PLANT MANAGEMENT


engineer using other CAE software                


 


         


LONGTERM BENEFITS     


            


Dr Jin Ooi is professor of Particulate Solid Mechanics at Edinburgh University


DEM used to test new ‘flight’ designs A


stec is a global manufacturer of continuous and batch-process hot-mix asphalt plants and related equipment and services. In asphalt production, hundreds of tons of wet aggregate rock are dried in a rotating drum dryer before being coated with liquid asphalt. The drying process, though very energy-intensive, ensures that the asphalt will bind to the rock. Inside the drum, the aggregate is kept in motion by shaped scoops    falling material.


Better veiling action improves heat transfer and speeds drying, reducing fuel consumption. Astec was looking to develop a more  wide range of aggregate types at various tonnage rates. Direct observation of the drum in operation is challenging, so the company turned to digital  To solve its design challenge, Astec turned to EDEM, a leading player in DEM software for bulk   environment for observing and analysing the   dryer into EDEM, and generated an aggregate rock


32 www.engineerlive.com


DEM material model. After model calibration, the company accurately simulated the dynamics of the   calculate the amount of rocks in a given volume, Astec could quantify the density of the veiled aggregate in a given drum section. By virtually comparing the performance    V Flight, which optimised the distribution of rock during veiling, vastly improving the aggregate drying process. The new V Flight design


 drying time and uses less fuel than previous designs. In the 


customers more competitive, while reducing the impact on the environment. With EDEM, Astec was  to-particle and particle-to-equipment interactions in a harsh environment and where direct measurement and observation were impossible. Virtual performance testing also shortened


 understanding of aggregate behaviour in the drying process. This insight now helps Astec to use EDEM to trouble-shoot existing dryers in the  custom solutions. 


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