Simulation of flip-flow screening adhesive organic fertilizer particles based on DEM-MBD coupling method

Abstract For screening adhesive organic fertilizer particles, a Discrete Element Method (DEM) and Multi-Body Dynamics (MBD) coupling model of screening adhesive organic fertilizer particles using a flip-flow screen is established. Then, the velocity, the distribution and the trajectory of the particles during the screening process are observed. Finally, the effects of the surface energy γ , the rotational speed n , the tensional amount ∆ l and the feed rate M are investigated. The results show that the flip-flow screen could provide a high velocity for depolymerization of agglomerated particles and separation of adhesive particles from the screen panels, so adhesive organic fertilizer particles can be successfully screened by using the flip-flow screen and organic fertilizer particles in an easily absorbed range are obtained. With the increase of γ , both the flow rate and the screening efficiency decrease. With the increase of n , both first increase and then slightly decrease. With the increase of ∆ l , both increase at a low n , or slightly decrease at a high n . With the increase of M , the screening efficiency decreases, while the total flow rate first increases and then decreases. Through adjusting n , ∆ l , M , flip-flow screen can also be used to screen other adhesive particles.