Study on electric field distribution in cylindrical metal silo considering particle segregation

Abstract

The cylindrical metal silo plays an important role in the industry for storing the product, while the undesired of electrostatic charge on the dielectric powder leads to dangerous electrostatic discharge and threatening human safety and causing a great economic loss. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of the particle segregation on the electric field in the silo base on the electric field simulation. Three parameters were studied: large particle layer thickness fraction, small particle space charge density (ρS) and large particle space charge density (ρL). The effect of the particle segregation on the electric field in the silo was evaluated through comparing the electric field in the segregation case to that in the uniform case. The results showed that the particle segregation significantly affected the electric field in the silo. The space charge density of the small particle mainly influenced the electric field in the small particle layer, while that of the large particle had a significant effect on the electric field in the large particle layer. The particle segregation not only could increase the electric field strength but also could decrease the electric field, which was dependent on the relative magnitude of the large (|ρL|) and small (|ρS|) particle space charge density. Additionally, the relative growth rate (absolute value) of the maximum electric field strength increased with the increase of |ρL-ρS|.