Nonconventional granular material flow modeling

Granular material can switch its behavior from solid-like (able to support quasi-static shear loads) to liquid-like (it can flow in a dense state). This research aims to

• Develop and validate physics-based constitutive laws for biomass granular flow behavior;
• Model biomass granular flow and utilize simulation results to control unit operation conditions and optimize equipment design.

Related publications

1. Ikbarieh, A., Jin, W., Zhao, Y., Saha, N., Klinger, J. L., Xia, Y., & Dai, S. (2025). Machine Learning Assisted Cross-Scale Hopper Design for Flowing Biomass Granular Materials. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, 13(16), 5838-5851.
2. Zhao, Y., Jin, W., Ikbarieh, A., Klinger, J. L., Saha, N., Dayton, D. C., & Dai, S. (2024). SPH Modeling of Biomass Granular Flow: Engineering Application in Hoppers and Augers. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, 12(10), 4213-4223.
3. Lu, Y., Jin, W., Klinger, J., Saha, N., Xia, Y., & Dai, S. (2024). Shear rate dependency on flowing granular biomass material. Powder Technology, 442, 119834.
4. Zhao, Y., Jin, W., Klinger, J., Dayton, D. C., & Dai, S. (2023). SPH modeling of biomass granular flow: Theoretical implementation and experimental validation. Powder Technology, 426, 118625.
5. Lu, Y., Jin, W., Klinger, J. L., & Dai, S. (2023). Effects of the Moisture Content on the Flow Behavior of Milled Woody Biomass. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering.
6. Lu, Y., Jin, W., Saha, N., Klinger, J. L., Xia, Y., & Dai, S. (2022). Wedge-Shaped Hopper Design for Milled Woody Biomass Flow. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, 10(50), 16803-16813.
7. Jin, W., Lu, Y., Chen, F., Hamed, A., Saha, N., Klinger, J., … & Xia, Y. (2022). On the Fidelity of Computational Models for the Flow of Milled Loblolly Pine: A Benchmark Study on Continuum-Mechanics Models and Discrete-Particle Models. Frontiers in Energy Research, 10.
8. Lu, Y., Jin, W., Klinger, J., & Dai, S. (2021). Flow and arching of biomass particles in wedge-shaped hoppers. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, 9(45), 15303-15314.
9. Lu, Y., Jin, W., Klinger, J., Westover, T. L., & Dai, S. (2021). Flow characterization of compressible biomass particles using multiscale experiments and a hypoplastic model. Powder Technology, 383, 396-409.
10. Jin, W., Klinger, J., Westover, T., & Huang, H. (2020). A density dependent Drucker-Prager/Cap model for ring shear simulation of ground loblolly pine. Powder Technology, 368,45-58.
11. Xia, Y., Stickel, J. J., Jin, W., & Klinger, J. (2020). A Review of Computational Models for the Flow of Milled Biomass Part I: Discrete-Particle Models. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, 8(16), 6142-6156.
12. Jin, W., Stickel, J. J., Xia, Y., & Klinger, J. (2020). A Review of Computational Models for the Flow of Milled Biomass Part II: Continuum-Mechanics Models. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, 8(16), 6157-6172.