Characterisation of binary mixtures of pellets and sinter for DEM simulations

Abstract

To study the distribution of ferrous burden (which is a mixture of pellets and sinter) in the blast furnace, the burden must be characterised in terms of input parameters which can be used in discrete element method (DEM) simulations. A methodology is presented to determine these parameters which can help represent the ferrous burden mixture. First, angle of repose experiments are performed and determined for pellet, sinter and their mixtures at different proportions. Using this experimental data, the DEM parameters individually for pellets and sinter using previously determined experimental values and DEM calibration approach are chosen and they are represented accurately. From these, the values of DEM parameters for pellet-sinter contact are taken as the average of their individual counterparts. Using all determined parameters for intra-material as well as inter-material particle contacts, simulations of angle of repose for mixtures at varying proportions are done and a good match is found between experimental and simulation values at all proportions. In this way, binary mixtures are characterised while maintaining the constituents as individual species.