Abstract
Agitating granulation method has been widely used. However, particle motion in an agitation granulator is not obvious. It is useful in a reasonable process analysis to know the particle motion in the granulator.
In the present study, three-dimensional motion of individual particles in an agitation granulator with a three-blade was analyzed using simulation by discrete element method (DEM). The effect of the rotation speed of agitating blade on particle behavior was numerically simulated and the elastic energy of spring in the model of contact force was calculated. Furthermore, the experiment in agitating granulation was conducted by changing rotation speed of agitating blade and the results of simulation were compared to those of granulation experiment. These results have showed that the DEM simulation could provide useful explanations on particle behavior and granulation process in an agitation granulator.
