Single Particle Fragmentation in Ultrasound Assisted Impact Comminution

TL;DR

This paper investigates how ultrasound-assisted impact influences single particle fragmentation, aiming to control fragment size distribution by manipulating shock waves during impact in a novel experimental setup.

Contribution

It introduces a new study on single sphere fragmentation under ultrasonic impact, extending previous DEM work to explore vibration effects on fragmentation behavior.

Findings

Ultrasound vibration alters shock wave propagation during impact.

Fragment size distribution can be controlled via ultrasonic energy input.

Enhanced energy transfer improves fragmentation efficiency.

Abstract

Impact fragmentation is the underlying principle of comminution milling of dry, bulk solids. Unfortunately the outcome of the fragmentation process is more or less determined by the dimensionality of the impactor and its impact velocity. Since fragmentation is dominated by interfering shock waves, manipulating traveling shock waves and adding energy to the system during its fragmentation could be a promising approach to manipulate fragment mass distributions and energy input. In a former study we explored mechanisms in impact fragmentation of spheres, using a three-dimensional Discrete Element Model (DEM). This work is focused on studying how single spheres fragment when impacted on a planar vibrating target.