Study of the discharge behavior of Rosin-Rammler particle-size distributions from hopper by discrete element method: A systematic analysis of mass flow rate, segregation and velocity profiles

• Published in: Powder technology 2020-01, Vol.360, p.818-834
• Main Authors: Kumar, Raj, Gopireddy, Srikanth R., Jana, Arun K., Patel, Chetan M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bulk density; Density; Discharge; Discrete element method; Flow rates; Mass flow rate; Parameters; Particle size distribution; PSD width; Rosin; Rosin-Rammler particle size distribution; Segregation; Size distribution; Velocity; Velocity distribution; Velocity profiles
• ISSN: 0032-5910; 1873-328X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.powtec.2019.09.044

In the present work, the discrete element method (DEM) is used to investigate the behaviour of Rosin-Rammler (R-R) particle size distribution (PSD) during hopper discharge. The study attempts to identify mass flow rate (MFR) and segregation as a function of spread parameter (PSD width) and location parameter, which includes detailed analysis of bulk density, segregation and velocity profile of particles. The applicability of the widely used Beverloo correlation for prediction of MFR for studied R-R PSDs is also investigated. The results show that, (1) MFR increases as PSD width (at fixed location parameter) increases, whereas MFR decreases with increase in location parameter at fixed PSD width; (2) the studied R-R PSDs exhibit a monotonic trend of flow bulk density and MFR with respect to PSD width and location parameter; (3) the effect of PSD width on overall segregation is found to be more than the location parameter; (4) the velocity profiles for considered R-R PSDs vary along the height of hopper, but remain uniform in shape and follow a pure parabolic increase from the hopper wall; (5) DEM flow rate prediction shows a good agreement with the Beverloo correlation by applying the concept of flow bulk density. [Display omitted] •Discharge behavior of Rosin-Rammler particle-size distributions was studied by DEM.•Flow rate increases as PSD width increases and decrease with location parameter.•The PSD width affects segregation more than location parameter for considered PSDs.•The velocity profile of Rosin-Rammler PSDs represents typical parabolic nature.•DEM mass flow rate prediction shows a good agreement with the Beverloo correlation.