A barrel shape study for a twin-screw conveyor using the Discrete Element Method

IF 4.5 2区工程技术 Q2 ENGINEERING, CHEMICAL

Powder Technology Pub Date : 2025-02-12 DOI:10.1016/j.powtec.2025.120744

D. Rhymer, A. Ingram, C.R.K. Windows-Yule

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Abstract

An effective barrel design is critical for successful material transport in a twin-screw conveyor. However, geometric parameter studies are often overlooked because of their increased complexity over studying scalar parameters due to the cost of manufacturing multiple bespoke components. In recent years, advances in computing power have made simulations an attractive and low-cost method of conducting geometric parameter studies. Here a Discrete Element Method (DEM) study compares the effectiveness of eight barrel geometries in a twin-screw conveyor. The results showed that the industry-accepted figure-of-eight cylinder design was the most effective for particle transport with the greater interaction between the screw and barrel reducing the material throughput time by over 40% compared to other designs. However, alternatives might become attractive if certain specifications were desirable. A design with rounded sides and a flat centre is worse at conveying by 22% compared to the figure-of-eight but there is 15% less net force acting on the particles and similar amounts of mixing. Finally, parameter testing shows that the results will at least be qualitatively consistent across a wide range of the parameter space and should therefore be valid for most materials.

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来源期刊

Powder Technology 工程技术-工程：化工

CiteScore

9.90

自引率

15.40%

发文量

1047

审稿时长

46 days

期刊介绍： Powder Technology is an International Journal on the Science and Technology of Wet and Dry Particulate Systems. Powder Technology publishes papers on all aspects of the formation of particles and their characterisation and on the study of systems containing particulate solids. No limitation is imposed on the size of the particles, which may range from nanometre scale, as in pigments or aerosols, to that of mined or quarried materials. The following list of topics is not intended to be comprehensive, but rather to indicate typical subjects which fall within the scope of the journal's interests: Formation and synthesis of particles by precipitation and other methods. Modification of particles by agglomeration, coating, comminution and attrition. Characterisation of the size, shape, surface area, pore structure and strength of particles and agglomerates (including the origins and effects of inter particle forces). Packing, failure, flow and permeability of assemblies of particles. Particle-particle interactions and suspension rheology. Handling and processing operations such as slurry flow, fluidization, pneumatic conveying. Interactions between particles and their environment, including delivery of particulate products to the body. Applications of particle technology in production of pharmaceuticals, chemicals, foods, pigments, structural, and functional materials and in environmental and energy related matters. For materials-oriented contributions we are looking for articles revealing the effect of particle/powder characteristics (size, morphology and composition, in that order) on material performance or functionality and, ideally, comparison to any industrial standard.