Study on a large-scale discrete element model for fine particles in a fluidized bed

The discrete element method (DEM) is widely used to comprehend complicated phenomena such as gas–solid flows. This is because the DEM enables us to investigate the characteristics of the granular flow at the particle level. The DEM is a Lagrangian approach where each individual particle is calculated based on Newton’s second law of motion. However, it is difficult to use the DEM to model industrial powder processes, where over a billion particles are dealt with, because the calculation cost becomes too expensive when the number of particles is huge. To solve this issue, we have developed a coarse grain model to simulate the non-cohesive particle behavior in large-scale powder systems. The coarse grain particle represents a group of original particles. Accordingly, the coarse grain model makes it possible to perform the simulations by using a smaller number of calculated particles than are physically present. As might be expected, handling of fine particles involving cohesive force is often required in industry. In the present study, we evolved the coarse grain model to simulate these fine particles. Numerical simulations were performed to show the adequacy of this model in a fluidized bed, which is a typical gas–solid flow situation. The results obtained from our model and for the original particle systems were compared in terms of the transient change of the bed height and pressure drop. The new model can simulate the original particle behavior accurately.