Discrete element analysis of tumbling mills

The tumbling mill simulation problem has been intractable due to the multib ody collision events involving thousands of balls and rocks. The harsh envi ronment in the mill prevents any intrusion with measuring sensors. Simpler physical models with some empiricism could not describe the charge motion w ithin the mill adequately. The discrete element method (DEM) provides a fit ting solution to this problem. In this paper, the formulation of both two- and three-dimensional (2D and 3D, respectively) DEM algorithms for the tumb ling mill is presented. Experimental validation of the models is also prese nted. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.