Experimental investigation on dynamics and mixing of flexible biomass particles

doi:10.3785/j.issn.1008-973X.2025.11.007

Journal of ZheJiang University (Engineering Science)

2025, Vol. 59

Issue (11): 2285-2292 DOI: 10.3785/j.issn.1008-973X.2025.11.007

Experimental investigation on dynamics and mixing of flexible biomass particles

Dandan XU1(

),Enke JIANG1,Jun ZHU1,Yu GUO2

1. College of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310023, China
2. School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China

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Abstract

Experimental studies were conducted to analyze dynamics and mixing behavior of the tobacco particles in a rotating drum by using fibrous tobacco particles as representatives of the biomass particles in order to understand dynamic and mixing behaviors of flexible biomass particles. Dynamic angle of repose (AoR) and Lacey index were determined by using image process method in order to respectively quantify flowability and extent of mixing. Effects of some critical parameters were analyzed. Results showed that an increase in the material fill ratio led to a reduction in both AoR and mixing rate. Augments in the particle-wall friction coefficient and rotational velocity in the considered ranges showed slight impacts on AoR, while they remarkably enhanced the mixing rate. Installation of rods on the internal surface of the drum increased AoR, and the mixing rate was maximized by installing the rods with optimal number and length.

Key words： biomass particle flexible fiber granular mixing granular flow rotating drum image process

Received: 01 October 2024 Published: 30 October 2025

CLC:

TK124

Fund: 国家自然科学基金资助项目(12372250).

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	Dandan XU
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Cite this article:

Dandan XU,Enke JIANG,Jun ZHU,Yu GUO. Experimental investigation on dynamics and mixing of flexible biomass particles. Journal of ZheJiang University (Engineering Science), 2025, 59(11): 2285-2292.

URL:

https://www.zjujournals.com/eng/10.3785/j.issn.1008-973X.2025.11.007 OR https://www.zjujournals.com/eng/Y2025/V59/I11/2285

柔性生物质颗粒运动混合的实验研究

为了深入理解柔性生物质颗粒的运动混合行为，选取纤维状烟丝颗粒为代表，开展旋转滚筒内烟丝颗粒的运动混合的实验研究. 采用图像处理的方法，确定动态休止角(AOR)和莱西混合指数，分别量化标定颗粒运动形态和混合程度. 开展关键参数的分析，发现颗粒填充度的增加会引起动态休止角和混合速率降低. 在当前考察的参数值范围内，滚筒内壁摩擦系数和滚筒转速的增加虽然对动态休止角的影响不大，但是会引起颗粒混合速率的显著增加. 在滚筒内壁安装耙钉，会显著增大动态休止角；采用适当的耙钉数量和长度，可以实现较大的颗粒混合速率.

关键词： 生物质颗粒, 柔性纤维, 颗粒混合, 颗粒流, 旋转滚筒, 图像处理

Fig.1 Size and shape characterization of tobacco particle

Fig.2 Schematic diagram of experimental set-up of rotating drum

Fig.3 Procedure to determine dynamic angle of repose for dynamic particle bed using image processing method

Fig.4 Procedure to determine Lacey mixing index using image processing method

Fig.5 Time evolution of dynamic angle of repose with different material fill ratio in small drum (R = 92 mm)

Fig.6 Average dynamic angle of repose varying with material fill ratio in drum of different size

Fig.7 Particle mixing process at different material fill ratio in small drum (R = 92 mm, ω = 9 r/min, μ = 1.0)

Fig.8 Effect of drum size and material fill ratio on granular mixing

Fig.9 Average dynamic angle of repose varying with particle-wall friction coefficient for drum of different size

Fig.10 Effect of particle-wall friction coefficient on granular mixing

Fig.11 Average dynamic angle of repose varying with rotational velocity for drum of different size

Fig.12 Combined effect of rotational velocity and size of drum on granular mixing rate

Fig.13 Snapshot of mixing of tobacco particles in drum with 3 rods installed on its internal surface

Fig.14 Effect of number of installed rod on granular dynamics and mixing

Fig.15 Effect of length of installed rod on granular dynamics and mixing


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