Controlling granular segregation patterns using unsteady flows

Abstract eng:
Unsteady flows of granular materials are ubiquitous yet remain largely unexplored. In this research, we apply unsteady flows to strongly segregating granular materials to control the segregation pattern and enhance mixing. Unsteady flows are generated by feeding size-bidisperse granular mixtures with large size ratios onto a quasi-2D bounded heap using alternating feed rates. With this flow modulation, large particles and small particles form stratified layers, which have better average mixing than the segregated patterns generated by steady feed rates. The mechanisms of layer formation under modulated flow differs from those observed during spontaneous stratification, and are related to changes in the repose angle and flowing layer depth with varying flow rate. The thickness and length of the stratified layers can be controlled by changing the flow rates and feed cycle durations, which is potentially useful for reducing segregation in industrial processes. Funded by NSF Grant CBET-1511450.

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