Feasibility Analysis of Calcium Carbonate Particle Trajectory Simulation in a Dual Horizontal Shaft Mixer

Abstract

This article aims to investigate the feasibility of using discrete element software EDEM 2022.0 to simulate the trajectory of artificial marble patterns in a dual horizontal shaft mixer. Research was conducted on the mixing uniformity of particles in the mixing chamber, and the optimal speed range for particle mixing was established. By simulating the trajectory of pigment particles, the trajectories of the particles at different positions of the stirring paddle were obtained, and the trajectories were compared with the measured results. In the study of uniform particle mixing, the Lacey index at different speeds was compared, and the optimal speed range was established between 40 RPM and 60 RPM. Based on this, the particle trajectory simulation found that the motion trajectories of particles at different positions of the stirring paddle varied significantly. The particles in the stirring paddle rod exhibit a gradual trend, in which they gradually decrease as they approach the head of the stirring paddle. Finally, the feasibility of this method was established by comparing the simulated and actual patterns through proportional replication of the mixing process, and it was discovered that the two were similar.