Discrete element method modeling of corn-shaped particle flow in rectangular hopper

Abstract

Discrete element method (DEM) was developed to simulate the corn-shaped particles flow in the hopper. The corn-shaped particle was described by four overlapping spheres. Contact force and gravity force were considered when establishing the model. In addition, flowing characteristic of particles in the hopper was studied. The effect of friction coefficient on the wall pressure, voidage and velocity distribution was analyzed. The results show that the discharge rate decreases with the friction coefficient increasing; and the "over-pressure" phenomenon occurs in the discharging process for two different friction coefficients. The voidage also increases as the friction coefficient increasing. And the velocity distribution is more uniformity and is closer to the mass flow with the friction coefficient deceasing.