Momentum Transfer Between Polydisperse Particles in Granular Flow

We perform Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations (based on the soft sphere model) of a model granular system consisting of two types of spherical particles differing in size and/or density to characterize particle-particle momentum transfer (solid drag). The velocity difference between two types of particles is specified in the initial conditions, and the evolution of relative mean velocity and the velocity fluctuations in terms of granular temperature are quantified. The dependence of the momentum transfer is studied as a function of volume fraction, size and density ratio of the two types of particles, inelasticity, and friction coefficient. An existing continuum model of particle-particle momentum transfer based on extensions of kinetic theory is compared to the MD simulations. A modified continuum solid drag model is suggested for a limited range of parameters.