Analysis, modeling and simulation of quasistatic compressive stressing behavior of bonded model pellets

• Applicant: Dr. Werner Hintz, since 6/2016
• Subject Area: Mechanical Process Engineering
• Term: from 2014 to 2017
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 263732880

The main object of this project is to experimentally investigate, model, and simulate the compression and fracture behaviour of model-pellets with different structures, sizes and shapes. The pelletizing is used in many industries to improve the flow behaviour, the dosage and to reduce the bulk density of various materials. This creates the need to investigate the pellets and their properties thoroughly. Despite the many investigations in the area, there are still many unsolved engineering problems: - unexplained influence of the binder (type, concentration and volume) in the formation process of the pellet properties, - lack of models to describe the deformation of the pellets at mechanical stressing, - unknown influence of the material, size and shape of the pellets at processes of compression and impact. In order to find a suitable solution to these problems, it is necessary to proceed with the experi-mental studies and to develop numerical tools to model the physical state and the mechanical behaviour of regular and random pellet structures. The goal of this project is to acquire a better understanding of the micro-macro interactions in the pellets, to investigate the acting process variables in a pelletizing process and their influence on the pellet properties and to model this influences by Discrete Element Method (DEM) to model. The changes in the model pellets due to the variation of the process parameters such as binder concentration, rotational speed, residence time in the process chamber should be thoroughly analysed. Using the DEM the relationship between the process variables and the particle properties should be modelled and simulated.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Ehemalige Antragsteller: Dr.-Ing. Peter Müller, from 2/2016 until 6/2016; Professor Dr.-Ing. Jürgen Tomas, until 2/2016 (†)