Testing the robustness of particle-based separation models for the magnetic separation of a complex skarn ore

Physical separation processes are best understood in terms of the behaviour of individual ore particles.Yet,while different empirical particle-based separation modelling approaches have been developed,their predictive performance has never been tested under variable process conditions.Here,we investigated the predictive performance of a state-of-the-art particle-based separation model under variable feed composition for a laboratory-scale magnetic separation of a skarn ore.Two scenarios were investigated:one in which the mass flow of the different processing streams could be measured and one in which it had to be estimated from data.In both scenarios,the predictive models were sufficiently general to predict the process outcomes of new samples of variable composition.Nevertheless,the scenario in which mass flow could be measured was4%more precise in predicting mass balances.The process behaviour of minerals present at concentrations above 0.1%by weight could be accurately predicted.Our findings indicate the potential use of this method to minimize the costs of metallurgical testwork while providing in-depth understanding of the recovery behaviour of individual ore particles.Moreover,the method may be used to establish powerful tools to forecast mineral recoveries for partly new ore types at a running mining operation.

An overview of particle-based numerical manifold method and its application to dynamic rock fracturing

This review summarizes the development of particle-based numerical manifold method(PNMM)and its applications to rock dynamics.The fundamental principle of numerical manifold method(NMM)is first briefly introduced.Then,the history of the newly developed PNMM is given.Basic idea of PNMM and its simulation procedure are presented.Considering that PNMM could be regarded as an NMM-based model,a comparison of PNMM and NMM is discussed from several points of view in this paper.Besides,accomplished applications of PNMM to the dynamic rock fracturing are also reviewed.Finally,some recommendations are provided for the future work of PNMM.

PARTICLE-BASED TRANSPARENT FUSED VISUALIZATION APPLIED TO MEDICAL VOLUME DATA

This paper proposes a method to create 3D fusion images,such as volume–volume,volume–surface,and surface–surface fusion.Our method is based on the particle-based rendering,which uses tiny particles as rendering primitives.The method can create natural and comprehensible 3D fusion images simply by merging particles prepared for each element to be fused.Moreover,the method does not require particle sorting along the line of sight to realize right depth feel.We apply our method to realize comprehensible visualization of medical volume data.

Parameterization and Explicit Modeling of Cloud Microphysics:Approaches, Challenges, and Future Directions

Cloud microphysical processes occur at the smallest end of scales among cloud-related processes and thus must be parameterized not only in large-scale global circulation models(GCMs)but also in various higher-resolution limited-area models such as cloud-resolving models(CRMs)and large-eddy simulation(LES)models.Instead of giving a comprehensive review of existing microphysical parameterizations that have been developed over the years,this study concentrates purposely on several topics that we believe are understudied but hold great potential for further advancing bulk microphysics parameterizations:multi-moment bulk microphysics parameterizations and the role of the spectral shape of hydrometeor size distributions;discrete vs“continuous”representation of hydrometeor types;turbulence-microphysics interactions including turbulent entrainment-mixing processes and stochastic condensation;theoretical foundations for the mathematical expressions used to describe hydrometeor size distributions and hydrometeor morphology;and approaches for developing bulk microphysics parameterizations.Also presented are the spectral bin scheme and particle-based scheme(especially,super-droplet method)for representing explicit microphysics.Their advantages and disadvantages are elucidated for constructing cloud models with detailed microphysics that are essential to developing processes understanding and bulk microphysics parameterizations.Particle-resolved direct numerical simulation(DNS)models are described as an emerging technique to investigate turbulence-microphysics interactions at the most fundamental level by tracking individual particles and resolving the smallest turbulent eddies in turbulent clouds.Outstanding challenges and future research directions are explored as well.

On the impact of grinding conditions in the flotation of semi-soluble salt-type mineral-containing ores driven by surface or particle geometry effects?

Grinding and flotation processes are often studied independently, despite the well-established grinding influence on flotation performance, which affects not only particle size and thus liberation but also shape and leads to complex changes in pulp chemistry affecting the particle surface properties relevant for selective bubble attachment. Yet, no study jointly investigated these possible causes and many are limited to single mineral flotation. We relate grinding conditions to changes in pulp chemistry and particle surface properties and assess their impact on upgrading. We studied three non-sulfide ores with different feed grades and valuables: scheelite, apatite, and fluorite. These were dry-, wet-, and wet conditionedground before flotation in a laboratory mechanical cell. Results were evaluated with bulk-and particle-specific methodologies. The selectivity of the process is higher after dry grinding for the fluorite and apatite ores and irrelevant for the scheelite ore. Variations in flotation kinetics of individual particles associated to their size and shape are not sufficient to explain these results. The higher concentration of Ca2+and Mg2+observed in the pulp after wet grinding, altering particle surface properties, better explains the phenomenon. Additionally, we demonstrate how particle shape impacts are system specific and related to both entrainment and true flotation.

基于CFD粒子法的波能转换装置水动力模拟（英文）

Wave energy from the ocean is currently a very popular renewable energy, and its development has primarily focused on the shape of the wave energy converter(WEC) used to efficiently convert wave energy into electrical energy. However, the free surface ocean wave problem is very complex and the parameters affecting WEC behavior are difficult to understand. In this paper, based on the Lattice-Boltzmann method, we present particle-based CFD simulation results for the pivoted-type WEC that exhibits both vertical and horizontal motions. In this method, the computation domain need not be a mesh and complex geometry is not a limiting factor. Using a free-surface turbulence model, we simulated the fluid-structure interaction. We detail our simulation results, which show good agreement with those in the literature.

Effects of time-varying liquid bridge forces on rheological properties,and resulting extrudability and constructability of three-dimensional printing mortar

Extrudability and constructability are two important,yet contradictory issues pertaining to the construction of three-dimensional(3D)printing concrete.Extrudability is easily achieved when 3D printing cement mortar has a high water content and low cohesion,but the printed structure is easily collapsible.However,a 3D printing cement mortar with a low water content and high cohesion has a relatively stable printed structure although the cement mortar might not be extrudable.This study proposes a particle-based method to simulate 3D printing mortar extrusion and construction as an overall planning tool for building design.First,a discrete element model with time-varying liquid bridge forces is developed to investigate the microscopic effects of these forces on global rheological properties.Next,a series of numerical simulations relevant to 3D printable mortar extrudability and constructability are carried out.The study demonstrates that the effects of time-varying liquid bridge forces on rheological properties and the resulting extrudability and constructability of 3D printing mortar are considerable.Furthermore,an optimized region that satisfies both the extrusion and construction requirements is provided for 3D printing industry as a reference.

A numerical method to predict the membrane tension distribution of spreading cells based on the reconstruction of focal adhesions

Changes in membrane tension significantly affect the physiological functions of cells in various ways.However,directly measuring the spatial distribution of membrane tension remains an ongoing issue.In this study,an algorithm is proposed to determine the membrane tension inversely by executing a particle-based method and searching for the minimum deformation energy based on the cell images and focal adhesions.A standard spreading cell model is established using 3D reconstructions with images from structured illumination microscopy as the reference cell shape.The membrane tension distribution,forces across focal adhesions,and profile of the spread cell are obtained using this method,until the cell deformation energy function optimization converges.Qualitative and quantitative comparisons with previous experimental results validated the reliability of this method.The results show that in the standard spreading cell model,the membrane tension decreases from the bottom to the top of the membrane.This method can be applied to predict the membrane tension distribution of cells freely spreading into different shapes,which could improve the quantitative analysis of cellular membrane tension in various studies for cell mechanics.