Measurement and calibration of discrete element parameters for extruded floating feed pellets and ABS plastic

Abstract In the design and optimization of pneumatic feeding equipment for industrialized recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), it is essential to simulate the separating and air-blowing process of floating feed pellets through the engineering discrete element model (EDEM). To improve the accuracy of the discrete element model (DEM), both computational simulations and physical tests were performed to adjust the relevant values. A DEM for feed pellets was created by sampling and measuring their inherent characteristics (density, Poisson ratio, and shear modulus) along with interaction parameters (restitution coefficient, and both static and rolling friction coefficients among pellets and between pellets and ABS). The restitution, static friction, and rolling resistance coefficients between puffed floating feed pellets and ABS plastic were calibrated via collision-rebound, inclined plane sliding, and rolling tests. Their calibrated values were 0.533, 0.331, and 0.069, respectively.