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Granular particle-shape heterogeneous mixtures discharging through a silo.

Granular particle-shape heterogeneous mixtures discharging through a silo.

Authors :
Vamsi Krishna Reddy, A.
Kumar, Sonu
Anki Reddy, K.
Source :
Journal of Fluid Mechanics; 4/10/2021, Vol. 912, p1-22, 22p
Publication Year :
2021

Abstract

Process industries often involve handling non-cohesive solid materials which vary in size and shape. A comprehensive understanding of such systems helps in effective handling of industrial operations. Here, we studied heterogeneous mixtures of dumbbells and discs flowing out of a two-dimensional silo using discrete element method simulations. We analysed discharge dynamics of the mixtures in two regimes, namely the free-flow regime ($W/d>=15$) and the interrupted flow regime ($W/d), where $W$ and $d$ are the orifice width and diameter of each of the circles of a dumbbell. One of the intriguing results is a decrease in the flow rate $Q$ of mixtures with an increase in the fraction of dumbbells $X_{db}$ in both of the regimes analysed. This can be attributed to the geometrical interlocking among the particles and a hindrance to the rotation of dumbbells. The time-averaged (coarse-grained) flow fields reveal an increase in the size of the stagnant zone beside the orifice with an increase in $X_{db}$. The stagnant zone hinders the particles flowing next to it, which is another reason for a decrease in $Q$ with an increase in $X_{db}$. In the interrupted flow regime, we investigated clogged states of the mixtures using arch morphology, the fraction of dumbbells and number of particles in an arch, and avalanche sizes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
00221120
Volume :
912
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Journal of Fluid Mechanics
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
149512567
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1017/jfm.2020.1071