DISCRETE ELEMENT METHOD (DEM) FOR SEGREGATION ANALYSIS OF GRANULAR MATERIALS: ANALYSIS OF STOCKPILE FORMED BY CONVEYOR BELT

Abstract

Particles that have the same or similar physical properties and are subject to some dynamic states, tend to segregate or form groups of clusters. Segregation is common in many industries where there is processing, handling and transport of granular materials and it has many undesirable effects. In this study, an analysis was made for locating and calculating the mechanisms of segregation during the formation of a stockpile by conveyor belt, using the Discrete Element Method (DEM). For the purpose of this paper, two DEM models have been made in which the segregation mechanisms created by the dynamic processes related to the conveyor belt are analyzed and how they will effect on the formation of the stockpile itself. The results of this research indicate the fact that in the absence of easily accessible mechanical tools, DEM analysis is an efficient and inexpensive tool for monitoring and analyzing such processes.