A study of the design and arrangement of flights in a rotary drum

• Published in: Powder technology Vol. 395; pp. 195 - 206
• Main Authors: Silveira, Jeniffer C., Lima, Rondinelli M., Brandao, Rodolfo J., Duarte, Claudio R., Barrozo, Marcos A.S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier B.V 01.01.2022; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Active region; Configurations; DEM simulation; Design optimization; Flighted rotary dryer; Heterogeneity; Multi-response optimization; Solids flow; Flighted rotary dryer; DEM simulation; Multi-response optimization; Active region
• ISSN: 0032-5910; 1873-328X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.powtec.2021.09.043

The performance of flighted rotary drums strongly depends on the distribution of the particles across the drum transverse and longitudinal sections. This work aims to determine the design and arrangement of flights that optimize the distribution of the particles in the active region. The prediction of the solids flow was investigated by DEM simulations. A multi-response optimization was performed, in which the obtained best configuration of three-segments flight presented the following internal angles: α1 = 95°, α2 = 130°, and α3 = 145°. The effect of the intercalated position of the flights on particles distribution in the active region was also evaluated. The configuration with the separation distance between flights of 15° promoted an increase of 24.6% in the area occupied by the particles in the active region, and a reduction of 38.5% in dispersion heterogeneity of solids when compared to that of the arrangement of aligned flights. [Display omitted] •The active region of a flighted rotary drum (FRD) was investigated.•The solid flow in the FRD was predicted by DEM simulations.•An optimization study of the particles distribution in active phase was performed.•The best flight design was found.•The best flight arrangement in the drum was also obtained.