Dynamics of axial segregation and coarsening of dry granular materials and slurries in circular and square tubes

We study segregation and coarsening dynamics of dry granular materials and slurries in tubes with circular and square cross sections. Space-time plots show key differences between the four cases, including band splitting and wave formation, depending upon the rotational speed. However, the fraction of the surface occupied by bands of small-rich particles is nearly constant in all experiments, leading to quasi-1D behavior, and the rate of coarsening, when it occurs, is logarithmic in all cases. Coarsening rates are very similar except in the case with the longest development time.     

Mixing and segregation of granular materials in chute flows

Mixing of granular solids is invariably accompanied by segregation, however, the fundamentals of the process are not well understood. We analyze density and size segregation in a chute flow of cohesionless spherical particles by means of computations and theory based on the transport equations for a mixture of nearly elastic particles. Computations for elastic particles (Monte Carlo simulations), nearly elastic particles, and inelastic, frictional particles (particle dynamics simulations) are carried out. General expressions for the segregation fluxes due to pressure gradients and temperature gradients are derived. Simplified equations are obtained for the limiting cases of low volume fractions (ideal gas limit) and equal sized particles. Theoretical predictions of equilibrium number density profiles are in good agreement with computations for mixtures of equal sized particles with different density for all solids volume fractions, and for mixtures of different sized particles at low volume fractions (nu<0.2), when the particles are elastic or nearly elastic. In the case of inelastic, frictional particles the theory gives reasonable predictions if an appropriate effective granular temperature is assumed. The relative importance of pressure diffusion and temperature diffusion for the cases considered is discussed. (c) 1999 American Institute of Physics.     

Isolating segregation mechanisms in a split-bottom cell

We study the segregation of mixtures of particles in a split-bottom cell to isolate three possible driving mechanisms for segregation of densely sheared granular mixtures: gravity, porosity, and velocity gradients. We find that gravity alone does not drive segregation associated with particle size without a sufficiently large porosity or porosity gradient. A velocity gradient, however, appears to be capable of driving segregation associated with both particle size and material density. In all cases, the final segregation state is approached exponentially.     

Open problems in active chaotic flows: Competition between chaos and order in granular materials

There are many systems where interaction among the elementary building blocks-no matter how well understood-does not even give a glimpse of the behavior of the global system itself. Characteristic for these systems is the ability to display structure without any external organizing principle being applied. They self-organize as a consequence of synthesis and collective phenomena and the behavior cannot be understood in terms of the systems' constitutive elements alone. A simple example is flowing granular materials, i.e., systems composed of particles or grains. How the grains interact with each other is reasonably well understood; as to how particles move, the governing law is Newton's second law. There are no surprises at this level. However, when the particles are many and the material is vibrated or tumbled, surprising behavior emerges. Systems self-organize in complex patterns that cannot be deduced from the behavior of the particles alone. Self-organization is often the result of competing effects; flowing granular matter displays both mixing and segregation. Small differences in either size or density lead to flow-induced segregation and order; similar to fluids, noncohesive granular materials can display chaotic mixing and disorder. Competition gives rise to a wealth of experimental outcomes. Equilibrium structures, obtained experimentally in quasi-two-dimensional systems, display organization in the presence of disorder, and are captured by a continuum flow model incorporating collisional diffusion and density-driven segregation. Several open issues remain to be addressed. These include analysis of segregating chaotic systems from a dynamical systems viewpoint, and understanding three-dimensional systems and wet granular systems (slurries). General aspects of the competition between chaos-enhanced mixing and properties-induced de-mixing go beyond granular materials and may offer a paradigm for other kinds of physical systems. (c) 2002 American Institute of Physics.     

Segregation effect in symmetric cellular automata model for two-lane mixed traffic

Segregation effects commonly exist in granular mixtures with difference in size, shape or density. In mixed traffic flow, slow vehicle and fast vehicle, as two types of particles, have different desired speed. We investigate the segregation along the road in mixed traffic flow by using a symmetric two-lane cellular automata model. A parameter D, which quantifies the degree of segregation, is defined. We study the density dependency of the parameter at different randomization probability. Simulation results show that segregation is more obviously in free flow region. We argue that the overtaking maneuvers have similar effect as percolation in granular flow.     

Air-Driven Segregation in Binary Granular Mixtures with Same Size but Different Densities

We investigate the segregation effect of binary granular mixtures with the same size but different densities under vibration at different air pressures. Our experiments show that the segregation state is seriously dependent on the air pressure and there is a new type of partially segregated state at high air pressure, which has the characteristic that the lighter grains tend to stay at the bottom and form a pure layer, while heavier grains and remained lighter ones tend to rise and to form a mixed layer on the top of the system. We redefine the order parameter to study the variation of the segregation effect with the air pressure and vibration parameter in detail. Finally, the mechanism of the air-driven segregation is illustrated by the faster acceleration due to the airflow through the granular bed for lighter particles.     

Segregation induced instabilities of granular fronts

Experimental investigation of granular flows containing particles of several sizes and moving down slopes shows that segregation of coarse-grained, irregularly shaped particles induces a fingering instability at the propagating front. The size-segregation mechanism involves percolation of small particles downward and a corresponding migration of large ones toward the flow surface. Large particles at the flow surface experience velocities that are greater than average so that they migrate forward and begin to collect at the flow front. In the case of dry cohesionless flows, the instability depends upon these large particles at the flow perimeter being more angular and thus more resistant to flow than the smaller rounder ones in the interior. A simple analytical model predicts the fingering instability when friction of the flow front is greater than that of the following flow. The presence of viscous liquid inhibits both size-segregation and the development of the instability. Fluidization of dry flows permits segregation of large particles to flow perimeters, thus increasing permeability and permitting a similar instability that owes its development to the dry frictional perimeter that surrounds a partly fluidized interior. (c) 1999 American Institute of Physics.     

Size segregation and convection of granular mixtures almost completely packed in a thin rotating Box

We simulate size segregation in granular mixtures which are almost completely packed in a rotating drum. Instead of a 3D drum, we simulate a 2D thin rotating box which is almost completely packed with granular mixtures. The phase inversion of a radially segregated pattern which was found in a 3D experiment is qualitatively reproduced with this simulation. A global convection appears after a radial segregation pattern is formed, and this convection induces an axially segregated pattern.     

A molecular dynamics simulation of segregation behaviours of horizontally vibrated binary granular mixture

This paper performs the two-dimensional, soft-sphere molecular dynamics simulations to study the granular segregation in a binary granular mixture with the same size but different density in the container with the sawtooth base under horizontal vibration. The segregation phase diagram is presented in the acceleration-frequency space. When the acceleration is high enough to result in relative motions of the particles, the system can be in various states (mixed state, vertical and horizontal segregation state), which depend on both acceleration and frequency. Due to the sawtooth base there is stratified flow effect besides density effect. The density effect raises the light particles. The stratified flow drives the particles in the upper levels to the right and the particles in the lower particles to the left, those fact results in the appearance of the left segregation state. The left segregation state can be changed to the right segregation by changing the shape of the sawtooth. As the vibration frequency increases, the stratified flow effect becomes weaker and weaker, so at high vibration frequencies the vertical segregation state appears instead of the left segregation state.     

水平滚筒内二元颗粒体系径向分离模式的数值模拟研究

发展了考虑法向接触力、切向接触力和力矩、以及滚动摩擦力矩的三维三方程线性弹性-阻尼离散单元模型及计算程序，对薄滚筒内二元S型颗粒体系进行了数值模拟，发现采用本文的数学模型可以准确地预测出滚筒内二元S型颗粒流的分层现象.分析了影响滚筒内颗粒分层的因素，讨论了滚筒转速、颗粒装载率等参数对分层的影响，当转速较高时，滚筒内形成大颗粒在外、小颗粒在内、具有圆形界面的月亮模式，当转速较低时形成具有波浪形界面的花瓣模式，并且随着滚筒转速的逐渐降低，花瓣的数量逐渐增加，数值模拟结果与实验完全符合.模拟还得到了花瓣模式的形     

水平滚筒内二元颗粒体系径向分离模式的数值模拟研究

发展了考虑法向接触力、切向接触力和力矩、以及滚动摩擦力矩的三维三方程线性弹性-阻尼离散单元模型及计算程序,对薄滚筒内二元S型颗粒体系进行了数值模拟,发现采用本文的数学模型可以准确地预测出滚筒内二元S型颗粒流的分层现象.分析了影响滚筒内颗粒分层的因素,讨论了滚筒转速、颗粒装载率等参数对分层的影响,当转速较高时,滚筒内形成大颗粒在外、小颗粒在内、具有圆形界面的月亮模式,当转速较低时形成具有波浪形界面的花瓣模式,并且随着滚筒转速的逐渐降低,花瓣的数量逐渐增加,数值模拟结果与实验完全符合.模拟还得到了花瓣模式的形 关键词： 分层 滚筒 模式形成 离散单元方法     

Dynamic properties of the two-dimensional density-driven segregation

We discuss some dynamic properties of the segregation in vertically vibrated binary granular mixtures with the same size. We present a method that can accurately calculate the order parameter in the simulation. By use of the time evolution of the order parameter, we have found that the convergence of the segregated state depends at least on the vibration amplitude, the total mass of the particles, and also the density difference between the lighter and heavier particles.The convergence is quicker for larger vibration amplitude, lighter total mass of the particles and more density difference between the lighter and heavier particles. We have also found that thefluctuation is larger even after the steady state is reached for lighter total mass of the particles and less density difference between the lighter and heavier particles.     

Competition of Brazil nut effect,buoyancy, and inelasticity induced segregation in a granular mixture

It has been recently reported that a granular mixture in which grains differ in their restitution coefficients presents segregation: the more inelastic particles sink to the bottom. When other segregation mechanisms as buoyancy and the Brazil nut effect are present, the inelasticity induced segregation can compete with them. First, a detailed analysis, based on numerical simulations of two dimensional systems, of the competition between buoyancy and the inelasticity induced segregation is presented, finding that there is a transition line in the parameter space that determines which mechanism is dominant. In the case of neutrally buoyant particles having different sizes the inelasticity induced segregation can compete with the Brazil nut effect (BNE). Reverse Brazil nut effect (RBNE) could be obtained at large inelasticities of the intruder. At intermediate values, BNE and RBNE coexist and large inelastic particles are found both near the bottom and at the top of the system.     

Bidisperse granular avalanches on inclined planes: A rich variety of behaviors

Experiments were performed to provide insight into the flow behavior and structure of bimodal mixtures of grains in gravity-driven, free-surface flows. Unsteady unconfined flows were produced by releasing instantaneously a dry granular mass, composed of two particle sizes, over a rough inclined plane. As a result of size segregation, the small particles are found at the bottom of the flow and final deposit, the large particles are found at the free surface, but also on the lateral borders and at the front of the flow. The lateral and vertical inhomogeneous repartitions of particles lead to two main effects that are completely absent in monodispersed flows. The outline effect results from the accumulation of large beads on the periphery of the flow depending on the value of the relative friction of each particle species on the plane. This effect in turn causes a narrowing of the flow and/or an increase of length of the final deposit. The interface effect results of the interaction between layers of different size particles and causes the modification of the thickness of the deposit. These effects occur simultaneously and their combination leads to a great variety of behaviors. In this investigation, evidence of the diversity of behaviors is presented as the size ratio, relative friction and concentration of each particle species are varied.     

Phase transitions in shear-induced segregation of granular materials

We computationally study shear-induced segregation of different-sized particles in vertical chute flow. We find that, for low solid fractions, large particles segregate toward regions of low shear rates where the granular temperature (velocity variance) is low. As the solid fraction increases, this trend reverses, and large particles segregate toward regions of high shear rates and temperatures. We find that this is a global phenomenon: local segregation trends reverse at high system solid fractions even where local solid fractions are small. The reversal corresponds to the growth of a single enduring cluster of 30%-60% of the particles that we propose changes the segregation dynamics.     

Axial segregation of granular materials

When mixtures of granular materials are rotated, it is often found that they segregate into bands, along the axis of rotation, which are rich in the various components. This effect is discussed experimentally and theoretically, with emphasis on a mechanism based on surface flow. The complimentary phenomenon of radial segregation is reviewed, and a mechanism is proposed. Finally, we consider the long-time behavior of rotating mixtures, particularly their anomolous coarsening. (c) 1999 American Institute of Physics.     

Random Packing of Small Blocks: Pressure Effects,Orientational Correlations and Application to Polymer‐Based Composites

Packing is a complex phenomenon of prominence in many natural and industrial processes (liquid crystals, granular materials, infiltration, melting, flow, sintering, segregation, sedimentation, compaction, etc.). A variety of computational methods is available in particular for spheroid particles. Our aim is to apply the principle of the random sequential addition algorithm but with small blocks of varying size and orientation. Here the main purpose is to reproduce the observed arrangement of graphitic assemblies in polymeric matrices. Random packing is improved by applying an external pressure implemented with a drifted diffusive motion of the fillers. Attention is also paid to the emergence of structural and orientational order. Interestingly, mixtures of fillers of irregular shapes can be dealt with efficiently using the proposed algorithm.     

振动颗粒物质中倍周期运动对尺寸分离的影响

实验研究了竖直振动颗粒床中,倍周期运动对尺寸分离的影响.实验中,当振动加速度足够大时,系统中出现稳定的对称对流,进一步增大振动加速度到某个临界值时,还会出现倍周期运动.观察表明,背景颗粒的对流运动对分离过程起主导作用,对流速度决定着分离过程的快慢,而在2倍周期和4倍周期分岔之后,分离时间有所减慢.对引起对流运动的起因进行了分析,以此为基础分析了倍周期运动产生影响的物理机理,并对分离时间进行了定量计算,结果与实验值符合很好. 关键词： 颗粒物质 “巴西果”效应 倍周期分岔 对流     

振动颗粒混合物中的三明治式分离

在竖直振动两种颗粒的混合物的实验中，观察到了一种新的分离现象——“三明治”式分离，即大而重的颗粒被夹在两层小的轻颗粒之间.这不同于“巴西果”效应导致的大而重的颗粒在上的两层有序结构.实验表明当振动加速度大于某个临界值时这种三层有序将取代两层结构，而且是稳定的.实验中观察到导致“三明治”式分离的两种不同的分离过程.对这两种过程的物理机理及其与振动加速度、振动频率及颗粒尺寸等因素的关系做了研究，并给出了相图. 关键词： 颗粒物质 振动 有序结构 三明治式分离 巴西果效应     

Segregation in arch formation

We report new segregation phenomena in the clogging arches formed during the discharge of granular piles. Results from molecular dynamics simulations show segregation effects with respect to both size and density ratios used in piles built with bidisperse mixtures of grains. The clogging arch is preferentially constituted of large grains when size bidisperse piles were discharged, whereas for density bidisperse mixtures there is a predominance of light grains in the arch for large orifice widths but, for small widths, an inversion in the preference is observed, with a slightly higher incidence of heavy grains forming the arches. We present arguments based on the reverse buoyancy effect and the statistics collected for the avalanche size distributions to explain how these effects can be understood as a crossover between two different segregation mechanisms acting independently at small and large orifice width limits.