Discrete Element Modeling (DEM) of the Vertically Vibrated Particle Bed

Discreet element modeling (DEM) is a computational tool used for detailed exploration of dynamic particle bed behaviors. One such application is the analysis of finely sized particle mixtures under the influence of external forces such as vertical vibration, which is difficult, if barely at all accessible for detailed experimental analysis. Here, we examined the differential density dynamic particle bed behaviors, by the application of a modified two dimensional DEM-fluid model that incorporates the gravity and fluid effects, to replicate some of the important experimental based observations of segregation, heaping, tilting, high density particles on top and bottom, and partition cell separation. The simulation results compared favorably with the reported literature on the density segregation attributes such as high density particles on top at vertical vibration frequency of 6.3 and 7Hz with corresponding dimensionless acceleration magnitude of 1.6 and 2, convection currents at vertical vibration frequency of 30, 40, and 30 with corresponding dimensionless acceleration magnitude of 3.5, 4, and 3, layer separation at vertical vibration frequency of 7Hz with corresponding dimensionless acceleration magnitude 2 and partition cell separation at vertical vibration frequency of 45Hz and corresponding dimensionless acceleration magnitude of 2.25 for simulated glass and bronze particle mixture properties.