Couette grain flow experiments: The effects of the coefficient of restitution, global solid fraction, and materials

Granular flows are complex flows of solid granular material which are being studied in several industries. However, it has been a challenge to understand them because of their non-linear and multiphase behavior. The present experimental work investigates granular flows undergoing shear, by specifically studying the interaction between rough surfaces and granular flows when the global solid fraction and the material comprising the rough shearing surface are varied. A two-dimensional annular shear cell, with a stationary outer ring and inner driving wheel, and digital particle tracking velocimetry (DPTV) technique were used to obtain local granular flow properties such as velocity, local solid fraction, granular temperature, and slip. A customized particle drop test apparatus was built to experimentally determine the coefficient of restitution (COR) between the granular and surface materials using high-speed photography. Results showed that wheel surface materials that produce higher COR values exhibit higher velocity and granular temperature values near the wheel, and lower slip velocities. The local solid fraction appears inversely related to the COR values. The global solid fraction seemed to correspond with velocity and granular temperature, while displaying an inverse relationship to slip. Results also showed an initial decrease in the kinetic energy of the flow as the global solid fraction increased, due to the formation of a distinct contact region. This was followed by a rise in kinetic energy as the global solid fraction continued to increase, based on the increase of particles present in the kinetic region of the flow.