Grant for research on simulation of flowing granular material

Vinnova grants four million kronor on a two-year research project run in collaboration between Umeå University, Algoryx Simulation, LKAB and Optimation. The industry fund the project with an equal amount. Detailed computer simulations will enable new methods for control of systems for processing and transporting granular materials, such as iron ore, gravel, pellets and grain.

With the help of detailed computer simulations of the granular material, it is possible to study how it behaves under a variety of conditions. For example, it is easy to find bottlenecks that obstruct material flow or identify regions were damages will occur because of degrading forces - and then test how the system can be designed differently. In this way it is also possible to develop new control methods, for example, to produce iron ore pellets.

With the simulations, you can do many experiments, fast, inexpensive and repeatable. Some types of measurements, such as distribution of forces, are practically unfeasible when working only with the real systems. But thanks to new advances in computational science, and computer hardware, we can now study processes with up to 100 million granular elements – equivalent to 100 cubic meters of centimeter-sized pellets. Thus, we can develop models and simulations for real large-scale industrial systems, such as mineral processing, says Martin Servin.

The project include development and experimentation with new computational methods and control algorithms to control processes with granular flows. The interface between the control software and simulated systems are designed so that the transfer from virtual systems to physical industrial plant can be instantaneous.
This will enable operators to test alternative control strategies in virtual environment in parallel with controlling the actual process. Solutions will be tested in the balling plants at LKAB's facility for iron ore pelletizing in Malmberget.

We are in a revolution where advanced computational software is becoming accessible to non-specialists, says Kenneth Bodin, CEO at Algoryx Simulation spun off from Umeå University in 2007. The designer or engineer can test their idea in simulation in just a few moments and demonstrate the result to co-workes and decision-makers. This open for new and creative way of working with development and innovation.

For further information, please contact:Martin Servin, researchers at UMIT Research Lab and lecturer at the Department of Physics, Umeå University
Phone: +46 (0)90-786 65 08
E-mail: martin.servin@physics.umu.se

Facts:
Announcement: Process Industrial IT and Automation (Mrs) is a strategic innovation program funded by VINNOVA, together with the Energy Agency and Formas.
Project: "Regulation of granular processes" (GranuReg)
Granted allocation: 4 000 000 dollars for a two-year project co-funded by industry and the parties equally.
Project partners: Algoryx Simulation, LKAB, Optimation, Umeå University.
Project leader: Professor Martin Servin, Department of Physics and UMIT Research Lab, Umeå University

Editor: Mats Johansson