DEM simulation of granular segregation in two-compartment system under zero gravity

TL;DR

This study uses DEM simulation to analyze granular segregation in a two-compartment system under zero gravity, revealing key dependencies on system parameters and providing insights for microgravity experiments.

Contribution

It introduces a virtual window method to simulate granular segregation in zero gravity and investigates parameter effects on segregation and waiting time, advancing understanding of granular behavior in microgravity.

Findings

Segregation exists in zero gravity and is independent of excitation strength.

Waiting time decreases with increasing excitation strength.

Segregation and waiting time depend on system parameters like particle number and window position.

Abstract

In this paper, granular segregation in a two-compartment cell in zero gravity is studied numerically by DEM simulation. In the simulation using a virtual window method we find a non-monotonic flux, a function which governs the segregation. A parameter is used to quantify the segregation. The effect of three parameters: the total number of particles N, the excitation strength {\Gamma}, and the position of the window coupling the two compartments, on the segregation {\epsilon} and the waiting time {\tau} are investigated. It is found that the segregation observed in zero gravity exists and does not depend on the excitation strength {\Gamma}. The waiting time {\tau}, however, depends strongly on {\Gamma}: Higher the {\Gamma}, lower the waiting time {\tau}. The simulation results are important in guiding the SJ-10 satellite microgravity experiments.