Aggregation and breakage dynamics of alumina particles under shear by coupled Computational Fluid Dynamics – Discrete Element Method

Abstract

Hypothesis: Shear affects simultaneous aggregation and fragmentation of fine particles. Understanding the effect of shear on the dynamics of particle aggregation and break-up is important to predict aggregate size and structure. It is hypothesized that there is a transition from pure breakage of large aggregates to regimes where restructuring and aggregation also play a role as aggregates become smaller. Simulations: Here, aggregation and fragmentation dynamics of alumina particles are investigated under laminar shear flow using Discrete Element Method (DEM) coupled with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). The effect of the shear rate on the aggregation and breakage rates is quantified accou..