Predicting average void fraction and void fraction uncertainty in fixed beds of poly-lobed particles

Random packed beds of cylindrical, trilobic and quadrilobic particles in cylindrical and bi-periodic containers are numerically studied using Grains 3D, a code based on the Discrete Element Method (DEM) that resolves all inelastic collisions and simulates dynamically the loading of packed beds. To mimic industrial or laboratory packing procedures, particles initial position and orientation are random so that the same simulation repeated again yields a different packed bed structure and thus a different average void fraction. These "in silico" experiments aim at being able to optimize particle shape in heterogeneous catalysis, in particular with respect to the corresponding bed void fraction that is a critical parameter for pressure drop prediction. These "in silico" experiments are deterministic and accurate but with differences due to the loading procedure. In this paper, we first present our assessment of the uncertainty on average void fraction induced by (i) the initial random position and orientation...