Article
Engineering, Chemical
Zhijian Zuo, Shuguang Gong, Guilan Xie, Jianping Zhang
Summary: The study used discrete element method to evaluate the impact of process parameters on granular mixing performance in an intensive mixer, finding that factors such as filling ratio, impeller speed, and vessel speed have significant effects on coordination number, relative standard deviation, and relative standard deviation at a specified input work. Additionally, interactive effects were observed among filling rate, impeller speed, and vessel speed on all presented responses.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Zhijian Zuo, Shuguang Gong, Guilan Xie
Summary: The study utilized the discrete element method (DEM) to simulate the particle mixing process in an intensive mixer and investigated the impact of structural and process parameters on mixing performance and power consumption. Results indicated that mixing performance and energy efficiency improve with decreasing impeller offset, while a decrease in filling level also enhances energy efficiency and mixing performance.
CHINESE JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Rafael R. Heilbuth, Gisele M. Souza, Dyrney A. Santos, Rodolfo J. Brandao, Marcos A. S. Barrozo, Claudio R. Duarte
Summary: A systematic investigation was conducted to study the particle mixing behavior in a flighted rotary drum using experiments and numerical simulations. The effects of the number of flights, flight height, and drum filling degree on mixing performance were analyzed. The study contributes to a better understanding of particle mixture dynamics in a flighted rotary drum.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Nicolin Govender, Rafal Kobylka, Johannes Khinast
Summary: The blending of granular materials with different morphologies in industrial processes is unpredictable. Discrete element method simulations using polyhedral particles were used to study the effect of cohesion and particle shape in a rotating drum. Results showed that symmetric polyhedral shapes had the best mixing, while irregular shapes had the worst. Mixing improved with increasing cohesive particle size. Equipment geometry and rotation speed also significantly affected mixing.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Zhijian Zuo, Jiajie Wang, Xu Wu, Shuguang Gong, Jianping Zhang, Xingfu Lu
Summary: This study explores a novel split drum to drive the size-induced axial segregation of particles. DEM simulations were conducted to investigate the particle dynamic and segregation performance, and the influence of drum speed and the speed ratio between two sub-drums was analyzed. The experimental results demonstrate that particles in the split drum exhibit faster and better axial segregation, with small particles tending to concentrate near the split.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Xiangwu Xiao, Yingying Li, Ruitao Peng, Jiangxiong Gao, Congfang Hu
Summary: In this study, the appropriate selection of physical and contact parameters in the mixing processes of gravel materials using the discrete element method was investigated. Physical parameters of irregular gravel were obtained through experiments, and contact parameters were determined using the response surface method. The mixing processes of gravel materials in a rotating drum with different cylindrical rod structures were simulated, and the number of contacts between particles was used to characterize the mixing uniformity. The results showed that cylindrical rods significantly improved mixing uniformity, with the best effect observed when the distance between cylindrical rods was twice the maximum particle size.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
A. Atxutegi, P. Kieckhefen, S. Pietsch-Braune, R. Aguado, J. Bilbao, S. Heinrich, M. Olazar
Summary: This study investigates the effect of draft tubes and fountain confiners on the gas and solids mixing behavior in conical spouted beds. The results show that these devices significantly improve the gas residence time and particle cycle time distributions, especially when high inlet gas flow rates are desired.
ADVANCED POWDER TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Musango Lungu, John Siame, Lloyd Mukosha
Summary: This study validates a detailed coarse-grained CFD-DEM model in the open-source code MFIX. The validation metrics include fluidization behavior, minimum fluidization velocity, averaged pressure drop, mean particle velocity, and rms particle velocity. The choice of spring constant impacts fluidization dynamics, and the Tang et al. (2015) drag correlation performs well at higher velocities. The coarse-grained model predicts a lower minimum fluidization velocity, and the error in average pressure drop reduces with increasing statistical weight at low gas velocities. The mean particle velocity profiles show no significant differences between the coarse-grained and conventional CFD-DEM models, while the rms profiles decrease with increasing statistical weight. Additionally, there is a gain in wall clock time for completing a case using the coarse-grained model.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Zhijian Zuo, Shuguang Gong, Guilan Xie, Jianping Zhang
Summary: DEM simulations were used to study binary mixing of particles with different densities, revealing that residence time increases with particle density and mean velocity fluctuation increases with impeller speed. Moreover, trajectory radius and vertical movement in the impeller influence area also increase with impeller speed.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Yoshihiro Kosaku, Yuki Tsunazawa, Chiharu Tokoro
Summary: Mixing is a crucial process in manufacturing, and the coarse grain model can effectively reduce computational costs. This study found the upper limit of the coarse-grained ratio to be five times through comparisons between experiments and simulations.
ADVANCED POWDER TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Chow-Shing Shin, Patrice L. Baldeck, Yung-Mau Nie, Yi-Hsiung Lee, Zheng-Da Lin, Chia-Chin Chiang, Chih-Lang Lin
Summary: A single 3D multi-manifold micromixer composed of a double Archimedes screw was developed for rapidly mixing within a short distance; Numerical simulations showed satisfactory mixing efficiency can be achieved at a distance of approximately twice the microchannel width; Experimental demonstration by an ASM fabricated by two-photon stereolithography showed good agreement with simulation findings.
JOURNAL OF THE TAIWAN INSTITUTE OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Zhijian Zuo, Xintao Chen, Shuguang Gong, Guilan Xie
Summary: DEM simulations were used to study the mixing performance of particles with different densities in a bladed mixer. It was found that the decrease in density ratio and filling level can improve mixing performance, while an increase in blade speed can also improve mixing performance.
ADVANCED POWDER TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Nicolin Govender
Summary: This paper utilizes the advances in GPU computing via the Blaze-DEM code to study the effect of particle shape on heat transfer in a rotating drum. The results show that shape irregularity has the greatest impact on heat conduction, with non-symmetric shapes exhibiting better heat transfer performance. Furthermore, there is a linear trend of system temperature with both RPM and fill level.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Lei Xie, Shuyan Wang, Baoli Shao, Xi Chen, Nuo Ding, Yimei Ma
Summary: This paper applies the Discrete Element Method (DEM) to study the radial mixing and segregation of ellipsoidal particles with different densities in a rotating drum. The results show that light particles tend to accumulate at the periphery of the granular bed, while heavy particles concentrate in the center area. Particle shape affects collision probability and strength, and ellipsoidal particles require more energy for movement.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING RESEARCH & DESIGN
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Elaheh Ardalani, Bereket Yohannes, William G. Borghard, Benjamin J. Glasser, Alberto M. Cuitino
Summary: Rotary drums with baffles/flights are essential for the thermal treatment of granular materials. Simulations and experiments were conducted to determine the optimal conditions for adding baffles and develop a model to predict heating time.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Ruihuan Cai, Lei Xu, Jinyang Zheng, Yongzhi Zhao
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Ruihuan Cai, Zhichao Hou, Yongzhi Zhao
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Ruihuan Cai, Hongyi Xiao, Ivan C. Christov, Yongzhi Zhao
Summary: The diffusion coefficient of nonspherical particles in shear flow was studied through discrete element method simulations. It was found that the particle aspect ratio strongly affects the diffusion coefficient by influencing particle orientation and alignment. A scaling law for the diffusion coefficient perpendicular to the flow direction was developed, which will be useful in developing continuum transport models for applications.
Article
Physics, Fluids & Plasmas
Ruihuan Cai, Hongyi Xiao, Jinyang Zheng, Yongzhi Zhao
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Ri Zhang, Shasha Zhang, Mengyan Ding
Summary: A thin liquid film method is proposed to evaluate sand erosion in annular flow. This method considers the direct interaction between the liquid film and gas core, as well as the entrainment and deposition of droplets. The erosion rate is calculated by considering the effects of liquid entrainment and particle velocity decay. The method is fully verified by comparing with experimental data.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Yu Suo, Xianheng Su, Wenyuan He, Xiaofei Fu, Zhejun Pan
Summary: This research investigates the mechanical properties of sandstone-shale composite through orthogonal experimental method and discrete element simulation. The results show that different lithologies and thickness ratios can affect the strength and fracture mode of the composite rock samples.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Maurizio Troiano, Andrea El Hassanin, Roberto Solimene, Alessia Teresa Silvestri, Fabrizio Scala, Antonino Squillace, Piero Salatino
Summary: This study investigates the potential of Fluidized Bed Finishing (FBF) for square flat AlSi10Mg specimens manufactured via Laser-Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF) additive manufacturing technology. The results show that good finishing can be achieved using rotation-assisted tests, with a maximum reduction of surface roughness by 67%. Steel particles are found to be the most effective bed material.
Review
Engineering, Chemical
Ningbo Song, Wanzhong Yin, Jin Yao
Summary: Seawater's dissolved salts and minerals have various effects on the flotation process, including influencing the characteristics and behavior of flotation factors, as well as affecting the surface of sulfide minerals. In most cases, seawater has adverse effects on the flotation of sulfide minerals, but these effects can be mitigated by adjusting the reagents.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Kaiqiao Wu, Shuxian Jiang, Victor Francia, Marc-Olivier Coppens
Summary: In rectangular and cylindrical annular fluidized beds, pulsating gas flow can create regular bubble patterns, overcoming challenges seen in conventional units. This study provides new opportunities for modularization of fluidized bed operations.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Shuo Li, Huili Zhang, Jan Baeyens, Miao Yang, Zehao Li, Yimin Deng
Summary: The paper assesses the behavior of cohesive Geldart C-type particles when fluidized by air with the aid of vibration. It determines that mechanical vibration is a simple and effective method to improve the fluidity of cohesive particles during fluidization.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Zhenfei Feng, Qingyuan Zhang, Shanpan Liang, Zhenzhou Li, Fangwen Guo, Jinxin Zhang, Ding Yuan
Summary: A new micro/mini-channel heat sink (MCHS) with a combined structure of longitudinal and transverse vortex generators is designed, using Al2O3 nanofluid as the working medium. The study explores the effects of transverse vortex generator shape and longitudinal vortex generator angle on the hydraulic and thermal characteristics, comprehensive performance, entropy generation, and exergy efficiency. The results show that the triangular transverse vortex generator improves the comprehensive performance and exergy efficiency. Combined with the longitudinal vortex generator, the MCHS achieves the best comprehensive performance, entropy generation, and exergy efficiency when the Reynolds number is 742.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Kostas Giannis, Christoph Thon, Guoqing Yang, Arno Kwade, Carsten Schilde
Summary: This study presents a 3D convolutional neural network (3D-CNN) methodology for generating realistic 3D models of particles. The method trains on 2D projections of particle images to predict their 3D shapes, and evaluates the accuracy of the predictions using Fourier shape descriptors (FSDs). This methodology has wide applications in particle shape analysis.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Zheng-qing Zhou, Lu-jia Chai, Yu-long Zhang, Ya-bin Wang, Ze-chen Du, Tian-yi Wang, Yu-zhe Liu
Summary: The dynamic oxidation and shell-breaking processes of aluminum nanoparticles (ANPs) during heating were studied using in situ transmission electron microscopy. The results revealed that the changes in shell thickness can be divided into three stages, and the active aluminum content of ANP decreased before shell-breaking.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Fulei Chen, Huaqing Ma, Zihan Liu, Lianyong Zhou, Yongzhi Zhao
Summary: A particle breakage model based on the particle replacement scheme, using the polyhedral model to describe particles, is proposed in this work to accurately describe the breakage of a large number of particles. Additionally, a fast-cutting algorithm is proposed to reproduce the size distribution of progeny particles determined by the breakage model. The validation and simulation results show satisfactory accuracy, efficiency, and stability of the algorithm.
Review
Engineering, Chemical
Matteo Errigo, Christopher Windows-Yule, Massimiliano Materazzi, Dominik Werner, Paola Lettieri
Summary: Gas-solid fluidized-bed systems have advantages in terms of chemical reaction efficiency and temperature control, making them widely used in industrial applications. However, the design, scale-up, and optimization of these complex units are limited by the lack of deep physical understanding. Non-invasive and non-intrusive diagnostic techniques provide a way for researchers to study these systems without affecting the flow field or directly contacting the medium under study.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Saeed Fateh, Mohammad Behshad Shafii, Mohammad Najafi, Cyrus Aghanajafi
Summary: Applying a magnetic field to ferrofluids alters their flow characteristics and enhances heat transfer. Through visualization and quantitative investigation, it is found that the magnetic field influences the flow patterns and velocity profiles, improving fluid mixing and vorticity magnitude.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Lei Gao, Bingbing Wei, Xiaochuan Hu, Zaifeng Yao, Yiwen Fang, Xuejian Gao
Summary: In this study, a numerical model of sand triaxial test was established using discrete element software PFC3D, and an indoor triaxial test was conducted to calibrate the numerical model. The influence of microscopic parameters on the macroscopic mechanical response of sand was analyzed. The results showed that the friction coefficient had the greatest impact on the peak strength and residual strength of the sand's stress-strain curve, and it was positively correlated. The normal tangential stiffness ratio was negatively correlated, while the porosity and boundary flexibility stiffness had minimal influence on it.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Xuan Liu, Jie Gong, Kai Jiang, Xiaojuan Lai, Yu Tian, Kang Zhang
Summary: This study aimed to improve the performance of lignite coal water slurries (CWSs) by synthesizing a series of three-arm amphiphilic block copolymers. By controlling the relative molecular weight, hydrophilic/hydrophobic ratio, and ionic group content, the apparent viscosity of CWSs was significantly reduced and the static stability was improved. Thermogravimetric testing and XPS analysis were conducted to reveal the mechanism behind the improved performance.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Lanka Dinushke Weerasiri, Daniel Fabijanic, Subrat Das
Summary: Fluidization at low pressure offers significant benefits for the fine chemical industry. This study investigates the behavior of bubbles and bed expansion under low pressure conditions. It is found that lower pressure leads to larger bubbles, increased bubble quantity, and higher aspect ratio. The predictability is affected by the inhomogeneous fluidization, but low pressure fluidization can generate similar bubble sizes with lower fluidizing mass compared to atmospheric pressure.
