Periodic Boundary Conditions for Discrete Element Method Simulation of Particle Flow in Cylindrical Vessels

Local Percolation of a Binary Particle Mixture in a Rectangular Hopper with Inclined Bottom during Discharging

To reveal the local percolation characteristics of a binary particle mixture in a rectangular hopper with inclined bottom, the discrete element method (DEM) is used to simulate the discharging process. A local percolation evaluation method is proposed, and the percolation strength grid maps are drawn. The effects of geometric parameters, particle properties, and interaction parameters on percolation are investigated. Apart from the free surface, percolation is mainly concentrated near the wall and at the bottom. With the increase in the orifice width, the average local percolation strength index (ALPSI) of the near-wall region increases and that of the bottom region decreases. The effect of the angle on percolation in the near-wall region can be ignored. The effect of friction on local percolation is significant. Increasing the fine particle mass fraction and reducing the difference in particle size can effectively avoid percolation.

Influence of center gas supply device on gas–solid flow in COREX shaft furnace through DEM–CFD model

In order to develop the central gas flow in COREX shaft furnace, a new installment of center gas supply device (CGD) is designed. In this work, a coupled DEM–CFD model was employed to study the influence of CGD on gas–solid flow in COREX shaft furnace. The particle descending velocity, particle segregation behaviour, void distribution and gas distribution were investigated. The results show that the CGD affects the particles descending velocity remarkably as the burden falling down to the slot. Particle segregation can be observed under the inverse ‘V’ burden profile, and the influence of CGD on the particle segregation is unobvious on the whole, which causes the result that the voidage is slightly changed. Although the effect of CGD on solid flow is not significant, the gas flow in shaft furnace has an obvious change. Compared with the condition without CGD, in the case with CGD, the gas velocity is improved significantly, especially in the middle zone of the furnace, which further promotes the center gas distribution. Meanwhile, the pressure drop in the furnace with the installation of CGD is increased partly.