Simulation of soya bean flow in mixed-flow dryers using DEM

Soya bean movement in mixed-flow dryers (MFDs) is explored. A three-dimensional model of soya beans flow was developed applying the discrete element method (DEM) implementation of the Yade software package. To validate the developed model the experiments of the soya beans discharge in small MFD were carried out and the results compared with simulations. Considering the soya bean seeds as single spheres, and using the values of the principal material properties (Poisson coefficient, Young modulus, fraction angle and rolling stiffness) from the literature, satisfactory agreement was obtained between simulated and experimental results with a damping factor value of 0.05. Simulations of continuous flow detected significant non-uniformity in particle velocity and residence time.