A Review of Computational Models for the Flow of Milled Biomass Part I: Discrete-Particle Models

Xia, Yidong; Stickel, Jonathan J.; Jin, Wencheng; Klinger, Jordan

doi:10.1021/acssuschemeng.0c00402

Cited by 39 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 88 publications

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“…Reliable modeling of the flow of the highly compressible granular biomass material is challenging for both particle-based methods (e.g., DEM) and continuum mechanics-based methods (e.g., FEM). For DEM, the computational cost and the quantification of the particle-level contact behavior limit its application . For FEM, mesh tangling is difficult to handle for large deformation, and high-fidelity constitutive models across flow regimes do not exist yet. , The constitutive models (e.g., the classical Mohr–Coulomb model) used for hopper flow simulation in the literature ,− cannot capture the compaction (respectively, dilation) induced hardening (respectively, softening) exhibited by the loblolly pine chips.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Flow and Arching of Biomass Particles in Wedge-Shaped Hoppers

Jin

Klinger

et al. 2021

ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng.

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Poor understanding of the flow behavior of granular biomass material poses great challenges for the bioenergy industry, as the equipment functioning time is significantly reduced by handling issues like screw feeder clogging and hopper arching. In this work, the flow behavior of loblolly pine chips, including the mass flow rate and the critical outlet width, in a wedge-shaped hopper is investigated by combining physical experiments and numerical simulations. Comprehensive characterization of the flow response affected by the two material attributes (initial packing, particle density) and the three operational parameters (hopper outlet width, hopper inclination, and surcharge) is conducted. The results show that the hopper outlet width linearly controls the mass flow rate, while the hopper inclination angle controls the critical outlet size. The packing determines whether the flow is smooth or surging, and the surcharge-induced compaction creates flow impedance. The magnitude of these influences varies from a slender hopper with a low inclination angle to a flat-bottom silo. These findings provide guidance for hopper operation in the material handling industry and shed light on the construction of a novel design method for material handling equipment in biorefineries.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Flow and Arching of Biomass Particles in Wedge-Shaped Hoppers

Jin

Klinger

et al. 2021

ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng.

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“…The method has been applied in numerous areas of science and technology, including physics [26], pharmaceutical science [27], civil engineering [28], and agricultural engineering [29]. This method is a very promising tool for modelling biomass post-harvest processing, including handling [30][31][32], compaction [33], and testing biomass bulk properties [34]. The DEM extended with the bonded particle model (BPM) considerably broadened the range of applicability of the DEM to model the internal structure and breakage of agglomerates composed of numerous particles [35,36].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Breakage Strength of Wood Sawdust Pellets: Measurements and Modelling

Horabik¹,

Bańda²,

Józefaciuk³

et al. 2021

Materials

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Wood pellets are an important source of renewable energy. Their mechanical strength is a crucial property. In this study, the tensile strength of pellets made from oak, pine, and birch sawdust with moisture contents of 8% and 20% compacted at 60 and 120 MPa was determined in a diametral compression test. The highest tensile strength was noted for oak and the lowest for birch pellets. For all materials, the tensile strength was the highest for a moisture content of 8% and 120 MPa. All pellets exhibited a ductile breakage mode characterised by a smooth and round stress–deformation relationship without any sudden drops. Discrete element method (DEM) simulations were performed to check for the possibility of numerical reproduction of pelletisation of the sawdust and then of the pellet deformation in the diametral compression test. The pellet breakage process was successfully simulated using the DEM implemented with the bonded particle model. The simulations reproduced the results of laboratory testing well and provided deeper insight into particle–particle bonding mechanisms. Cracks were initiated close to the centre of the pellet and, as the deformation progressed, they further developed in the direction of loading.

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“…In those lab-scale cases, the discrete element method (DEM) may be the more appropriate modeling approach, as described in a companion article (Part I). 2 However, the high fidelity DEM, which explicitly models the biomass particle morphology and interactions, is computationally expensive. In industrial-scale storage and process equipment, such as silos and screw-conveyors, there can be millions of biomass particles present and thousands of particles spanning any particular gap in the geometry; DEM is not currently an affordable approach for these systems even with the most powerful supercomputers.…”

Section: ■ Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We review recent work to represent biomass particles in the discrete element method (DEM) in a companion paper (Part I). 2 Here, we review advances in continuum-mechanics approaches for modeling granular materials and discuss suitability for milled biomass. The rest of the work is organized as follows.…”

Section: ■ Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Review of Computational Models for the Flow of Milled Biomass Part II: Continuum-Mechanics Models

Jin

Stickel

Xia

et al. 2020

ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng.

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The design of efficient material-handling systems for milled lignocellulosic biomass is challenging due to their complex particle morphologies and frictional interactions. Computational modeling, including the discrete element method (DEM) and continuum-based finite-element/volume methods, may offer scientific insight and predictive capabilities for the flow of milled biomass in hoppers and feeders. This article (Part II) presents a review of current state-of-the-art continuum models for the flow of milled biomass, whereas DEM models are reviewed in a companion article (Part I). Advances of numerical methods to solve the global governing equations are discussed first, followed by a comprehensive review of constitutive models for granular materials, including Drucker–Prager, hypoplastic, Cambridge-type, inertial-rheology, and nonlocal granular fluidity models. Specifically, we provide in-depth discussion on the suitability of those models for milled lignocellulosic biomass materials in terms of nonlinear elasticity, dependence of flow strength on pressure, density and shear rate, and compaction (dilation) associated with hardening (softening). Our study shows that, despite the recent advances in continuum granular flow modeling, the most suitable constitutive models still need further development to account for material parametrization, multiflow regimes, and multiscale behavior before they can be reliably used to optimize the design and operation of biomass handling systems.

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A Review of Computational Models for the Flow of Milled Biomass Part I: Discrete-Particle Models

Cited by 39 publications

References 88 publications

Flow and Arching of Biomass Particles in Wedge-Shaped Hoppers

Flow and Arching of Biomass Particles in Wedge-Shaped Hoppers

Breakage Strength of Wood Sawdust Pellets: Measurements and Modelling

A Review of Computational Models for the Flow of Milled Biomass Part II: Continuum-Mechanics Models

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