Cellular Automata (CA) Modeling of Granular Flows

In solids processing applications such as pharmaceutical production, food processing, and coal processing, the ability to accurately predict particle flows can improve process efficiency and product effectiveness. The "gold standard" for the modeling and prediction of granular flows is the discrete element method (DEM), which provides a rigorous physical treatment of particle interactions. One possible supplement to DEM-based analysis is lattice-based cellular automata (CA). CA provides a platform for obtaining fast predictions by pairing rule-based mathematics with high-fidelity physics to rapidly model physical processes. The present work develops two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) physics-based CA granular flow frameworks and models. The predictive capabilities and accuracy of the CA models are tested and validated against experimental shear flow results from the granular shear cell (GSC).
cellular automata
PFTL Research Assistant(s):   Martin C. Marinack Jr.; Aditya Bhandaru; Deepak C. Patil
Method(s) Employed:   Cellular Automata Modeling
Rig(s) and/or Software(s) Employed:   Mathematica, C++
Sponsor(s):   NSF Graduate Research Fellowship

Sample Results:

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Select PFTL References:

Marinack Jr., M.C., Higgs III, C.F., 2011, "The Inclusion of Friction in Lattice-Based Cellular Automata Modeling of Granular Flows," ASME Journal of Tribology, 133(3), pp. 031302-1-031302-13.

Marinack Jr., M.C., Higgs III, C.F., 2011, "A Friction Inclusive Cellular Automata Approach for Modeling Kinetic and Transitional Granular Flows," Proceedings of the ASME/STLE International Joint Tribology Conference 2011, Los Angeles, CA.

Jasti, V.K., Higgs III, C.F., 2010, "A Fast First Order Model of a Rough Annular Shear Cell using Cellular Automata", Granular Matter, 12(1): pp. 97-106.

Marinack Jr., M.C., Jasti, V. J., Higgs III, C.F., 2009, "Including Friction and Spin Rules in the Lattice-Based Cellular Automata Approach to Model Granular Flows," Proceedings of the ASME/STLE International Joint Tribology Conference 2009, Memphis, TN.

Jasti, V.K., HiggsIII, C.F., 2006, "A Lattice-Based Cellular Automata Modeling Approach for Granular Flow Lubrication", Journal of Tribology, 128(2): p. 358.