Coarse-grained DEM simulation of particle behavior and heat transfer in a large scale rotary kiln

Abstract

Recent improvements in computing capabilities have made numerical simulation of the behavior and the heat transfer of many particles possible via the Discrete Element Method (DEM). However, even with current computational capabilities, it is still difficult to simulate particle behavior and the heat transfer for manufacturing equipment as rotary kilns, because the large scale and enormous number of particles would be required. To address this issue, we developed the coarse-graining method called modified coarse-grained method for granular shear flow (M-CGSF). In this study, we performed the verification tests for M-CGSF targeting manufacturing scale as a rotary kiln reactor. It was confirmed that the particle behavior and heat transfer with DEM simulations by applying M-CGSF were consistent with the original case.