This paper presents the simulation of material flows in the large-scale charging chute of Fos-Sur-Mer sinter cooler plant by using three-dimensional Discrete Element Method (DEM). As a result of granular flows in the chute, segregation patterns are formed at the charging exit. The sinter material is modelled as dry particles and their size distribution in the simulation is larger than in the reality to keep the simulation in a reasonable run time. Suitable calibration tests are performed to specify the DEM contact parameters in order to replicate the behavior observed during experiments with the virtual sinter particles. The DEM model is found to be in good agreement with a segregation measurement. A sensitivity analysis using different particle sizes shows that the segregation patterns are not affected by the different sizes used for fine particles. Furthermore, the filling ratio in the charging system is varied in the model and shows that a high filling ratio leads to less segregation when exiting the charging chute. The DEM model is used to analyze the granular flows in the charging chute, understand the material behavior and optimize the sinter cooling efficiency.

本文利用三维离散元方法（DEM），对Fos-Sur-Mer烧结冷却器大型装料斜槽中的物料流进行了模拟。由于溜槽中有颗粒状流动，因此在装料口处形成了分离图案。烧结材料被建模为干颗粒，其模拟中的尺寸分布要比实际中的大，以使模拟保持合理的运行时间。执行适当的校准测试以指定DEM接触参数，以便复制使用虚拟烧结颗粒进行的实验中观察到的行为。发现DEM模型与隔离测量非常吻合。使用不同粒径的敏感性分析表明，偏析模式不受用于细粒的不同粒径的影响。此外，模型中的装料系统中的装料比率有所不同，表明当装料系统离开装料斜槽时，较高的装料比率导致较少的偏析。DEM模型用于分析装料斜槽中的颗粒流，了解材料行为并优化烧结矿冷却效率。