摘要
Pan granulators are widely used in granulation processes;however,the relationship between particle dynamics within the equipment and the underlying agglomeration mechanisms remains not fully understood.To address this,the present study conducted numerical simulations using the Discrete Element Method(DEM)with cohesive contact force models.Various models were evaluated and compared with experimental data to determine the one that best represented the behavior of the granular bed.The selected model,which incorporates the Easo capillarity model for particle-particle interactions and the SJKR adhesion model for particle-wall interactions,yielded satisfactory results.The numerical findings highlighted significant changes in granular flow dynamics when cohesive forces were taken into account.Additionally,the influence of cohesive forces and rotational speeds on residence time distributions(RTD)was analyzed,revealing the presence of a short-circuit effect in all cohesive granular beds.Finally,a new methodology was developed to quantify particle agglomeration.Larger and more numerous agglomerates were observed when the pan granulator operated in rolling or cascading regimes,conditions that were associated with longer residence times and an increased number of particle contacts.
