Simulated three-component granular segregation in a rotating drum

TL;DR

This study uses discrete particle simulations to explore three-component granular segregation in a rotating drum, revealing axial band formation, radial segregation, and band coarsening, aligning with experimental observations.

Contribution

It introduces a simulation model for three-component granular segregation, extending previous two-component studies to more complex mixtures.

Findings

Axial band formation with medium particles between big and small

Radial segregation with small particles concentrated centrally

Band merging leads to pattern coarsening over time

Abstract

Discrete particle simulations are used to model segregation in granular mixtures of three different particle species in a horizontal rotating drum. Axial band formation is observed, with medium-size particles tending to be located between alternating bands of big and small particles. Partial radial segregation also appears; it precedes the axial segregation and is characterized by an inner core region richer in small particles. Axial bands are seen to merge during the long simulation runs, leading to a coarsening of the band pattern; the relocation of particles involved in one such merging event is examined. Overall, the behavior is similar to experiment and represents a generalization of what occurs in the simpler two-component mixture.