CPFD simulation on angle of repose with hopper geometries and particle properties

The dynamic angle of repose was simulated by computational particle fluid dynamics (CPFD) when particles were continuously falling. CPFD simulation variables were fitted by comparing the angle of repose with the experimental data and P-s (particle normal stress) variance. Using a fitted simulation, the effect of hopper height (H-h) and hopper inlet diameter (D-in) on the angle of repose was investigated. As H-h increased, the angle of repose decreased up to the height at which the particle velocity reached terminal velocity. Also, as D-in/D-hopper decreased, the descending area of the particle was increased, following an increase in the angle of repose from 11 degrees to 53 degrees. The design of a hopper based on the obtained results shows that the particle discharge rate of the hopper can be increased by about 2.5 times.

Automated summary

The dynamic angle of repose during continuous falling particles was simulated using computational particle fluid dynamics (CPFD). The effect of hopper height and hopper inlet diameter on the angle of repose was investigated. The results show that increasing hopper height reduces the angle of repose, while decreasing the inlet diameter increases the descending area of particles and thus increases the angle of repose. The designed hopper based on these results can significantly increase the particle discharge rate.