Effects of size polydispersity on segregation of spherical particles in rotating drum

To get insight into the segregation process of a polydisperse granular materials flow, we numerically investigated the migration process of particles in a rotating drum operating in the rolling regime by means of the discrete element method. Particle migration is analyzed through the variation of the proportion of particles in different zones where the flow property is characterized. The proportion of particles in different zones of the drum shows to increase in the center of the flow radially and axially where a higher concentration of small particles is observed, while its decreases in other zones with a higher concentration of larger particles. Interestingly, we find that the migration process of particles leads to radial and axial segregation which is caused by a combination between the exerted fluctuation forces on particles and its surrounding pressure gradient. Graphic abstract