Development of evaluation for sinter ore mixing using discrete element method

Abstract

Recent increase of low-grade, finer iron ore leads to development of powder handling methodology applicable for fine powders. In order to reduce developing time of mechanical facilities, development of optimization methodology of mechanical property in powder mixer was conducted. This methodology was combination of mixing experiment and novel discrete element method (DEM). Conventional DEM tracks particle movements to evaluate mixing of particles; in this model in addition enabled to evaluate moisture content as it tracked exchange of moisture content between particles upon contact. This DEM model was validated in comparison with experimental PIV surface flow and DEM surface flow, in lab-scale (diameter of 390 mm) of high speed shear mixer. Using this method enabled to estimate mixing time of high speed shear mixer with accuracy of t < 10 s where estimation time varied from around 20 to 100 s.

Keywords

• sinter ore
• raw material preprocessing
• powder handling
• dem
• powder mixing
• mixing index