Computer simulation of the packing of fine particles

Distinct element method (DEM) based dynamic simulations were carried out to quantify the packing structure in relation to particle size and van der Walls and electrostatic forces. These forces were supposed to effect the packing of fine particles. The effect of particle size on the particle packing was quantified in terms of porosity, radial distribution function, angular distribution, and coordination number. Porosity was found to increase with the decrease of particle size from 100 to 1 μ. The linking of macroscopic to microscopic properties for the packing of fine particles was done using the relation between porosity and van der Wall forces.