Three-Dimensional Powder Segregation Structure Investigation via Gelation Experimental Methods and Eulerian Simulations

Segregation phenomenon is often observed in many particle processing operations. When granular mixtures of different properties are processed, particle segregation often occurs and causes spatial non-uniformity. Industrial particle processing includes particle mixing, transportation, vibrating, drying, etc… The segregation phenomenon seriously reduces the quality of the products. Therefore, the investigation of particle segregation is of practical importance for long time. In this three-year project, both experimental and simulation works are to be carried out. In the project first year, agar solution will be used to “freeze” the segregation structures in a specially designed rotating drum. The frozen bed will be sliced. The segregation patterns at different depths of the bed will be analyzed and the three-dimensional segregation structure will be constructed. The influence of the operating parameters and the physical properties of the particles on the 3D segregation structure will be studied. In the second year, the Continuum Eulerian Approach (CEA) will be applied to simulation particle motion/segregation in the rotating drum. By coupling with the kinetic theory of granular flow, it is expected that CEA model can successfully simulate the segregation phenomena in the commercial scale devices. In the last year of the project, the end-wall shearing experiments are to be conducted to verify the dynamic segregation simulation results obtained in the second year. The importance of the end-wall induced convection mechanism on the segregation evolution will also be investigated.

Project ID:PB9907-12648
External Project ID:NSC99-2221-E182-003