# 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.

## Key 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.

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/1701.02484