Size segregation of binary granular materials in vertical channel flows

Author: Beatty, Susan M.

Year: 1993

Degree: Engineer's thesis

Advisors: Hunt, Melany L.; Brennen, Christopher E.; Acosta, Allan J.

Committee Member: Unknown, Unknown

Option: Mechanical Engineering

DOI: 10.7907/cnvy-9k28

Abstract

This experimental research investigates transverse particle segregation in a binary mixture of spherical particles in air. in a gravity driven. vertical channel flow. Glass beads with similar properties, except for size and color, are randomly mixed in an upper hopper at the entrance of a vertical channel. When roughened channel walls are employed. particles show segregation by size, with a preferred position of larger particles at the centerline and approximately 80% of the distance between the centerline and the side walls. The concentration of the particles is found based on grey-scale color distribution as recorded by an image processing system. The effects of variations in flow rate. wall surface conditions, mixture ratios and channel width on segregation are studied as a function of downstream distance.

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