Discrete Element Method for Modelling Powders, Particles and Multiphase Flow
Powders and granular materials are ubiquitous, constituting over 75% of raw or intermediate processed materials in industry. Accurately predicting their behaviour remains a significant challenge due to distinctive characteristics like cohesion, arching, segregation, and electrostatics, amongst others. The Discrete Element Method (DEM) is a powerful tool to quantitatively investigate particle assembly dynamics across scales. When coupled with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), it enables the study of highly interactive multi-phase systems.
The objectives of this course are to provide participants with the necessary knowledge to comprehensively understand the fundamentals of DEM and CFD-DEM for dry solids and fluid-particle systems, respectively, enable full awareness of the tool's capabilities and limitations, and offer an overview of current research and future directions.
The course offers:
- Fundamentals: Basic DEM concepts, implementation details, and key material/numerical parameters including calibration.
- Advanced particle modelling: Complex shaped, non-spherical, interlocking, flexible, rigid and breakable particles.
- Fluid-particle systems (CFD-DEM): Hydrodynamics, coupling, drag, buoyancy, and added mass.
- Forces & transport: Cohesive forces (van der Waals, liquid bridges, tribocharging), extraction of continuum properties (stresses/strains), and heat/mass transport.
- Computational efficiency: Speeding up DEM via coarse graining, surrogate modelling (recurrence CFD), and AI/Machine Learning.
- Data analysis & applications: Visualisation of large DEM datasets (HPC) and applications across pharmaceutical, petrochemical, and geotechnical engineering.
The course features dedicated hands-on afternoon sessions utilizing open-source and commercial software to create and run simulations.
The school begins with four shared introductory lectures on the first day to establish a common background. This is followed by thematic lectures from international experts, each focusing on a specific research area.
Participants will also engage in:
- A flash poster presentation (Day 1 afternoon) for a brief introduction to participants’ current research projects.
- A poster session following the initial presentations, promoting informal discussion and collaboration.
- Hands-on practical sessions across two afternoons showcasing the creation, execution, and data visualization of simulations using both open-source and commercial DEM codes.
- Daily interactions and collaborative learning sessions to foster networking.
The course is primarily addressed to doctoral students, early career researchers, practicing engineers, and technologists. While no prior DEM knowledge is required, participants should possess a solid foundation in graduate-level solid mechanics and fluid mechanics, alongside computational modelling experience. It is ideal for PhD candidates and R&D scientists (from food, pharma, energy, or structural sectors) aiming to develop solutions for processing complex particulate materials or establish new modelling groups.