Automated measurement of the numerical angle of repose (aMAoR) of biomass particles in EDEM with a novel algorithm

The reliable particle parameters of biomass for discrete element method (DEM) pose a challenge in reproducing actual conditions in a simulation environment. However, the calibration of simulation parameters was not seriously considered in industrial or academic fields. In order to adjust the main material parameters and contact parameters of biomass materials in DEM simulation, a calibration procedure based on the comparison between the experimental angle of repose (AoR) by using 3D scan in laboratory and the automated measurement of the numerical AoR (aMAoR) is proposed in this study. A novel data processing algorithm is developed for aMAoR and integrated in a self-developed graphic user interface (GUI). Influences of GUI input variables on AoR acquisition are discussed through several examples. In case studies with four biomass materials, this method prevented the subjective selection of AoR, improved the identification accuracy and therefore decreased minimum amount of suitable parameter combinations for DEM calibration.