Gravity flow of granular solids through orifices of different shapes in a hopper

Mahbubur Rahman, Haiping Zhu

    Research output: Chapter in Book / Conference PaperConference Paperpeer-review

    Abstract

    ![CDATA[Numerical investigation of gravity flow of granular solids in a hopper through orifices of different shapes has been conducted using the discrete element method. The simulations are validated by comparing with the experimental results for rapeseed cases. It is observed that with orifices of the same area the flow rate decreases in the order of circle, square, rectangle and triangle, which is similar to the experimental outcome. A formula for flow rate reflecting the effect of orifice shape is obtained, and compared with the Beverloo’s equation. The reasons behind the influence of orifice shape on flow rate are further studied by considering different internal physical properties of the granular system in the arching zone configurations of the hopper. The velocity field of particles and inter-particle forces have been analysed. It is found that these properties near the orifice area vary for different orifice shape, which can be used to explain the influence of orifice shape on particle flow rate.]]
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationChemeca 2012: Quality of Life Through Chemical Engineering: 23-26 September 2012, Wellington, New Zealand
    PublisherEngineers Australia
    Number of pages9
    ISBN (Print)9781922107596
    Publication statusPublished - 2012
    EventChemeca 2012 -
    Duration: 23 Sept 2012 → …

    Conference

    ConferenceChemeca 2012
    Period23/09/12 → …

    Keywords

    • granular materials
    • storage

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