DEM simulation of particle percolation in a packed bed: effect of material properties

  • Mahbubur Rahman, University of New South Wales, Australia
  • Dr Haiping Zhu, Australia
  • Prof Aibing Yu, University of New South Wales, Australia
  • Prof John Bridgwater, Dept. of Chemical Engineering, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom

    • Spontaneous particle percolation under gravity is analyzed by means of the discrete element method. Percolation behavior such as percolation velocity, residence time distribution and radial dispersion for different density ratio and friction coefficient between percolating and packing particle, rolling friction and young’s modulus of percolating particle is “measured”. It is observed that the percolation velocity increases when young’s modulus of percolating particle decreases. Radial dispersion increases with the increase of young’s modulus, density and rolling friction of percolating particle. The mechanisms of percolation behavior are analyzed, and the link with the percolation flow of unsaturated liquid flow in a packed bed is discussed.

    Keywords: Size segregation, percolation, discrete element method