Simulation of dynamic processes on flexible filamentous particles in the transverse section of a rotary dryer and its comparison with ideo-imaging experiments

Dynamic processes of flexible filamentous particles in the transverse section of a flighted rotary dryer were simulated in two dimensions. Particle behavior was modeled by the Discrete Element Method (DEM). Each flexible filamentous particle was treated as chains of rigid bodies connected through ball and socket joints. Thus single-particle behavior was derived from force and torque balances for each segment in a chain, and contour length of each chain was constant with constraints. The bulk movement of particles in the transverse section of a rotary dryer was also investigated. The simulation results indicated that the chain model for flexible filamentous particles could show a variety of realistic features of particles including particle flexibility, irregular equilibrium particle shapes, mechanical contact between particles and multi-particle entanglement. The simulation results on bulk movement of particles were in good agreement with the experimental findings obtained by video-imaging experiments performed in a laboratory rotary drum. Furthermore, the influence of rotational velocity on the azimuth of flight related to dynamic angle of repose was discussed and compared with that of the relative experimental results, reasonable agreements were obtained. Selected stimulation results were obtained and would provide consults for the further study of flexible filamentous particles.