Hopper charging with spherical particles including rolling resistance mechanism

Project Description

• Evaluate the feasibility of using the distinct‐ element modeling to study the flow and segregation of frictional particles without cohesion.
• Simulate an experimental test corresponding to the charge/discharge of a scale model batch hopper.
• Analyze the segregation observed in the hopper after its charge.

Itasca's Role

• Charge of a hopper with a geometry and parameters specified by ArcelorMittal.
• Import from a CAD design the real geometry of the hopper.
• Develop a new rolling resistance contact law to apply on spherical particles instead of using the real grain shapes.

Project Results

• Rolling resistance model allows the repose angle of the real material to be simulated.
• Observation of segregation mechanisms during the charge of the hopper:
  • smaller particles tend to concentrate in the inner cylinder, while bigger particles concentrate nearby the hopper walls.
  • the bottom part of the hopper is filled by a homogeneous material.

• Simulations give insight on segregation mechanisms that explain the results observed later on (during the discharge).

Project Image(s)