An improved model for predicting the erosion within the DEM framework

For investigating the erosion caused by particle impact, an erosion model based on the particle impact energy has been proposed in our previous study, which can be called IEEM (Impact Energy Erosion Model). By incorporating IEEM with DEM (Discrete Element Method), the erosion caused by particle impact can be numerically predicted. However, IEEM assumes that all particle impacts lead to erosion, which contradicts the reality where gentle particle impacts with low collision energy do not cause erosion. Therefore, an improved erosion model called FIEEM (Filtering Impact Energy Erosion Model) is devised by introducing the concept of filtration into IEEM. In FIEEM, the low-energy particle collisions are filtered by comparing the contact stress with the flow stress of the target material so that these collisions cannot cause erosion, and the Hertz contact theory is employed to determine the accurate contact stress. Subsequently, the DEM simulations of the charge behaviors and liner wear in an industrial-scale SAG (Semi-Automatic Grinding) mill are conducted and then compared with the experimental data for validating the accuracy and effectiveness of FIEEM. Additionally, the discussion regarding the difference of the predicted erosion between IEEM and FIEEM is also presented from the point of effective collision energy.