(120e) Packing of Elongated Particles: DEM Simulations and Experiments

Packing of Elongated Particles: DEM Simulations and Experiments

Henna Tangri^{a, 1}, Yu Guo ^a and Prof. Jennifer S. Curtis ^a

^a Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611 USA

Abstract:

For the achievement of an efficient packing, minimizing the space of occupation and maximizing the strength of packing, it is important to understand the underlying mechanisms. The behavior of identical elongated cylindrical particles is studied via Discrete Element Method (DEM) simulations and complementary experiments. Two types of particles are employed in the DEM simulations: glued sphere elongated cylindrical particles, which are formed by rigidly connecting identical spheres, and true cylindrical particles. The effects of coefficient of friction, coefficient of restitution, drop height, fill height, packing method, deposition intensity, particle size to container size ratio, and the number of glued spheres forming the cylindrical particle are explored.  In addition, two novel and accurate methods of packing density analysis - (i) a center of particle method and (ii) a top grid analysis method - are also introduced.  It is found that the packing density increases with coefficient of restitution, drop height and number of constituent spheres and decreases with coefficient of friction and Young’s modulus.  In addition, the coordination number increases with coefficient of restitution and drop height and decreases with coefficient of friction.  The most efficient packing scheme is pouring particles over the whole cross-section although deposition intensity and wall effects also play a role in choosing the most efficient packing scheme.

[1] Corresponding author: hennatangri@gmail.com