ABSTRACT
The discrete element computational method (DEM) has been used to simulate granular flows for some years. However, these simulation results have not yet been validated completely due to the limited experimental techniques available. The technique applied in this work is positron emission particle tracking (PEPT), which enables the position of a single tracer particle to be determined within the system of interest. Particle motion in a V-blender was studied using both DEM and PEPT methods to validate the existing soft-sphere (spring, dash-pot and friction slider) model. The exchange rate between the two arms of the blender was compared and the DEM simulation results agree quantitatively with the PEPT experiments. Both studies show that the exchange rate decreases significantly with the increase of fill level and also decreases with tincrease in the shaft rotational speed. Changes in the simulation parameters have little effect on the exchange rate. DEM predictions of the velocity distribution within the mixer show good agreement with experiment.
