SEGREGACIÓN DE UNA MEZCLA GRANULAR BINARIA PRODUCIDA EN UN CARRO ALIMENTADOR DE UNA MÁQUINA COMPRESORA MONOPUNZÓN EMPLEANDO DEM

Abstract

This work analyzes the segregation phenomena during the die filling of a binary granular mixture in a feed hopper of a tablet compression machine. These phenomena, which are due to the alternative movement of the feed hopper, are investigated using DEM simulations and empirical tests. The optimal values of the model parameters were adjusted by comparison with compression tests performed with a real machine. In order to reduce the computational cost required by using a feed hopper with similar dimensions of a conventional one (fully 3D model), the width of the feed hopper was reduced by 60% (thin sliced model) both in the simulation and the experimental tests. Due the characteristics of the ingredients used in this study, the most relevant parameters of the simulation were the filling method of the feed hopper, its geometry and the value of different friction coefficients. The main result of this study is a model that allows simulating, in a reasonable way, the segregation phenomena that occur in the feed hopper of a tablet compression machine (‘single punch’ eccentric press).