DEM simulation of particle mixing in a sheared granular flow

Mixing behaviors of particles ate simulated in a sheared granular flow using differently colored but otherwise identical glass spheres, with live different bottom wall velocities. By DEM simulation, the solid fractions, velocities, velocity fluctuations and granular temperatures are measured. The mixing layer thicknesses are compared with the calculations from a simple diffusion equation using the data of apparent self-diffusion coefficients obtained from the current simulation measurements. The calculations and simulation results showed good agreements, demonstrating that the mixing process of granular materials occurred through the diffusion mechanism. (c) 2008 Chinese Society of Particuology and Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.