Self-diffusion of wet particles in rotating drums

Abstract

Axial mixing of wet particles in rotating drums was investigated by the discrete element method with the capillary force explicitly considered. Different flow regimes were observed by varying the surface tension of liquid and keeping other conditions unchanged. The analysis of the concentration and mean square displacement of particles indicated that the axial motion of wet particles was a diffusive process characterised by Fick's law. Particle diffusivity decreased with increasing inter-particle cohesion and drum filling level but increased with increasing drum rotation speed. Two competing mechanisms were proposed to explain these effects. A theoretical model based on the relation between local diffusivity and shear rate was developed to predict particle diffusivity as a function of drum operation conditions. It was also observed that despite the high inhomogeneity of particle flow in rotating drums, the mean diffusivity of flow exhibited a strong correlation with granular temperature, defined as the mean square fluctuating velocity of particles.