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Improved experimental tracking techniques for validating discrete element method simulations of tumbling mills

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Abstract

We report on further developments in the three-dimensional tracking of a particle deep within the tumbling ball charge of an experimental mill. The experimental X-ray program employing the use of bi-planar X-ray angiography now includes the tracking of a typical 6 mm bulk charge particle in three dimensions with a spatial resolution that is accurate to within 0.15 mm. The improved experimental tracking techniques presented were developed for the purpose of generating accurate three-dimensional particle trajectory data against which to validate a numerical method for the simulation of discrete media, namely the discrete element method (DEM). These improvements are complimented with techniques for comparing charge profiles between numerical DEM simulations and three-dimensional experimental trajectory data.

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Govender, I., McBride, A.T. & Powell, M.S. Improved experimental tracking techniques for validating discrete element method simulations of tumbling mills. Experimental Mechanics 44, 593–607 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02428249

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02428249

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