Transient segregation of different density granular mixtures

TL;DR

This study investigates the transient density segregation in granular flows over an inclined plane using DEM simulations and a continuum model, highlighting the effects of initial configurations and the limitations of current modeling approaches.

Contribution

The paper introduces a coupled continuum and DEM modeling framework for transient density segregation in granular flows, emphasizing the influence of initial particle arrangements.

Findings

Continuum model agrees with DEM for well-mixed and heavy-near-base configurations.

DEM reveals quick segregation instability in light-near-base configuration.

Continuum model fails to predict the instability observed in DEM simulations.

Abstract

We study time-dependent density segregation of granular mixtures flowing over an inclined plane. Discrete Element Method (DEM) simulations in a periodic box are performed for granular mixtures of same size and different density particles flowing under the influence of gravity. In addition, a continuum model is developed to solve the momentum balance equations along with species transport equation by accounting for the inter-coupling of segregation and rheology. The particle force-based density segregation theory has been used along with the $\mu-I$ rheology to predict evolution of flow properties with time for binary and multicomponent mixtures. The effect of particle arrangements on the transient evolution of flow properties for three different initial configurations is investigated using both continuum and DEM simulations. Continuum predictions for various flow properties of interest such as species concentration, velocity, pressure, and shear stress at different time instants are compared with DEM simulations. The results from the discrete and continuum models are found to be in good agreement with each other for well-mixed and heavy-near-base initial configurations. However, the continuum model is unable to predict the flow evolution for the light-near-base initial configuration. DEM simulations reveal the presence of an instability driven, quick segregation for this configuration which is not predicted by the one dimensional model and requires generalization to three dimensions.