Applications of Granuleworks
Mixing
Rotary mixer, high-speed mixer, screw mixer, ribbon mixer, V blender, etc.
Conveying
Merging ducts, flight conveyors, vibrating conveyors, screw conveyors, etc.
Storage
Storage and segregation phenomena in a hopper, etc.
Filling
Filling phenomenon in a mold, etc.
Heat Transfer
Dryer with heating tubes, etc
Kneading and Dispersion of Powders and Fluids
[Coupled simulation by Granuleworks and Particleworks]
[Coupled simulation by Granuleworks and Particleworks]
Paddle kneader, etc.
Mixing
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High Speed Mixer 1Simulating the mixing process in which the fine powder with cohesiveness to be mixed uniformly. The tendency of the aggregates to be unraveled is captured by the agitator (horizontal blade) that promotes convective/diffusive mixing and the chopper (vertical blade) that promotes shear mixing.
*The right image shows the aggregates only. |
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Ribbon MixerMixing simulation of a ribbon mixer, which is generally used for smooth fluid-like powder mixing without adhesion or cohesiveness. The simulation result explicitly shows the tendency of evenly mixed condition by convection.
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Screw Mixer |
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Rotary-type Mixer 1Mixing simulation that mixes mildly without applying strong force to powder. The simulation result captures the tendency that the internal flight promotes mixing.
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Rotary-type Mixer 2Simulation of mixing two types of particles with different particle size. Compared with experiments for validation, it was confirmed that the simulation result (i.e. behavior of particles and the degree of mixing) matches with the experiment data with high accuracy.
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V BlenderMixing simulation that represents the behavior of mild mixing without applying strong force to powder.
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Conveying
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Pipe Junction FlowSimulating the flow at a pipe junction with complex ducts that convey powder and granules.
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Flight ConveyorSimulating a flight-type conveyor widely used for conveying powder.
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Vibrating ConveyorSimulating fine particles moving up a path due to slight vibration.
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Screw ConveyorSimulating the conveying of sticky powder after dehydration of slurry. Although the twin screw cuts out the powder, the simulation indicates that the powder is accumulated in the duct below and will eventually block it up.
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Storage
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Granular Flow through a HopperSimulation to evaluate the mass flow in the powder storage tank. The powder is colored in the form of stripes for visual representation. The simulation result indicates the right funnel has a uniform flow due to the rectifying cone inside, when the left one has a typical funnel flow.
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Filling
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Powder Filling Simulation into a MoldSimulating a series of processes in which high stress is applied to powder to form it. The simulation result indicates the segregation, which is considered to affect the finished product quality.
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Heat Transfer
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Dryer with Heating TubesSimulation of heating powder. It represents how the temperature of the powder that contacts the heat source (i.e. the heating pipes placed inside the cylindrical container) rises due to heat transfer.
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Kneading and Dispersion of Powders and Fluids
[Coupled simulation by Granuleworks and Particleworks]
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Paddle KneaderHere is a process of moisture control of powder using a paddle kneader. High-viscosity liquid is added while the powder is stirred, and it is shown how the liquid is evenly mixed with the powder. Dispersion of the liquid into the powder is a difficult operation, but the result of this simulation also shows that the liquid does not disperse sufficiently, resulting in adhesion of the liquid to the wall.
Above：Evaluating thermal distribution, fluid distribution, mixing index, etc.
Below：CG rendering based on the simulation result |
Simulation of Various Phenomena Using DEM
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Snow Adhesion and Accumulation on a WallThe simulation result represents the behavior of snow adhering to the wall surface, growing, and then falling under by its own weight.
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Simulation of granule segregation in containers due to vibration during transportationWhen transporting products that contain a mixture of granules of different sizes and shapes, vibration can cause the granules to segregate in the containers. As a result, what is originally expected to be a uniform mixture to achieve the desired effect may become unsuitable. In this example, how to prevent such segregation of granule products by changing the design of the container is studied.
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Segregation Phenomena in a HopperSimulating segregation phenomena that occur in powder deposited by gravity. The red particles have a large diameter size, while white ones have a smaller particle size. The typical segregation phenomenon is as shown in the left. The right one shows a particular segregation that occurs under certain conditions.
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Granular Convection in a Vibrating DeviceSimulation of granular convection, also known as “Brazil nut effect”, in which large particles rise in the layer. A familiar example of this phenomenon is seen in a bag of muesli.
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Concrete Flow Simulation with Aggregate
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