Numerical simulation of particle flow behavior in a screw conveyor using the discrete element method

Particle motion in a screw conveyor was simulated w让h the discrete element method. The particle flow behavior and transport processes at different screw rotating speeds and filling levels were investigated in this study. The spatial distributions of particle velocity were predicted. The predicted mass flow rate increased w让h increasing screw rotating speed and filling level. The contact forces and granular temperatures of particles were also calculated. The simulation results showed that the translational granular particle temperatures were higher than the rotational granular particle temperatures. In add让ion, the configurational temperatures of particles were calculated from simulated instantaneous particle overlaps, and results indicated that deformation of elastic particles contributed to the rate of energy dissipation. Good agreement between the numerical simulation and experimental results was achieved in this study.