Powder processing—Models and simulations

Particle science and technology is a rapidly developing interdisciplinary research area with its core being the understanding of the relationships between micro- and macro-scopic properties of granular matter—a state of matter that is widely encountered but poorly understood. The macroscopic behavior of particulate matter is controlled by the interactions between individual particles as well as interactions with surrounding gas, liquid and/or wall. Understanding the microscopic mechanisms in terms of these interaction forces is therefore key to leading to truly interdisciplinary research into particulate matter and producing results that can be generally used. This aim can be effectively achieved via particle scale research based on detailed microdynamic information such as the forces acting on and trajectories of individual particles in a considered system. In recent years, such research has been rapidly developed worldwide, mainly as a result of the rapid development of discrete particle simulation technique and computer technology. This chapter presents an overview of the work in this direction. It is demonstrated that simulation and modeling has emerged to be a powerful tool not only for fundamental research but also for engineering application.