Study on screening efficiency of banana vibrating screen based on 3D DEM simulation

Abstract

The screening process of a banana vibrating screen was simulated based on 3D discrete element method, where Hertz-Mindlin (no-slip) Model was applied. The experiment design and data analysis were performed by Design-Expert software. The factors determining the screening efficiency and the interaction between those factors were identified. The results showed that the screening efficiency ranged from 72.6 to 92.8 %. The screening efficiency showed a Quadratic Relationship Model with gradient of sieve surface, vibrating direction angle, vibration intensity. When two of the factors were determined, the screening efficiency decreased gradually with the gradient of sieve surface and vibration intensity, but increased with the vibrating direction angle. The effects of various factors on the screening efficiency were in the following order: gradient of sieve surface, vibration intensity and vibrating direction angle. The effects of the interaction between those factors on the screening efficiency were in the following order: gradient of sieve surface × vibration intensity, vibrating direction angle × vibration intensity, and gradient of sieve surface × vibrating direction angle.