Numerical simulation of granular flow during filling and discharging of a silo

Abstract

In this study, we simulate the static and dynamic processes of granular flow during filling and discharging of a vertical-sided silo with conical hopper bottom. The granular material is an assembly of 7,500 soybeans. Based on the discrete element method, the governing equations for the granular flow are solved by the centred finite difference scheme. The effects of inlet flow rate and bottom angles on pressure distribution on the hopper wall throughout the static process of material filling into the silo are investigated. Influences of bottom angle on the discharging problem in a varied mass-flow silo and a constant mass-flow silo are also discussed. © 2010 Academic Publications.