Particle dynamics in vertical vibration-driven immersed granular systems: A study with resolved computational fluid dynamics-discrete element method

Vibration-driven immersed granular systems (VIGSs) are ubiquitous in nature and industry. However, particle dynamics in 3D VIGSs is hard to obtain directly from experiments. The resolved Computational Fluid Dynamics-Discrete Element Method (CFD-DEM) is introduced to study a cylindrical VIGS subjected to vertical vibration focusing on particle dynamics. A Voronoi-weighted Gaussian interpolation (VWGI) method is used to convert the discrete particle information into a continuous field. The VWGI method enables the estimation of the continuous field for granular systems, especially for those with large-scale non-uniformity and heterogeneity particle distribution in local cells. The results show that the periodic variation of the system's kinetic energy is caused by the collision between the lower particles and the vibrating wall, and the particle kinetic energy decreases with height rising. A velocity spatial structure of convection, moving from the cylinder center to the sidewall, is observed in both immersed and dry systems away from the bottom. Vibration-driven particles can exhibit a similar flow structure to natural convection. Compared to the dry system, the convection strength and momentum transfer in the VIGS are higher, while the momentum diffusion is lower. The fluid restrains the particle energy acquisition and enhances the energy dissipation of the “heated” particles, while the formation of the fluid convection benefits the particle convection directionality. This resolved CFD-DEM study with the VWGI method provides useful results of the particle dynamics in VIGSs, which could provide guidance for some practical applications in minerals processing involving vibration-driven immersed granular systems.