Experimental study on the influence of bed height on convection cell formation

• Published in: Experiments in fluids Vol. 51; no. 3; pp. 795 - 800
• Main Authors: Hsiau, Shu-San, Liao, Chun-Chung, Sheng, Po-Yen, Tai, Shih-Chang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01.09.2011; Springer
• Subjects: Acceleration; Cameras; Convection; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Engineering; Engineering Fluid Dynamics; Engineering Thermodynamics; Exact sciences and technology; Fluid dynamics; Fluid- and Aerodynamics; Granular materials; Granular solids; Heat and Mass Transfer; High speed; Material form; Particle tracking; Physics; Research Article; Rheology; Strength; Granular System; Granular Flow; Granular Material; Convection Cell; Convection; Packed beds; Test facilities; Cellular convection; Experimental study; Vibration effect; Granular materials
• ISSN: 0723-4864; 1432-1114
• DOI: 10.1007/s00348-011-1099-x

In this study, we have investigated experimentally the convection phenomenon of granular matter in a vertical shaker device. The motions of the granular materials were recorded by a high-speed camera. Image processing technology and a particle tracking method were employed to measure the convection strength, convection size, and granular temperature. The results show that the initial bed height, dimensionless vibrating acceleration, and vibrating frequency have significant influence on the convection mechanism. An interesting finding that occurs with increasing the bed height is the existence of two peaks and one low convection strength value which occurs due to the growth of the solid-like region. We also find that the two peak and one low values become greater when higher dimensionless vibrating acceleration is applied to the granular bed.