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DEM investigation on effect of internal pipe on active layer characterization in a drum

  • Yong Zhang EMAIL logo , Guoqing Chen and Baosheng Jin
Published/Copyright: March 24, 2025
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International Journal of Chemical Reactor Engineering
From the journal International Journal of Chemical Reactor Engineering Volume 23 Issue 2

Abstract

The incorporation of internal pipes is recognized as effective strategy to augment the heat transfer area within an externally heated drum, but their presence can substantially alter the granular flow dynamics, potentially affecting the thermal and mass transfer processes. This study utilizes the Discrete Element Method (DEM) to analyze the interaction between an internal pipe and particles within a rotary drum. The focus is on how the pipe diameter, position, and rotational speed affect the active layer’s proportion, velocity distribution, active-passive boundary dynamics, and particle diffusion coefficient. Based on the observed flow phenomena, the rolling flow pattern within a free drum is further divided into several sub-patterns. The results demonstrate that the presence of an internal pipe divides the bed into five distinct flow patterns: Single-Cycle, Dual-Cycle, Triple-Cycle, Slumping-Rolling and Moving-Bed flow mode. When the pipe is positioned within the active layer and its diameter is smaller than the maximum thickness of the active layer in a free drum, the bed is inclined to develop a Dual-Cycle mode. In this mode, an increase in pipe diameter results in an increase in the time-averaged proportion of the active layer but a decrease in velocity and diffusion coefficient. Conversely, if the pipe’s diameter is larger, a Slumping-Rolling flow structure emerges, leading to a decrease in the active layer’s time-averaged proportion, velocity, and diffusion coefficient. As the pipe is moved from the active-passive interface towards the drum wall, the bed undergoes a transition from Single-Cycle and Triple-Cycle modes to Moving-Bed flow mode. During this transition, there is an initial rise followed by a notable drop in the time-averaged proportion, velocity, and diffusion coefficient of the active layer. Additionally, increasing the rotational speed does not alter the Triple-Cycle pattern but promotes the expansion of the active layer’s volume and enhances particle activity.

Keywords: active layer; internal pipe; flow regime; rotating drum; DEM
Corresponding author: Yong Zhang, Key Laboratory of Energy Thermal Conversion and Control of Ministry of Education, School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China, E-mail:

Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge financial support from an Open Project of State Key Laboratory of Clean and Efficient Coal-fired Power Generation and Pollution Control (D2022FK100).

  1. Research ethics: Not applicable.

  2. Informed consent: Not applicable.

  3. Author contributions: All authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.

  4. Use of Large Language Models, AI and Machine Learning Tools: None declared.

  5. Conflict of interest: All other authors state no conflict of interest.

  6. Research funding: None declared.

  7. Data availability: The data presented in this study are available on request from the corresponding author.

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Received: 2024-10-27
Accepted: 2025-03-10
Published Online: 2025-03-24

© 2025 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston

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https://doi.org/10.1515/ijcre-2024-0216
Keywords for this article
active layer; internal pipe; flow regime; rotating drum; DEM

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Frontmatter
  2. Review
  3. A critical analysis on synthesis of nanofluids and factors affecting thermal conductivity of nanofluids for heat transfer applications: a review
  4. Articles
  5. Improving iron-bearing dust pellets performance through synergistic action of dual-component organic binders: cellulose and starch interactions
  6. Preparation of mesoporous lignin-based aerogels for organic dyes removal
  7. Power generation potential and assessment of producer gas quality from blended rubber shell and palm kernel shell in open core downdraft gasifier
  8. Bi2S3 loaded MXene Ti3C2T x nanosheet with an adsorption-photocatalytic synergistic removal for tetracycline
  9. Preparation of activated carbon from waste tea and its performance in adsorptive desulfurization of model fuel
  10. Study on friction pressure drop characteristics of gas flow through multi-size irregular high-purity magnesia bed layer
  11. Unlocking sustainable cooling: a numerical analysis of ice slurry flow in 180° U-bends-impacts of bend radius/pipe radius ratios and pressure drops on system performance
  12. DEM investigation on effect of internal pipe on active layer characterization in a drum
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