Radial and axial segregation of granular matter in a rotating cylinder: A simulation study

TL;DR

This simulation study models radial and axial segregation in a rotating granular cylinder, revealing how particle interactions and parameters influence transient or lasting segregation patterns.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed discrete particle simulation approach to study segregation phenomena, emphasizing the role of interaction modeling and parameter effects.

Findings

Segregation behavior varies with system parameters.

Radial segregation can be transient or persistent.

Axial segregation development depends on conditions.

Abstract

The phenomena of radial and axial segregation in a horizontal rotating cylinder containing a mixture of granular particles of two different species have been modeled using discrete particle simulation. Space-time plots and detailed imagery provide a comprehensive description of what occurs in the system. As is the case experimentally, the nature of the segregation depends on the parameters defining the problem; the radial component of the segregation may be transient or long-lasting, and the axial component may or may not develop. Simulations displaying the different kinds of behavior are described and the particle dynamics associated with the axially segregated state examined. The importance of an appropriate choice of interaction for representing the effective friction force is demonstrated.