Viscoelastic contact model development for the discrete element simulations of mixing process in agitated drum

Abstract

A discrete element contact model was developed to simulate the mixing power requirement in an agitated drum. Contact viscous dampings in normal and tangential direction, rolling and twisting resistance torques, including elastic and viscous components have been implemented. The applicability of the developed contact model was first examined by angle of repose (AoR) and direct shear box (DSB) simulations and measurements, followed by mixing power requirement (MPR) simulations. Due to the time step reduction caused by the application of contact viscous dampings, the reducing of simulation time was also investigated. It was found that the contact viscous dampings were required to set the final micromechanical parameters for mixing accurately, however, the viscous components of the resistance torques were found to be negligible. The developed contact model simulated the mixing power requirement in the agitated drum accurately over the investigated 0.48−1.58 s−1 rotational speed range and 10 % ; 15% drum loading factors.