Design method of a vertical screw conveyor based on Taylor–Couette–Poiseuille stable helical vortex

Abstract

This article investigates gas–solid two-phase flow in a vertical screw conveyor and analyzes the distribution function of the circumferential velocity of particles in the radial direction. Theoretical analysis combined with EDEM+FLUENT simulation analysis is performed to determine the best fill rate, the best screw speed, and critical Reynolds number when Taylor–Couette–Poiseuille flow stable helical vortex forms in the vertical screw conveyor. The formula for the critical Reynolds number and the best throughput is determined under different friction coefficients to establish an efficient design method based on Taylor–Couette–Poiseuille stable helical vortex flow. The method greatly benefits the design of vertical screw conveyors.