Experimental research on the motion behavior of particles in a rotating drum based on similarity

The large-scale industrial drums have a considerable number of material particles rotating in them, reaching 10(9) or more. This causes a large particle system; it is difficult to carry out a simulation study of equal ratios on such systems. In this study, the similarity criterion of the particle motion behavior in the drum with lifting strips was established using a dimensional analysis method, and the mapping relationship between the inner diameter and the rotational speed of the drum, the particle size, and the rotational speed of the drum under the same gravity field was obtained. By comparing and analyzing the movement trajectories of the particles in drums of different sizes, it was found that the movement trajectories of single and multiple particles in the rotating drums met the established similarity criterion. The results of this study can provide an effective solution to the huge computational problem of industrial applications. (c) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.