Compressive strength of an unsaturated granular material during cementation

The cohesive behavior of unsaturated granular materials is due to the presence of cohesive bonds between grains. These bonds can have various physico-chemical characteristics and may evolve with environmental conditions. We study the case of a granular material partially saturated by an aqueous solution. The bonds are thus initially of capillary type and the mechanical strength is weak. At low relative humidity, the phase change of water involves crystallization of the solute at the contact points between grains, generating thus solid bonds. The mechanical strength of the material is then enhanced. An experimental study of the evolution of the mechanical strength during crystallization of the solute shows clearly the transition from capillary regime to cemented regime. This transition is not correlated with the mass of the crystallized solute, but rather with the residual degree of saturation. This behavior is analyzed here in the light of discrete element simulations. We introduce a local cohesion law that accounts for transition from capillary to cemented bonding. This law is formulated in terms of the degree of crystallization as a result of the evaporation of water at the boundary of the sample. The cohesion of the packing is initially of capillary type. A crystallization front then spreads from the sample boundaries to the center of the sample, and the strength increases as a result. Uniaxial compression allows us to determine the strength at different times. The numerical strength agrees well with the experimental data, and reveals strength enhancement as the solute crystallizes, as well as the transition from capillary to cementation regime.     

稠密气固两相流的流场实验显示和粒化温度模型

在水平激波管中,研究激波与堆积粉尘的相互作用,并通过带示踪粒子的X射线和阴影摄影,记录堆积粉尘内外流场的波系结构.引入“粒化温度”,基于稠密气体分子动力学的思路导出堆积粉尘的守恒方程和本构方程,利用AUSM+格式对激波与堆积粉尘相互作用现象进行了数值模拟.计算结果与实验结果基本相符.     

Numerical model for the computation of permeability of a cemented granular material

We present a 3D model designed to compute permeability in a cemented polydisperse granular material composed of spherical grains. A non-cohesive granular deposit is constructed by means of the Discrete Element Method (DEM) then cement is deposited on grains using three simple models. Finally the solid sample is subjected to an upward hydraulic gradient in order to measure permeability. The fluid flow through the connected sample pores is modeled using the Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM). The computed permeability coefficients are in good agreement with the existing classical values. The evolution of permeability with the cement deposit growth is studied for the three proposed cementation models.     

Three dimensional discrete element modeling of granular media under cyclic constant volume loading: A micromechanical perspective

Discrete element modeling is employed to investigate the micromechanics of two granular assemblies subjected to constant-volume cyclic loading. For this purpose, two assemblies of spherical particles are modeled at the same confining pressure but with two different void ratios. The cyclic behaviors of the assemblies are inspected and the micromechanical parameters and their variations during cyclic loading are carefully observed and analyzed. The evolution of contact force networks with the progression of the loading cycles confirms that the contact force networks are hysteretic and their formation depends on the previous strain conditions of the assemblies. The distributions of the contact normals and their normal forces are also investigated to obtain a quantitative insight of the changes in the contact force networks. The probability distributions of the normal and tangential forces during cyclic loading are similar to the results of previous experimental studies that were conducted on two-dimensional specimens of granular materials. In addition, variations of the fabric tensors, which were calculated for strong contacts, are studied to trace the changes of the structural anisotropy of the specimens. The results suggest that the structural anisotropy of the specimens increases dramatically when they approach the state of liquefaction and that the degree of anisotropy is more profound in the strong contacts. Finally, the displacements of the particles during specific loading cycles are calculated to determine the relation between the movements of the particles and the changes in the macro-scale behavior of the two assemblies. The results of this study elaborate the origin of liquefaction phenomena with respect to the microstructure of the granular soils, showing the role of different mode of contacts failure in micro-scale (sliding and rolling) on the overall observed behavior of granular soils with two different relative densities, moreover the importance of strong and weak contacts in cyclic constant-volume loading of the media. It also emphasizes on the variation of structural anisotropy in undrained cyclic loading of granular media and its relationship with common soil behavior in macro-scale during liquefaction failure.     

颗粒移动床内不稳定运动的计算颗粒动力学模拟

采用考虑滚动摩擦的三方程离散单元法（DEM）模型对侧开孔的移动床中的颗粒流动进行了数值研究。结果表明,计算颗粒动力学(CGD)方法可对复杂颗粒系统内颗粒的运动行为进行准确的预测,包括时均速度场和脉动速度场。讨论了模型中颗粒摩擦参数的重要影响,并对颗粒流动表现出的间歇现象进行了分析。颗粒流动与流体流动有相似之处,都存在随机的脉动,但颗粒流的随机脉动机理与流体中的湍流机理有很大不同,颗粒流动会表现出很强的不连续性。     

Mixing characteristics of wet granular matter in a bladed mixer

We performed numerical simulations of dry and wet granular flow inside a four-bladed mixer using the discrete element method (DEM). A capillary force model was incorporated to mimic the complex effects of pendular liquid bridges on particle flow. The simulations are able to capture the main features of granular flow, which is substantiated by the comparison of our results with experimental data.It was found that mean and fluctuating velocity fields for wet and dry particles differ significantly from each other. Our results indicate a strong increase in heap formation for wet particles and hence velocity fluctuations in the vertical direction become more pronounced. We observe that mixing in bladed mixers is strongly heterogeneous for wet granular matter due to the formation of different flow regimes within the mixer. The analysis of mixing quality shows that the spatial distribution of mixing intensity is influenced by the moisture content. This can lead to locally and even globally higher mixing rates for wet particles compared to dry granular matter.     

颗粒介质用机械密封热力耦合变形及摩擦磨损研究

在含有颗粒介质的工作环境中下,硬质材料配对机械密封环的热力耦合变形和摩擦磨损对机械密封的泄漏和使用寿命起着至关重要的作用。考虑动静环和颗粒介质的摩擦,试验测定了摩擦系数,建立了动静环热力耦合的有限元计算模型,研究了WC-Co硬质合金和无压烧结碳化硅（SSiC）陶瓷两种硬质材料密封的温度场和端面变形规律,分析了不同工况下的密封间隙变化规律。试验测试分析了密封环温度、磨损前后的泄漏及表面粗糙度,讨论了端面的磨损机理,验证了计算模型的准确性。结果表明：考虑动环磨粒摩擦热的有限元模型能准确地预测密封的温度和端面变形;耦合作用下动静环端面呈现外径脱离、内径贴合的变形,且变形差异程度随压差和转速的增大而加剧;变形导致端面磨痕分布不均匀,内径磨痕较严重。WC-Co硬质合金配对密封环的端面变形小、泄漏量小,高硬度WC颗粒对Co基体能产生很好的“阴影效应”,具有良好的耐磨粒磨损性能。SSiC陶瓷材料韧性差,易产生片状磨屑,形成过渡型磨粒磨损,材料耐磨性较差,泄漏量增加明显。在磨粒工况下,WC-Co硬质合金机械密封具有泄漏小、耐磨性强的特点。研究结果为颗粒介质中机械密封的材料应用及设计优化提供了参考。     

Experimental investigation of heat generation during the mixing of granular materials using an overhead stirrer

Bladed mixers are commonly used for processing granular materials, requiring significant mechanical energy for optimal blending. During this process, heat is generated due to dissipated mechanical energy within the granular medium. However, our understanding of heat generation mechanisms without external thermal loads is limited. This article investigates heat generation by monitoring temperature changes in granular beds mixed using an overhead stirrer. First-order kinetic equations are employed to extrapolate experimental data to a thermal equilibrium where heat generation and loss rates are balanced. Lead, steel, and glass particles are utilized under different operating conditions. Notably, metallic particles exhibit faster heating due to their lower heat capacity. Increasing rotation speed, fill ratio, and particle size result in greater temperature rises. Additionally, flat blades generate more heat compared to tilted blades. Through dimensional analysis, the experimental data are collapsed into linear curves that correlate system power consumption and granular bed temperature with operating conditions.     

含竖直线热源松散颗粒物料的传热特性

基于Brinkman扩展达西模型,采用直角坐标系下的压力与速度耦合SIMPLE算法,对竖直线热源下松散颗粒的物料传热特性进行了数值模拟. 结果表明,竖直线热源作用下的松散颗粒物料中存在明显对流换热效应,且与粒度大小和空隙率无明显相关性. 热源表面平均Nusselt数Nuavg随瑞利数Ra增大呈线性增加趋势,而热源表面局部Nusselt数NuR与Ra之间的关系较复杂,但除热源表面顶端位置外,其余位置均可由关联式NuR=aRa2+bRa+c表示. 为降低对流换热的影响,利用热源表面温升数据测算试样导热系数时(交叉热线法),实验时间不宜超过120 s;而基于平行热线法测热物性参数,温度测点宜布置在试样筒中下部位置处(Y<0.33). 利用本模型计算的典型测点温升与实测结果较吻合,而利用热传导模型计算的部分测点温升与实测值最大偏差达17℃,中下部区域则较小.     

ELECTROKINETIC SOIL PROCESSING COMPLICATING FEATURES OF ELECTROKINETIC REMEDIATION OF SOILS AND SLURRIES: SATURATION EFFECTS AND THE ROLE OF THE CATHODE ELECTROLYSIS.

Electrokinetic soil processing is an emerging technology for decontamination of certain radionuclides, heavy metals, or organic species from soils or slurries. Tests reveal that the process efficiencies in partially saturated kaolinite samples (without contaminants) are high, since water supplied at the anode eventually flushed across the specimens and saturated the deposits. Consolidation settlements are expected in the vicinity of anodes in fine-grained soils, even when both electrodes allow ingess or egress of the water. Uranyl ion at 1000 pCi/g could be effectively removed from kaolinite but the removal efficiency decreased close to the cathode due to the high pH in this region. A yellow uranium hydroxide precipitate was collected at the cathode. Thorium ion, even at 300 pCi/g, could not be efficiently removed throughout the cell because of its high adsorptive capacity, facile hydrolysis, and the precipitation of insoluble hydroxide. Methods are required to prevent hydroxide ion formation by the cathode reduction of water and thus enable extraction of these metal species in soluble forms.     

颗粒流拟流体的本构关系

针对慢速密集颗粒流的特点,采用拟流体的方法,类比具有屈服应力的非牛顿流体,给出了适用于慢速密集颗粒流的本构方程表达形式,建立了用粗糙底面斜槽测量颗粒流当量粘性的数学模型,并以小麦颗粒为例,通过粗糙底面斜槽实验得出了小麦颗粒流的屈服应力及其本构方程的关键系数. 将实验得出的小麦颗粒流本构关系系数作为其当量粘性的特征值对斜面流进行解析计算,体积流量的模型预测值与实验值的相对误差在15%以内.     

Partial slip boundary conditions for collisional granular flows at flat frictional walls

We derive new boundary conditions (BCs) for collisional granular flows of spheres at flat frictional walls. A new theory is proposed for the solids stress tensor, translational and rotational energy dissipation rate per unit area and fluxes of translational and rotational fluctuation energy. In the theory we distinguish between sliding and sticking collisions and include particle rotation. The predictions are compared with literature results obtained from a discrete particle model evaluated at a given ratio of rotational to translational granular temperature. We find that the new theory is in better agreement with the observed stress ratios and heat fluxes than previous kinetic theory predictions. Finally, we carry out two fluid model simulations of a bubbling fluidized bed with the new BCs, and compare the simulation results with those obtained from discrete particle simulations. The comparison reveals that the new BCs are better capable of predicting solids axial velocity profiles, solids distribution near the walls and granular temperatures. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 63: 1853–1871, 2017     

竖直振动下颗粒物质的行为模式研究进展

竖直振动下颗粒物质行为模式的研究对化工过程中效率的提升具有重要意义,该研究近年来成为热点,并不断取得新进展。本文将已有竖直振动下颗粒物质行为模式研究归纳为:竖直振动颗粒床中颗粒的行为、竖直振动颗粒床中颗粒沿直管的爬升、竖直振动U形管中颗粒的迁移、静止颗粒床中颗粒沿竖直振动管的爬升,并对相关研究进展进行评述,发现目前对颗粒物质运动规律的认识还不深入,颗粒物质行为模式的内在机理上尚存争议。鉴于离散元方法(DEM)能够获得每一个颗粒的运动信息,从而很好地反映颗粒过程的机理和特性,对竖直振动U形管和竖直振动管中颗粒物质行为模式进行DEM模拟再现;据此提出在今后的研究中应充分发挥DEM的优势,深入研究颗粒行为模式的动力学本质和影响颗粒行为模式的因素,为颗粒输运过程的优化提供理论基础和方法指导。     

Silver recovery from spent photographic solutions by a magnetically assisted particle bed

The work presents experimental results on silver cementation from spent photographic fixer thiosulphate solutions by iron in magnetically controlled particle beds. Axial magnetic field created by Helmholtz pair was used. The increase in the fluid flow rate yields an increased silver recovery due to reduction in the external mass transfer resistance irrespective of the particle bed structures used for cementation. The field intensity slightly boosts the silver recovery and results in granular structures appearing at the surface of the deposits. The bed structures when the iron is used as a particle beds in column operation has major role in the efficient performance of the cementation process. With flow rate slightly exceeding the minimum fluidization point in the absence of a field the preferable operating regimes are: a fixed bed (FB) and moderately expanded magnetically stabilized beds (MSB) regimes, both of them with the Magnetization FIRST mode. However, when high flow throughputs are required, the frozen beds with the Magnetization LAST exhibit higher separation efficiencies and higher mass transfer coefficients than those with FB and MSB.     

Numerical investigation of monodisperse granular flow through an inclined rotating chute

A discrete element model of spherical glass particles flowing down a rotating chute is validated against high quality experimental data. The simulations are performed in a corotating frame of reference, taking into account Coriolis and centrifugal forces. In view of future extensions aimed at segregation studies of polydisperse granular flows, several validation steps are required. In particular, the influence of the interstitial gas, a sensitivity study of the collision parameters, and the effect of system rotation on particle flow is investigated. Shirsath et al. have provided the benchmark laboratory measurements of bed height and surface velocities of monodisperse granular flow down an inclined rotating chute. With a proper choice of the friction coefficients, the simulations show very good agreement with our experimental results. The effect of interstitial gas on the flow behavior is found to be relatively small for 3‐mm granular particles. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 60: 3424–3441, 2014     

Experimental analysis of dynamic properties in wet sheared granular matter

We performed experiments to measure the dynamic properties of wet granular matter in a shear cell device. The purpose was to quantify the effect of the liquid bridge force on granular systems. The motions of the granular materials were recorded by a high-speed camera. Image processing technology and particle tracking method were employed to measure the velocities, fluctuation velocities and granular temperatures in the streamwise and the transverse directions. The results show that adding small amounts of liquid with different viscosities, and changing the wall velocity, both have significant influences on the dynamic properties of wet granular matter due to the formation and rupturing of liquid bridges. The energy dissipation due to the formation and rupturing of the liquid bridges increases with the increase of wall velocity and the increase of liquid viscosity. The effect of the liquid bridge force on the dynamic properties is not only dependent on the liquid viscosity but also on the kinetic energy of the granular system.     

Discrete element simulation of free flowing grains in a four‐bladed mixer

Numerical simulations of granular flow in a cylindrical vessel agitated by a four‐blade impeller were performed using the discrete element method. Velocity, density, and stress profiles within the mixer displayed a periodic behavior with a fluctuation frequency equal to that of the blade rotation. Blade orientation was found to affect flow patterns and mixing kinetics. For an obtuse blade pitch orientation, a three‐dimensional recirculation zone develops in‐front of the blade due to formation of heaps where the blades are present. This flow pattern promotes vertical and radial mixing. No recirculation zone was observed when the blade orientation was changed to an acute blade pitch. The system's frictional characteristics are shown to strongly influence the granular behavior within the mixer. At low friction coefficients, the 3‐D recirculation in front of the obtuse blade is not present reducing convective mixing. Higher friction coefficients lead to an increase in granular temperature which is associated with an increase in diffusive mixing. Normal and shear stresses were found to vary with mixer height with maximum values near the bottom plate. Additionally, a strong dependence between the magnitude of the shear stresses and the friction coefficient of the particles was found. The stress tensor characteristics indicate that the granular flow in our simulations occurs in the quasi‐static regime. At the same time, the averaged pressure was found to vary linearly with bed height and could be predicted by a simple hydrostatic approximation. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009     

A novel simulation approach for particulate flows during filtration

This paper presents a novel approach for simulation of filtration process when velocity gradient within pore space cannot be neglected. The new model is useful for accurate prediction of the filtration performance and particle retention efficiency. Artificial porous media such as filters, by design, have a large surface-to-volume ratio because of an inherent homogeneity present within their structure; the homogenous structure is realized due to organized packing of grains as building blocks, which leads to a significant velocity gradient inner pore space. In this work, the inner-pore flow characteristics of two different homogeneous packing patterns (cubic and oblique hexagonal packing) were examined. The multiple constricted tubes analogy was adopted to model porous media to simplify the inner-pore geometrical structure. A new integrated simulation approach was utilized through implementing the particle trajectory model to every unit bed element of the simulation domain. The accuracy of the numerical simulations used in this study was verified by comparing the particle distribution pattern and penetration depth obtained from simulations to those monitored via a visual experiment. A sensitivity analysis was carried out to study parameters that may affect the particle distribution and penetration length, such as grain-to-particle size ratio, flow rate, and fluid viscosity. The simulation method utilized in this paper provides an in-depth understanding of the fine particle migration during filtration process through artificial porous media, and, thus, provide useful insights for improved filtration design.     

Modeling segregation of polydisperse granular materials in developing and transient free-surface flows

Predicting segregation and mixing of polydisperse granular materials in industrial processes remains a challenging problem. Here, we extend the application of a general predictive continuum model that captures the effects of segregation, diffusion, and advection in two ways. First, we consider polydisperse segregating flow in developing steady segregation and in developing unsteady segregation. In both cases, several terms in the model that were zero in the previously examined case of fully developed streamwise-periodic steady segregation in a chute are now non-zero, which makes application of the model substantially more challenging. Second, we apply the polydisperse approach to density polydisperse materials with the same particle size. Predictions of the model agree quantitatively with experimentally validated discrete element method (DEM) simulations of both size polydisperse and density polydisperse mixtures having uniform, triangular, and log-normal distributions. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 65: 882–893, 2019     

颗粒斜槽流的实验研究与数值模拟

从实验和理论两个方面对颗粒慢速斜槽流进行了研究。建立颗粒慢速斜槽流的实验装置 ,采用示踪颗粒法测定表面速度 ;通过测量表面速度和流层厚度 ,初步分析了流率及壁面状况对流动的影响。用有限元法对粗糙表面上的慢速斜槽流进行了数值模拟