Abstract
A new dust suppression hopper with a spiral guide plate embedded in the conventional hopper is proposed for the dust suppression of hopper transfer processes in this article. The Computational Fluid Dynamics-Discrete Element Method (CFD-DEM) coupling numerical method is used to investigate the particle motion and flow field distribution of the hopper transfer process. The experiment is undertaken to determine dust suppression performance. The results show that the maximum particle velocity for the spiral hopper is dropped by 1.6 m/s compared to the conventional hopper, which means the collision of the particles and the spiral hopper is weakened. The axial airflow velocity of the spiral is reduced. In addition, the maximum dust concentration of the spiral hopper inlet is reduced by 56.9% due to the impact velocity of particles is small, and the secondary fugitive dust is controlled inside a semi-closed space formed by the spiral guide plate. It is thus concluded that the spiral hopper provides an effective way in dust control.
Highlights
Hoppers are widely used in the transfer process of bulk material such as coal and grain, but it is easy for the dust to escape from the upper hopper, which is harmful to the health of workers [1].Pneumoconiosis is triggered for the people who work in high-concentration dust environments.A dusty atmosphere increases risk of the dust explosions that can be much more dangerous [2]
The finite volume method (FVM) is used to obtain the fluid information of averaged velocity and pressure for each cell by solving the locally-averaged Navier–Stokes equation, and subsequently calculate fluid–particle interaction forces at a time-step, when the simulation model is solved by the Computational Fluid Dynamics-Discrete Element Method (CFD-DEM) coupling method
The dust concentration of the spiral hopper inlet is not increased with the experiment process
Summary
Hoppers are widely used in the transfer process of bulk material such as coal and grain, but it is easy for the dust to escape from the upper hopper, which is harmful to the health of workers [1]. Chen et al [7] analyzed the performance of different belt conveyor transfer chutes to reduce dust emissions in bulk material handling plants. These chutes can effectively suppress dust emissions for belt conveyors, the transfer process for the hopper is not considered. For the dust emission problem, Hilton and Cleary [15] presented a method for simulating dust release by a coupled CFD-DEM. The CFD-DEM coupling method is used to simulate the transfer processes of the conventional hopper and the spiral hopper, and the particle velocity and airflow are investigated. The dust suppression performance of the spiral hopper is verified by analyzing the experiment and the movement of particle and airflow
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
