Numerical simulation of particle flow behavior in a screw conveyor using the discrete element method--颗粒学报PARTICUOLOGY

Wang, S., Li, H., Tian, R., Wang, R., Wang, X., Sun, Q., & Fan, J. (2019). Numerical simulation of particle flow behavior in a screw conveyor using the discrete element method. Particuology, 43, 137-148. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.partic.2018.01.016

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

Shuyan Wang ^*, Haolong Li, Ruichao Tian, Ruichen Wang, Xu Wang, Qiji Sun, Jiawei Fan

School of Petroleum Engineering, Northeast Petroleum University, Daqing 163318, China

10.1016/j.partic.2018.01.016

Volume 43, April 2019, Pages 137-148

Received 29 October 2017, Revised 20 December 2017, Accepted 15 January 2018, Available online 9 July 2018, Version of Record 19 February 2019.

E-mail: wangshuyan@nepu.edu.cn

Highlights

• Particle flow behavior in a pilot-scale screw conveyor was simulated using DEM.

• Particle velocity was calculated as functions of screw rotating speed and filling level.

• High and low filling levels produced lower configurational temperatures and contact forces.

Abstract

Particle motion in a screw conveyor was simulated with 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 with 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 addition, 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.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

Screw conveyor; Discrete element method; Granular temperature; Simulation

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