Regimes of segregation and mixing in combined size and density granular systems: An experimental study

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153 Scopus citations

Abstract

Granular segregation in a rotating tumbler occurs due to differences in either particle size or density, which are often varied individually while the other is held constant. Both cases present theoretical challenges; even more challenging, however, is the case where density and size segregation may compete or reinforce each other. The number of studies addressing this situation is small. Here we present an experimental study of how the combination of size and density of the granular material affects mixing and segregation. Digital images are obtained of experiments performed in a half-filled quasi-2D circular tumbler using a bi-disperse mixture of equal volumes of different sizes of steel and glass beads. For particle size and density combinations where percolation and buoyancy both contribute to segregation, either radial streaks or a "classical" core can occur, depending on the particle size ratio. For particle combinations where percolation and buoyancy oppose one another, there is a transition between a core composed of denser beads to a core composed of smaller beads. Mixing can be achieved instead of segregation if the denser beads are also bigger and if the ratio of particle size is greater than the ratio of particle density. Temporal evolution of these segregated patterns is quantified in terms of a "segregation index" (based on the area of the segregated pattern) and a "shape index" (based on the area and perimeter of the segregated pattern).

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)69-81
Number of pages13
JournalGranular Matter
Volume7
Issue number2-3
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2005

Keywords

  • Granular flow
  • Granular materials
  • Mixing Segregation
  • Organization

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Materials Science
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • General Physics and Astronomy

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