Numerical Simulation of the Flow of Fine Particles in a Hopper.

Authors :: Zhu, H. P.
Dong, K. J.
Yu, A. B.
Zou, R. P.
Roach, G.
Source :: AIP Conference Proceedings. 7/1/2009, Vol. 1145 Issue 1, p661-664. 4p. 1 Black and White Photograph, 2 Diagrams, 3 Graphs.
Publication Year :: 2009
Abstract: A three-dimensional DEM based numerical model is developed to simulate the flow of fine particles through a flat-bottom hopper. The microscopic structures of the hopper flows with different particle size, including velocity field and force structure, are studied. The effect of the van der Waals force on the discharge rate of particles is investigated. The results show that the trends of the distributions of these properties are similar for different particle sizes, but there are some differences in magnitude. The van der Waals force plays an important role in the flow structures and discharge rate of fine particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]