Measurement and calibration of gluten pellets discrete element parameters at varied moisture content

To quickly calibrate the discrete element parameters (DEP) of pellets with different moisture content (MC), the angle of repose (AoR) was taken as the target value to conduct experimental and simulation research on gluten pellets. The experimental method obtained the intrinsic parameters, contact parameters, and AoR of pellets with different moisture content. The parameters differed significantly under different moisture content (p < 0.05). The AoR-MC model (R-2 = 0.987) was established. The Plackett-Burman test, steepest ascent test, and center compound test were carried out to establish the AoR-DEP model (R-2 = 0.969) with a relative error less than or equal to 2.07%. The MC-DEP model was derived, and verified by the side plate lifting method with a relative error less than or equal to 2.58%. This paper provides a new method for calibrating DEP under different moisture content.