Effect of the Size of Coal Briquette on Its Internal Structure

Abstract

This study examines the effect of container size on coal briquette’s internal structure using the Discrete Element Method. It found that when the frictional resistance between particle and wall was large and the inner diameter small, the difference in particle filling ratio between the upper and lower parts of the briquette was significant. Conversely, with a larger inner diameter, this difference nearly disappeared. The distribution of contact force indicated that the frictional force’s inhibiting effect on force transmission lessened with a larger container’s inner diameter. The study also revealed that the height of the container affects the briquette’s internal structure, and these results can be summarized by the container’s height to diameter ratio. Essentially, a larger ratio led to a linear increase in the difference in filling ratio between the upper and lower parts of the briquette.