Experiments and Simulations of Pyramidal Particle Flows in Rotating Drums
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The study of granular materials in a rotating drum is essential for understanding particle flow behavior in various industrial processes. Predicting the behavior of granular materials during these processes remains challenging, especially for non-spherical grains. This research, based on a combined experimental and modelling approach, focuses on the dynamic flow of well-calibrated pyramidal particles in a rotating drum. Experimentally, we vary two crucial process parameters: drum width and rotation speed, analyzing their influence on flow regimes and the dynamic angle of the free surface. Image analysis techniques are used to gather information on flow patterns and to measure the free surface angles. The results show a strong dependence of flow behavior on the drum’s width, with variations in rotation speed significantly affecting the stability and movement of the granular bed. Numerically, we reproduce the experiments using a Discrete Element Method (DEM) code, Rockable, which enables the simulation of sphero-polyhedral particles. We first investigate the effect of contact friction and compare the results with experimental data. Then, we explore the same parametric space to gain insight into possible size effects in different flow regimes. By combining the Discrete Element Method with experimental techniques, this research provides valuable insights into the rheology of granular systems, contributing to the optimization of processes involving complex particle shapes.