Application of the DEM to screening process:a 3D simulation

The discrete element method(DEM) has been widely used to simulate microscopic interactions between particles.Screening is a deeply complicated process when considering the law of motion for the particles,themselves.In this paper,a numerical model for the study of a particle screening process using the DEM is presented.Special attention was paid to the modeling of a vibrating screen that allows particles to pass through,or to rebound,when approaching the screen surface.Inferences concerning screen length and vibrating frequency as they relate to screening efficiency were studied.The conclusions were:three-dimensional simulation of screening efficiency along the screen length follows an exponential distribution;when the sieve vibrates over a certain frequency range the screening efficiency is stable;and,higher vibration frequencies can improve the handling capacity of the screening machine.