Discrete element method study of shear-driven granular segregation in a slowly rotating horizontal drum

Segregation and mixing of granular materials are complex processes and are not fully understood. Motivated by industrial need, we performed a simulation using the discrete element method to study size segregation of a binary mixture of granular particles in a horizontal rotating drum. Particles of two dif- ferent sizes were poured into the drum until it was 50% full. Shear-driven segregation was induced by rotating the side-plates of the drum in the opposite direction to that of the cylindrical wall. We found that radial segregation diminished in these systems but did not completely vanish. In an ordinary rotating drum, a radial core of smaller particles is formed in the center of the drum, surrounded by larger revolving particles. In our system, however, the smaller particles were found to migrate toward the side-plates. The shear from anti-spinning side-plates reduces the voidage and increases the bulk density. As such, smaller particles in the mixer tend to move to denser regions. We varied the shear by changing the coefficient of friction on the side-plates to study the influence of shear rate on this migration. We also compared the extent of radial segregation with stationary side-plates and with side-plates moving in different angular directions.

Thermal segregation of asphalt material in road repair

This paper presents results from a field study of asphaltic pavement patching operations performed by three different contractors working in a total of ten sites. It forms part of an ongoing research programme towards improving the performance of pothole repairs. Thermal imaging technology was used to record temperatures of the patching material throughout the entire exercise, from the stage of material collection, through transportation to repair site, patch forming, and compaction. Practical complications occurring during patch repairs were also identified. It was found that depending on the weather conditions, duration of the travel and poor insulation of the transported hot asphalt mix, its temperature can drop as high as 116.6 ℃ over the period that the reinstatement team travel to the site and prepare the patch. This impacting is on the durability and perfor- mance of the executed repairs. Cold spots on the asphalt mat and temperature differentials between the new hot-fill asphalt mix and existing pavement were also identified as poorly compacted areas that were prone to premature failure. For example, over the five-minute period, the temperature at one point reduced by 33% whereas the temperatures of nearby areas decreased by 65% and 71%. A return visit to the repair sites, three months later, revealed that locations where thermal segregation was noted, during the patching opera- tion, had failed prematurely.

Simulation of particle flow in a bell-less type charging system of a blast furnace using the discrete element method

A three-dimensional model was established by the discrete element method （DEM） to analyze the flow and segregation of particles in a charging process in detail. The simulation results of the burden falling trajectory obtained by the model were compared with the industrial charging measurements to validate the applicability of the model. The flow behavior of particles from the weighing hopper to the top layer of a blast furnace and the heaping behavior were analyzed using this model. A radial segregation index （RSI） was used to evaluate the extent of the size segregation in the charging process. In addition, the influence of the chute inclination angle on the size segregation and burden profile during the charging process was investigated.

Enhancing mixing of particles by baffies in a rotating drum mixer

Baffles with shape of ＂-＂ （single baffle）, ＂＋＂ （cross-baffles with four arms） and （baffles with 6 arms） are used to enhance the mixing of particles in a rotating drum mixer. A micro-dynamics study of mixing and segregation ofa bi-disperse system of two particle sizes in the rotating drum with these three kinds of baffles is carried out using the discrete element method （DEM）. The effect of the baffles on mixing, and the mechanisms of mixing enhancement by the baffles are discussed and analyzed. Simulation results show that in an unbaffled drum mixer, particle convection, particle diffusion, and size segregation of hi- disperse particles, all play important roles in the mixing process; whereas size segregation will be largely restrained when the drum mixer has a baffle, regardless of its shape, and the degree of mixing is higher than that in an unbaffled drum mixer. The different mixing characteristics for ＂-＂ shaped baffle, ＂＋＂ baffle, and baffle are revealed by the simulation results. For ＂＋＂ or style baffles, there is an optimal size of baffles for the mixing of particles, and the ootimal mixing efficiency is higher than that for ＂-＂ baffle.