Numerical modeling of filling and discharge processes in hoppers of different shapes

Abstract

The Discrete Element Method (DEM) is applied in numerical modelling of flow of granular materials in filling and discharge processes in hoppers. The granular material is represented by an assembly of 1980 spherical particles of specified grain size distribution with frictional and visco-elastic contact interaction. Three types of hoppers are considered: plane-wedged, space-wedged and flat bottomed, with varying shape parameters. The filling process is simulated by assuming dynamic motion of particles from specified height into closed hopper. The discharge process is analyzed by considering dynamic flow of grains through open bottom orifice. The numerical analysis provides the evolution of velocity field and contact tractions at hopper walls during filling and discharge stages. The distribution of porosity field, and evolution of discharge flow mass fraction are specified from the numerical analysis. The DEM is an effective tool in study of static and kinematic fields of granular materials, and also in the sensitivity analysis of the effect of geometric and material grain parameters on macroscopic flow properties and wall pressures.