DEM-based modelling framework for spray-dried powders in ceramic tiles industry. Part II: Solver implementation

In the preceding Part I, a combined experimental-numerical study to characterize fine spray-dried powder used in the ceramic tile pressing process was presented. In the present Part II, the algorithm proposed by (Mazhar, 2011) to solve the numerical simulation of powder dynamics through the Discrete Element Method (DEM) was extended. In this paper, the original algorithm was adapted for efficient use on multi-core CPUs and a single GPU. In both cases, history-dependent contact models were considered. The efficiency of the algorithms was compared among them and with LIGGGHTS, a reference software package for particle simulation using DEM. The results demonstrated a higher performance of the codes developed compared to LIGGGHTS, particularly in demanding scenarios with a large number of particles (more than 1 million) of small size (median diameter in volume less than 1 mm). In particular, the CPU-based algorithm was suitable for simulating the mould filling in ceramic tiles industry.