Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Experimental and numerical investigation of the bulk behavior of wood pellets on a model type grate

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Granular Matter Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Transport and storage equipment for wood pellets can in theory be readily improved through simulation approaches like the discrete element method. However, scientific investigations verifying the applicability of the discrete element method in case of non-spherical particles are still limited. The sensitivity of simulations on the size and shape approximation of particles and mixing and segregation behavior are not well studied. These issues are addressed in the current paper. For a model type grate system experimental and numerical investigations of the mixing behavior of wood pellets under different motion patterns are performed. Results indicate that the discrete element method is well capable of representing experimentally obtained results. Altering the representation of the size distribution has impact on the segregation behavior, but does not strongly impact the overall mixing tendencies.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Van Loo, S., Koppejan, J.: The Handbook of Biomass Combustion and Co-firing. EarthScan, London (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  2. Saidur, R., Abdelaziz, E.A., Demirbas, A., Hossain, M.S., Mekhilef, S.: A review on biomass as a fuel for boilers. Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev. 15(5), 2262–2289 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Rhodes, J.S., Keith, D.W.: Biomass with capture: negative emissions within social and environmental constraints: an editorial comment. Clim. Change 87(3–4), 321–328 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Wu, M.R., Schott, D.L., Lodewijks, G.: Physical properties of solid biomass. Biomass Bioenergy 35(5), 2093–2105 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Kaltschmitt, M., Hartmann, H., Hofbauer, H.: Energie aus Biomasse: Grundlagen, Techniken und Verfahren. Springer, Berlin (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  6. Latham, J.P., Munjiza, A.: The odeling of particle systems with real shapes. Philos. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. Ser. A. Math. Phys. Eng. Sci. 362(1822), 1953–1972 (2004)

    Article  MathSciNet  ADS  MATH  Google Scholar 

  7. Zhu, H., Zhou, Z., Yang, R., Yu, A.: Discrete particle simulation of particulate systems: Theoretical developments. Chem. Eng. Sci. 62, 3378–3396 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Sudbrock, F., Simsek, E., Wirtz, S., Scherer, V.: An experimental analysis of mixing and stoking of monodisperse spheres on a grate. Powder Technol. 198(1), 29–37 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Cundall, P.A., Strack, O.D.L.: A discrete numerical model for granular assemblies. Geotechnique 29, 47–65 (1979)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Munjiza, A., Latham, J.P., John, N.W.M.: 3D dynamics of discrete element systems comprising irregular discrete elements, integration solution for finite rotations in 3D. Int. J. Numer. Methods Eng. 56, 35–55 (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  11. Favier, J.F., Abbaspour-Fard, M.H., Kremmer, M., Raji, A.O.: Shape representation of axisymmetrical, non-spherical particles in discrete element simulation using multi-element model particles. Eng. Comput. 16(4), 467–480 (1999)

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  12. Favier, J.F., Abbaspour-Fard, M.H., Kremmer, M.: Modeling nonspherical particles using multisphere discrete elements. J. Eng. Mechanics-ASCE 127(10), 971–977 (2001)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Abou-Chakra, H., Baxter, J., Tuzun, U.: Three-dimensional particle shape descriptors for computer simulation of non-spherical particulate assemblies. Adv. Powder Technol. 15(1), 63–77 (2004)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Rougier, E., Munjiza, A., Latham, J.P.: Shape selection menu for grand scale discontinua systems. Eng. Comput. 21(2/3/4), 343–359 (2004)

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  15. Sudbrock, F., Simsek, E., Rickelt, S., Wirtz, S., Scherer, V.: Discrete element analysis of experiments on mixing and stoking of monodisperse spheres on a grate. Powder Technol. 208(1), 111–120 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Kruggel-Emden, H., Simsek, E., Rickelt, S., Wirtz, S., Scherer, V.: Review and extension of normal force models for the discrete element method. Powder Technol. 130(3), 157–173 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Kruggel-Emden, H., Stepanek, F., Munjiza, A.: A study on adjusted contact force laws for accelerated large scale Discrete Element Simulations. Particuology 8, 161–175 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Kruggel-Emden, H., Wirtz, S., Scherer, V.: A study on tangential force laws applicable to the discrete element method (DEM) for materials with viscoelastic or plastic behavior. Chem. Eng. Sci. 63(6), 1523–1541 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Höhner, D., Wirtz, S., Kruggel-Emden, H., Scherer, V.: Comparison of the multi-sphere and polyhedral approach to simulate non-spherical particles within the Discrete Element Method: Influence on temporal force evolution for multiple contacts. Powder Technol. 208, 643–656 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Lorenz, M.O.: Methods of Measuring the Concentration of Wealth. Publications of the American Statistical Association 9(70), 209–219 (1905)

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Energy Plant Technology (LEAT), Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Ruhr-University Bochum, Universitätsstraße 150, Bochum, 44780, Germany

    H. Kruggel-Emden, F. Sudbrock, S. Wirtz & V. Scherer

Authors
  1. H. Kruggel-Emden
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. F. Sudbrock
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. S. Wirtz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. V. Scherer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to H. Kruggel-Emden.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kruggel-Emden, H., Sudbrock, F., Wirtz, S. et al. Experimental and numerical investigation of the bulk behavior of wood pellets on a model type grate. Granular Matter 14, 681–693 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10035-012-0376-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10035-012-0376-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation