This thesis presents a computational framework that models the coupled behavior between sand deposits and their surrounding fluid. Particle deposits that form in gas turbine engines and industrial burners, can change flow dynamics and heat transfer, leading to performance degradation and impacting durability. The proposed coupled framework allows insight into the coupled behavior of sand deposits at high temperatures with the flow, which has not been available previously. The coupling is done by using a CFD-DEM framework in which a physics based collision model is used to predict the post-collision state-of-the-sand-particle. The collision model is sensitive to temperature dependent material properties of sand. Particle deposition is determined by the particle's softening temperature and the calculated coefficient of restitution of the collision. The multiphase treatment facilitates conduction through the porous deposit and the coupling between the deposit and the fluid field. The coupled framework was first used to model the behavior of softened sand particles in a laminar impinging jet flow field. The temperature of the jet and the impact surface were varied(T^* = 1000 – 1600 K), to observe particle behavior under different temperature conditions. The Reynolds number(Rejet = 20, 75, 100) and particle Stokes numbers (Stp = 0.53, 0.85, 2.66, 3.19) were also varied to observe any effects the particles' responsiveness had on deposition and the flow field. The coupled framework was found to increase or decrease capture efficiency, when compared to an uncoupled simulation, by as much as 10% depending on the temperature field. Deposits that formed on the impact surface, using the coupled framework, altered the velocity field by as much as 130% but had a limited effect on the temperature field. Simulations were also done that looked at the formation of an equilibrium deposit when a cold jet impinged on a relatively hotter surface, under continuous particle injection. An equilibrium deposit was found to form as deposited particles created a heat barrier on the high temperature surface, limiting more particle deposition. However, due to the transient nature of the system, the deposit temperature increased once deposition was halted. Further particle injection was not performed, but it can be predicted that the formed deposit would begin to grow again. Additionally, a Large-Eddy Simulation (LES) simulation, with the inclusion of the Smagorinsky subgrid model, was performed to observe particle deposition in a turbulent flow field. Deposition of sand particles was observed as a turbulent jet (Re jet=23000,T_jet^*= 1200 K) impinged on a hotter surface(T_surf^*= 1600 K). Differences between the simulated flow field and relevant experiments were attributed to differing jet exit conditions and impact surface thermal conditions. The deposit was not substantive enough to have a significant effect on the flow field. With no difference in the flow field, no difference was found in the capture efficiency between the coupled and decoupled frameworks. / Master of Science

<p dir="ltr">During agricultural production, grain damage is a persistent problem that reduces grain quality. The goal of this study is to develop mechanics-based models that can accurately predict grain damage caused by mechanical handling processes and validate the models with lab-scale and industrial-scale test systems.</p><p dir="ltr">A discrete element method (DEM) simulation was developed to predict the impact damage of corn kernels in a Stein breakage tester. The DEM model relied on an empirically generated, three-parameter Weibull distribution describing the damage probability of repeated impacts. It was found that the DEM model was able to give good predictions on the kernel damage fraction for different sample sizes and operating times. The root-mean-square deviation between the damage fractions acquired from the simulation and experiment is 0.05. A sensitivity analysis was performed to study the effects of material and interaction properties on damage fraction. It was found that damage resistance parameters, coefficients of restitution, and particle shape representation had a significant effect on damage fraction. The statistics of the number of contacts and impact velocity were collected in the simulation to interpret the results of sensitivity analysis at the contact level. The locations where the damage occurs on the particle and in the operating device were also predicted by the model.</p><p dir="ltr">In addition to impact damage, another major type of grain damage is compression damage caused by mechanical harvesting and handling processes. A mechanistic model was developed to predict the compression damage of corn kernels using the DEM. The critical model input parameters were determined using a combination of single kernel direct measurements and bulk kernel calibration tests. The Young's modulus was measured with a single kernel compression test and verified with a bulk kernel compression test. An innovative approach was proposed to calibrate the average failure stress using a bulk kernel compression test. After implementation of the model, a validation test was performed using a Victoria mill. Comparing the simulation and the experimental results demonstrated that the simulation gave a good prediction of the damage fraction and the location of the damage when the von Mises stress damage criterion with a variable damage threshold was used. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to study the effects of selected model input parameters, including particle shape, Young's modulus, particle-particle coefficient of friction, particle-boundary coefficient of friction, particle-boundary coefficient of restitution, and damage criterion.</p><p dir="ltr">An industrial-scale handling system was designed and built to validate the DEM-based grain impact damage model. The low moisture content corn and soybean samples were handled through the system at three impeller speed levels and two feed rate levels, and the amount of damage caused by handling was evaluated. DEM simulations with the impact damage model were constructed and run under the corresponding test conditions. The experimental results showed that grain damage increased with increasing impeller speed and decreasing feed rate, which aligned with the model predictions. The simulated damage fraction values were larger than the experimental measurements when the experimentally-measured DEM input parameters were used. The simulation predictions can be significantly improved by decreasing the particle-boundary coefficient of restitution (PB COR). The mean absolute error between the simulation and experimental results decreased from 0.14 to 0.02 for the corn tests and from 0.05 to 0.01 for the soybean tests after the reduction of PB COR.</p><p dir="ltr">The developed damage models can accurately predict the amount of grain damage and the locations where the damage occur within a grain handling system. The models are expected to be useful in providing guidance on designing and operating grain handling processes to minimize kernel damage and, thus, improve grain quality. To further improve the performance of the model, the methods that accurately and efficiently determine the model input parameters need to be explored. In addition, in this work, the models were only applied to corn and soybeans at specific conditions. The applicability of the model to other types of grain, such as rice, or other grain conditions, such as wet corn, should be investigated.</p>

Thermal energy storage (TES) systems based on renewable energy sources (concentrated solar, wind, and photovoltaic etc.) are crucial to reducing dependence on conventional energy generation systems and reducing renewable energy’s intermittent nature. TES can be utilized in conjunction with concentrated solar power (CSP) in particle-based power cycles where the particles can be charged (heat addition) using solar energy and then discharged (heat extraction) using particle-based heat exchangers (HX). Efficient particle based HXs are vital in coupling heat transfer fluid (HTF) from thermal receivers to power cycle working fluid (WF). Heat transfer enhancement is essential for adopting particle-based moving packed-bed heat exchangers (MPBHXs) in next-generation TES systems, as MPBHXs usually exhibit low particle bed-to-wall heat transfer coefficients and total heat transfer rate. This dissertation focuses on addressing the limitations of MPBHXs by computationally studying the heat transfer performance enhancement due to granular flows in metal foam-based MPBHXs and reactive flow-based MPBHXs. Comprehensive multidimensional, multiscale, and multiphysics models are developed to predict the TES/TCES (Thermochemical energy storage) performance accurately. First, the flow properties through metal foams are determined, followed by granular flow through metal foam-based particle-to-sCO2 HXs to predict the heat transfer enhancement. Then, granular flows with reactive and sensible heat-only particles are studied in particle-to-sCO2 HXs to predict the heat transfer enhancement, followed by the development of discrete element models (DEM) in inclined moving bed granular flows to study particle-scale heat and mass transfer. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into effective modeling of granular flows from continuum to discrete scales and improved design and operation of particle-based heat exchangers and thermochemical reactors.

No / The pharmaceutical powder and tableting process is simulated using a combined finite-discrete element method and contact dynamics for irregular-shaped particles. The particle-scale formulation and two-stage contact detection algorithm which has been developed for the proposed method enhances the overall calculation efficiency for particle interaction characteristics. The irregular particle shapes and random sizes are represented as a pseudo-particle assembly having a scaled up geometry but based on the variations of real powder particles. Our simulations show that particle size, shapes and material properties have a significant influence on the behaviour of compaction and deformation.

Granular matter is defined as a collection of particle grains, such as sand.This type of matter have different characteristics (solid, liquid and gas) depending on the energy level per grain. There are several approaches to modeling and numerical simulations of granular matter. They are used by different groups for different purposes, and the choice between the approaches is based on knowledge and tradition rather than what might be best for the purpose. The key questions are when to use what method and what physical quality is lost depending on the choice.Two regimes of discrete element granular simulations emerge: smooth and non-smooth. To compare the efficiency and physical quality of the two approaches, four physics softwares are examined including Bullet Physics, LMGC90, AgX and LIGGGHTS. Test scenes are setup in each software and the results are compared to each other or to the results of other work.The thesis is performed at UMIT Research Lab at Umeå University.

<p>A procedure for calibrating a discrete element (DE) computational soil model for various moisture contents using a conventional Asperity-Spring friction modeling technique is presented in this thesis. The procedure is based on the outcomes of two physical soil experiments:</p> <p>(1) Compression and (2) unconfined shear strength at various levels of normal stress and normal pre-stress. The Compression test is used to calibrate the DE soil plastic strain and elastic strain as a function of Compressive stress. To calibrate the DE inter-particle friction coefficient and adhesion stress as a function of soil plastic strain, the unconfined shear test is used. This thesis describes the experimental test devices and test procedures used to perform the physical terramechanical experiments. The calibration procedure for the DE soil model is demonstrated in this thesis using two types of soil: sand-silt (2NS Sand) and silt-clay(Fine Grain Soil) over 5 different moisture contents: 0%, 4%, 8%, 12%, and 16%. The DE based models response are then validated by comparing them to experimental pressure-sinkage results for circular disks and cones for those two types of soil over 5 different moisture contents. The Mean Absolute  Percentage Error (MAPE) during the compression calibration was 26.9% whereas during the unconfined shear calibration, the MAPE was calculated to be 11.38%. Hence, the overall MAPE was calculated to be 19.34% for the entire calibration phase.</p>

Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: One of the main challenges in using the Discrete Element Method (DEM) is to specify the correct input parameter values. In general, the models are sensitive to the input parameter values and accurate results can only be achieved if the correct values are specified. For the linear contact model, micro parameters such as the particle density, stiffness, coefficient of friction, as well as the particle size and shape distributions are required. Thus, there is a need for a procedure to accurately calibrate these parameters before any attempt can be made to accurately model a complete bulk materials handling system. Since the DEM is often used to model applications in the mining and quarrying industries, a calibration procedure was developed for materials that consist of relatively large (up to 40 mm in size) particles. A coarse crushed aggregate was used as the test material. Using a specially designed large scale shear box, the confined Young’s Modulus and internal friction angle of the material were measured by means of the confined compression test and the direct shear test respectively. The bulk (macro) density and porosity were also measured. The particle size distribution was measured while visual inspection was used to identify the different particle shapes. DEM models of the experimental set-up were developed and the input parameter values were varied iteratively until a close correlation between the experimental and numerical results was achieved. The resulting set of input parameter values were then verified through a series of anchor pull-out and angle of repose experiments and simulations. A good correlation between the experimental and numerical results was observed. In a study, independent of the calibration process, a half fraction factorial design was implemented to quantify the effect of the input parameter values on the bulk properties and to construct multiple linear regression models that relate the parameters to the bulk properties. The results were found to be in accordance with expected bulk behaviour, and can be used to develop advanced DEM calibration strategies. Based on the project outcomes, it was concluded that the developed calibration procedure performed satisfactorily and that the calibrated input parameters allow for the accurate modelling of the coarse aggregate. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Een van die groot uitdagings in die gebruik van die Diskreet Element Metode (DEM) is om die korrekte invoer parameterwaardes te spesifiseer. Die modelle is in die algemeen sensitief vir die invoer parameterwaardes, en akkurate resultate kan slegs verkry word indien die korrekte waardes gespesifiseer word. Mikroparameters soos partikeldigtheid, styfheid, wrywingskoëffisiënt, die partikelgrootte verspreiding asook die partikelvorm verspreiding, word benodig vir die lineêre kontakmodel. ’n Prosedure word dus benodig om hierdie parameters akkuraat te kalibreer alvorens ’n volledige korrelagte materiaalhanteringstelsel akkuraat gemodelleer kan word. Aangesien die DEM gereeld in die modellering van myn- en gruisgroefbedryf toepassings gebruik word, is ’n kalibrasieprosedure ontwikkel vir materiaal wat bestaan uit relatief groot (tot 40 mm in grootte) partikels. Grofgebreekte klippe is as toetsmateriaal gebruik. Deur gebruik te maak van ’n spesiaal ontwerpte grootskaal-skuifboks is die ingeperkte Young se Modulus en die interne wrywingshoek van die materiaal gemeet deur middel van die ingeperkte kompressietoets en die direkte skuiftoets onderskeidelik. Die makro-digtheid en poreusheid is ook gemeet. Die partikelgrootte verspreiding is gemeet terwyl visuele inspeksie gebruik is om die verskillende partikelvorms te identifiseer. DEM modelle van die eksperimentele opstelling is ontwikkel en die invoer parameterwaardes is herhaaldelik gewysig totdat ’n goeie korrelasie verkry is tussen die eksperimentele en numeriese resultate. Die gevolglike stel invoer parameterwaardes is daarna geverifieer deur ’n reeks ankeruittrek- en natuurlike helling eksperimente en simulasies. In ’n studie, onafhanklik van die kalibrasieproses, is die half-fraksie faktoriaalontwerp geïmplementeer om die invoer parameterwaardes se effek op die makro eienskappe te kwantifiseer en om meervoudige lineêre regressiemodelle te ontwikkel wat die parameters met die makro eienskappe verbind. Die resultate was in ooreenstemming met die verwagte makro gedrag en kan gebruik word om gevorderde DEM kalibrasie-strategieë te ontwikkel. Daar is tot die gevolg gekom dat, gebaseer op die projekresultate, die ontwikkelde kalibrasieprosedure bevredigend presteer en dat die gekalibreerde invoer parameters die akkurate modellering van die grofgebreekte klippe toelaat.

Thesis (MEng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The main goal of the thesis is to validate the ability of discrete element methods (DEM) to predict forced granular flow. Granular flow occurs in a broad spectrum of industrial applications. The thesis focuses on earthmoving processes typical of the mining and agricultural industries. Existing soil mechanics soil-tool models are also investigated and general flow behaviour in and around blades and buckets are established. Soil mechanics theories are used to predict the draft forces on a flat blade moving through granular material. Com and wheat grains are used as material. The rupture (slip) lines in front of the blade are predicted by soil mechanics and compared to experimental results. A two-dimensional test bench is used to visualise the flow of the granular material. Forces and moments that act on the tools are measured. DEM can be used to model industrial granular flow with large displacements. Two types of earthmoving equipment are simulated. The first is a flat blade and the second is a bucket. The forces on these tools are determined using DEM and compared to experimental results. The ability of DEM to predict material compressibility, the flow of material in and around the tools, the rupture lines and the bucket fill rate are investigated. A particle relative displacement method is used to determine the rupture lines. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die hoofdoel van die tesis is om die vermoë van diskrete-element-metodes (DEM) om geforseerde partikelvloei te voorspel, te ondersoek. Partikelvloei word aangetref in 'n breë spektrum van industriële toepassings. Die tesis fokus op grondverskuiwing soos aangetref in myn- en landbouprosesse. Bestaande grondmeganika-modelle word ook ondersoek, asook die algemene gedrag van partikelvloei in en rondom lemme en bakke. Die grondmeganika-modelle word hoofsaaklik gebruik om die kragte op lemme te voorspel. Glip (skuif)-vlakke word ondersoek en vergelyk met eksperimentele resultate. 'n Twee-dimensionele toetsbank word gebruik om die vloei waar te neem. Die kragte en momente op die toerusting word ook gemeet. Mielie- en koringpitte word as materiaal gebruik. DEM kan gebruik word om industriële partikelvloei met groot verplasings te modelleer. Twee tipes toerusting word gesimuleer. Die eerste is 'n plat lem en die tweede 'n bak. Die kragte en momente op dié toerusting word bepaal m.b.V. DEM en dan vergelyk met die eksperimentele resultate. Die vermoë van DEM om materiaalsamedrukking, vloeipatrone, glipvlakke en bakvul-tempo's te voorspel word ondersoek. 'n Partikelrelatiewe- verplasings-metode word gebruik om die glipvlakke te voorspel.

Wheel loaders are fundamental construction equipment to assist handling of bulk material e.g. gravel and stones. During digging operations, it withstands forces that are both large and very complicated to predict. Moreover, it is very expensive to develop prototypes of wheel loader for verification. Consequently, the Discrete Element Method (DEM) was introduced for gravel modeling a couple of years ago to enable prediction of these forces. The gravel model is connected with a Multibody System (MBS) model of the wheel loader, in this thesis a Volvo L180G. The co-simulation of these two systems is a very computer intensive operation and hence, it is important to investigate which parameters that have the largest influence on the simulation results. The aim of this thesis is to investigate the simulation sensitivity with respect to co-simulation communication interval, collision detection interval and gravel normal stiffness.The simulation results are verified by comparison with measurement data from previous tests performed by Volvo CE. The simulations are compared to investigate the relevant parameters. The conclusion of this thesis is that DEM is a method that in a very good way can predict the draft forces during digging operations.

An imperative task for successful underground mining is to ensure the stability of underground structures, since it influences the safety, and in turn, the production capacity and economic performance of the mine. This is more so for deep excavations in soft rock which may be under significantly high stresses. In this thesis, stability studies on two tunnels, a horseshoe-shaped and an inverted arch-shaped tunnel, have been presented. The tunnels, running at a depth of 1325 m, are part of the Xiezhuang Coal Mine, in the Xinwen mining area, in China. Using the available information on stratigraphy, geological structures, in-situ stress measurements and geo-mechanical properties of intact rock and discontinuity interfaces, a three-dimensional numerical model has been built using the 3DEC 3-Dimensional Distinct Element Code to simulate the stress conditions around the tunnels. Based on available discontinuity geometry constraints, the rock mass has been modelled as a mixture of a discontinuum medium close to the tunnels and as an equivalent-continuum in the far field. Due to the unavailability of field measurements for rock mass mechanical parameters, the parameters have been estimated by incorporating the available intact rock mechanical properties and field deformation monitoring data into a strength reduction model calibration procedure. This back-analysis (calibration) has been carried out through a pseudo-time dependent support installation routine which incorporates the effect of time through a stress-relaxation mechanism. The results from the back-analysis indicate that the rock mass cohesion, tensile strength, uniaxial compressive strength, and elastic modulus values are about 35-45 % of the corresponding intact rock property values. Additionally, the importance of incorporating stress relaxation before support installation in numerical modeling has been illustrated, for the first time in literature, through the increased support factors of safety and reduced grout failures. The calibrated models have been analyzed for different supported and unsupported cases in an attempt to quantify the effect of supports in stabilizing the tunnels and to estimate the adequacy of the existing supports being used in the mine. A direct outcome is that the findings indicate that longer supports may be better suited for the existing geo-mining conditions around the tunnels since they have fractured zones that are larger than the supports currently in use at the mine. The effects of supports have been demonstrated using changes in deformations and yield zones around the tunnels, and changes in the average factors of safety and grout failures of the supports. The use of longer supports and floor bolting has provided greater stability for the rock masses around the tunnels. A comparison between the closure strains in the two differently shaped tunnels indicates that the inverted arch tunnel may be more efficient in reducing roof sag and floor heave for the existing geo-mining conditions. Additional analyses focusing on parametric sensitivity studies on the rock and joint mechanical properties show that the tunnel stability is highly sensitive to changes in cohesion and internal friction angle of the intact rock, and changes in joint basic friction angle. Tunnel stability is seen to not be very sensitive to changes in intact rock tensile strength and joint shear stiffness for the tunnels being studied. Finally, support optimization studies conducted by studying the effect of changing cable diameters and grout uniaxial compressive strengths on support factors of safety and grout failures show the trade-off that is necessary in selecting cable strength vis-à-vis grout strength. The results indicate that simply increasing either one of cable or grout strength parameters without considering their interactions and compatibilities could be detrimental to the stability of the support system.