(418t) Rate-Based Separation of Cohesive Particles

Achieving an efficient separation of individual components in a granular mixture is as much of a challenge as achieving a complete mixture, particularly, when dealing with non-invasive methods. This study focuses on separation of cohesive particle flow via vibration. Separation is therefore the outcome of the combined effect of capillary and viscous forces on particle-particle as well as particle-wall interactions due to the fluid presence, and the kinetic energy due to the vibration.  We will analyze the importance of fluid selection, based on its properties, and how it relates to the vibrational velocity of the bed in order to attain effective separation. Particle Dynamics (PD) simulations will be used as a means of demonstrating the validity of the theory and determining the optimal separation parameters, in order to ultimately corroborate results experimentally.