Simulation of ellipsoidal particle flow in rectangular hopper with discrete element method

Discrete element method (DEM) was developed to simulate the ellipsoidal particles flow in the hopper. The ellipsoidal particle was described by three overlapping spheres. Contact force and gravity force were considered when establishing the model. In addition, wall normal pressure and velocity distribution of ellipsoidal and spherical particles were investigated. The results show that the wall normal pressure for two kinds of particles has a peak value at the transition from the vertical section to the slope wall. The horizontal pressure distribution always fluctuation and the pressure at edges are a little larger than in the centre sometimes. The velocity of ellipsoidal particles is smaller than that of spherical particles.