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Research Interests:
Segregation in 3D Binary Rapid Granular Flow
Research Summary:
Size segregation of flowing or shaking grains is commonly observed in
industrial processes and nature. Besides size, segregation can arise as a
consequence of differences in other grain properties, such as, shape, mass,
fraction, and coefficient of restitution. Many mechanisms may be responsible
for segregation. Spatial gradients in mixture granular temperature as a
driving force for segregation has been the focus of previous studies.
However, if the assumption of equipartition of energy is lifted, then
another driving force for segregation arises: spatial gradients in species
granular temperature.
Initially, I will be assessing some of the existing 3D kinetic theories
of binary mixtures for simple shear flow by comparing the results from
theory to the results from molecular dynamic simulations. Specifically, how
the various assumptions, namely, equipartition of energy and Maxwellian
velocity distribution impact stress predictions will be examined. The
ability of those theories, which do not assume equipartition of energy, to
predict the energy nonequipartition (energy of the individual species) will
also be studied.
In the case of simple shear flow, no size segregation will occur because
of a constant granular temperature across the domain. Therefore, these
theories will also be assessed for the case of segregating flows. The impact
of the equipartition of energy assumption on the ability of a theory to
predict segregation will be examined.
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