Effect of aspect ratio of ellipsoidal particles on segregation of a binary mixture in a rotating drum

Abstract

In this work, the Discrete Element Method (DEM) is used to investigate the evolution of radial segregation and its dependence on the shape by varying the particle’s aspect ratio. A total of 37 different types of binary mixtures are created, where the aspect ratio of particles varies from 0.25 to 4.0. The results shows that in binary mixture the aspect ratio of both coarse and fine particles influence mixing. The initial well-mixed binary mixture of coarse and fine particles evolves into a radial segregated state where the fine particles occupy a central core of the drum surrounded by coarse particles. Spherical shape particles, whether acting as coarse or fine in binary mixture, promote segregation. Two characteristics of particles i.e., Monodisperse random packing density and sphericity are used to explain the segregation trend and its relationship to aspect ratio.