Modeling granular material segregation using a combined finite element method and advection-diffusion-segregation equation model

TL;DR

This paper introduces a multi-scale modeling approach combining finite element simulations with advection-diffusion-segregation equations to predict granular material segregation in industrial equipment, achieving good accuracy and scalability.

Contribution

It presents a novel integrated modeling framework that couples bulk flow simulations with particle-level segregation correlations for improved prediction.

Findings

Accurately predicts segregation patterns in rotating drums and hoppers.

Demonstrates good agreement with experimental and DEM data.

Scalable to large industrial systems.

Abstract

A two-dimensional, transient, multi-scale modeling approach is presented for predicting the magnitude and rate of percolation segregation for binary mixtures of granular material in a rotating drum and conical hopper. The model utilizes finite element method simulations to determine the bulk-level granular velocity field, which is then combined with particle-level diffusion and segregation correlations using the advection-diffusion-segregation equation. The utility of this modelling approach is demonstrated by predicting segregation patterns in a rotating drum and during the discharge of conical hoppers with different geometries. The model exhibits good quantitative accuracy in predicting DEM and experimental segregation data reported in the literature for cohesionless granular materials. Moreover, since the numerical approach does not directly model individual particles, it is expected to scale well to systems of industrial scale.