reflect the cylindrical shape. The model was used to simulate two configurations of a rotating drum: an “attrition tester” with a single longitudinal baffle and an un-baffled drum. The results were compared qualitatively and quantitatively with experimental data. While the qualitative comparison was good in most cases, detailed quantitative comparison fared less well, with some significant errors. This study highlights some of the key issues for a wider-spread of industrial applications for DEM.
169 citations
Cites background from "Prediction of screw conveyor perfor..."
...…Samimi et al., 2005; Markauskas and Kacianauskas, 2006; Mehrotra et al., 2009), flow in screw extruders and conveyers (Moysey and Thompson, 2005; Owen and Cleary, 2009), vibratory screening, filling of dragline bucket, conveyor belt design, earth-mover bulldozer plate design (Cleary, 2000,…...
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..., 2009), flow in screw extruders and conveyers (Moysey and Thompson, 2005; Owen and Cleary, 2009), vibratory screening, filling of dragline bucket, conveyor belt design, earth-mover bulldozer plate design (Cleary, 2000, 2010; Zhang et al....
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14 Jul 2015
TL;DR: In this article, a parametric multi-level sensitivity method is employed to understand the impact of the DEM input particle properties on the bulk responses for a given simple system: discharge of particles from a flat bottom cylindrical container onto a plate.
Abstract: Selection or calibration of particle property input parameters is one of the key problematic aspects for the implementation of the discrete element method (DEM) In the current study, a parametric multi-level sensitivity method is employed to understand the impact of the DEM input particle properties on the bulk responses for a given simple system: discharge of particles from a flat bottom cylindrical container onto a plate In this case study, particle properties, such as Young’s modulus, friction parameters and coefficient of restitution were systematically changed in order to assess their effect on material repose angles and particle flow rate (FR) It was shown that inter-particle static friction plays a primary role in determining both final angle of repose and FR, followed by the role of inter-particle rolling friction coefficient The particle restitution coefficient and Young’s modulus were found to have insignificant impacts and were strongly cross correlated The proposed approach provides a systematic method that can be used to show the importance of specific DEM input parameters for a given system and then potentially facilitates their selection or calibration It is concluded that shortening the process for input parameters selection and calibration can help in the implementation of DEM
161 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the experimental determination of values for several of the microscopic properties of maize grains and olives, required for use in DEM simulations, are described, the apparatuses and experimental protocols employed, the difficulties arising with each described, and the results obtained discussed.
141 citations
127 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a numerical model is developed by means of the discrete element method to study the flow of cohesive particles in screw feeders, and a correlation for the prediction of solid flowrate is formulated as a function of the magnitude of cohesive force and the rotational speed of a screw.
125 citations
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TL;DR: Particle scale simulation of industrial particle flows using discrete element method (DEM) offers the opportunity for better understanding the flow dynamics leading to improvements in equipment design and operation that can potentially lead to large increases in equipment and process efficiency, throughput and/or product quality as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Particle scale simulation of industrial particle flows using discrete element method (DEM) offers the opportunity for better understanding the flow dynamics leading to improvements in equipment design and operation that can potentially lead to large increases in equipment and process efficiency, throughput and/or product quality. Industrial applications can be characterized as large, involving complex particulate behaviour in typically complex geometries. In this paper, with a series of examples, we will explore the breadth of large scale modelling of industrial processes that is currently possible. Few of these applications will be examined in more detail to show how insights into the fundamentals of these processes can be gained through DEM modelling. Some examples of our collaborative validation efforts will also be described.
323 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a model of a S m diameter ball mill is presented and the charge behaviour, torque and power draw are analyzed for a range of rotation rates from SO to 130% of the critical speed.
307 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the effects of changes in mill operating parameters and particle properties on the charge shape and power draw of a 5m ball mill were analyzed, showing that the speed for which peak power consumption occurs is predominantly determined by the shear strength of the charge material and the fill level.
179 citations
TL;DR: In this article, an analysis of the vortex motion in vertical or steeply inclined screw or auger conveyors is presented, which is characterised by the tangential component of the absolute grain velocity being substantially constant with the radial position of a point on the blade.
102 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a numerical analysis using the 3D distinct element method (DEM) is conducted in order to examine the performance of screw conveyors, in particular, the simulation of horizontal and vertical types.
Abstract: A numerical analysis using the 3D distinct element method (DEM) is conducted in order to examine the performance of screw conveyors. In particular, the simulation of horizontal and vertical types is studied. The results are compared with previous work and empirical equations. As a result, it is determined that this method is sufficiently well developed and useful to analyze the performance of screw conveyors.
97 citations