Experimental investigation of segregation in a rotating drum with non-spherical particles

Abstract

The focus of the current investigation is to study the influence of particles’ shape on segregation of bi-disperse mixture of particles in a rotating drum. The effects of various particle parameters such as shape, size, density and size ratio are investigated along with system parameters like time, rotational speed. The results show the shape of both coarse and fine particles influence mixing. For the coarse particles, decreasing trend of extent of radial segregation as follows: sphere > oblate > prolate > elongated-needle. For the fine particle, the trend follows as sphere > cube > prolate. These trends are strongly correlated to the mono-dispersed random packing density and particle angularity. The result shows that coarse particles with higher mono-dispersed random packing density show less segregation whereas fine particles with greater angularity improves mixing. Segregation can be controlled in multiple scenarios in industries by choosing the appropriate shape of the particles. • Coarse particles with higher mono-dispersed random packing density promote mixing. • For coarse particles segregation pattern: Sphere >oblate >prolate >elongated needle. • The fine particles with greater angularity promote mixing. • For fine particles segregation pattern: Sphere >cube >prolate.