DEM simulation of abrasion of nonspherical particles in tumbling mill

Abrasion is a surface breakage event where irregular surfaces of particles are removed. Abrasion produces rounded particles by comminuting irregular edges. Extensive experimental work has been performed to study abrasion events and their process parameters. Very few studies have used the discrete element method (DEM) to study the abrasion behavior of particles. In this regard, the research work uses the DEM simulation of abrasion of nonspherical particles to study the process parameters in a tumbling mill environment. A 1.1 m diameter and 0.2 m length mill with square-shaped lifters of 30 mm cross section has been simulated. Particle trajectories, collision force, collision energy, and energy spectra are evaluated to understand the effect of surface roughness on abrasion. It was observed that as the asperities of the particle decreases, the rate of abrasion decreases. Based on the energy analysis, it was found that the normal collision force (average 0.4 kN) is larger than the tangential collision force (average 0.09 kN) for the considered case, and hence the former maybe more responsible for the abrasion of particles. Copyrigh