Host: The Society of Chemical Engineers, Japan
In this research work, mixing of granular flow has been investigated inside a sectorial shaped container subjected to sinusoidal oscillations. A sectorial container containing particles is oscillated in the range of 1Hz to 4Hz. Effect of different operating parameters such as frequency of oscillations; amplitude of oscillations, volume fraction and the size ratio of particles is studied. It is seen that the simulated flow characteristics of both unary and binary granular beds in the oscillating sectorial containers have similarities with those of the particulate beds subjected to combined vertical and horizontal vibrations in that the granular bed heaps toward one of the container walls. The flow behavior and the motion of particles is confined in a two-dimensional transverse planes to make a better comparison with the numerical simulations. It is also found that the mixing and segregation of particles takes place in a particular range of frequency zone. A range of frequency is identified for active and stagnant heaping of particulates. Good mixing is observed above and below a certain frequency range. Critical frequency region is also identified where the particulate matter is symmetrical to the shape of the container and asymmetrical heaping is observed above and below this critical frequency range. Effect of initial arrangement of layers of different particulates is also studied. Snapshots of experimental observations are compared with the numerically simulated characteristics. Numerical modeling using discrete element method has been carried out to validate the experimental observations. Mixing that takes place in different regimes is quantified by estimating the degree of mixing and a mixing rate constant. Granular temperature of the system for different set of frequencies is estimated which clearly shows the difference in energy levels for a segregated and well-mixed system of particulates. Overall, a good agreement is found between the experimental observations and numerical simulations.
