Simulation of flip-flow screening adhesive organic fertilizer particles based on DEM-MBD coupling method

Abstract

For screening adhesive organic fertilizer particles, a Discrete Element Method (DEM) and Multi-Body Dynamics (MBD) coupling model of screening adhesive organic fertilizer particles using a flip-flow screen is established. Then, the velocity, the distribution and the trajectory of the particles during the screening process are observed. Finally, the effects of the surface energy γ, the rotational speed n, the tensional amount ∆l and the feed rate M are investigated. The results show that the flip-flow screen could provide a high velocity for depolymerization of agglomerated particles and separation of adhesive particles from the screen panels, so adhesive organic fertilizer particles can be successfully screened by using the flip-flow screen and organic fertilizer particles in an easily absorbed range are obtained. With the increase of γ, both the flow rate and the screening efficiency decrease. With the increase of n, both first increase and then slightly decrease. With the increase of ∆l, both increase at a low n, or slightly decrease at a high n. With the increase of M, the screening efficiency decreases, while the total flow rate first increases and then decreases. Through adjusting n, ∆l, M, flip-flow screen can also be used to screen other adhesive particles.