Hole Blocking in Rotary Sieve Screening through Ultrasonic Vibration

In order to reduce the impact of screen surface blockage on screening efficiency during the screening process, the screening process of a rotary vibrating screen was simulated based on the discrete element method. Firstly, a three-dimensional model was established to study the effects of particle shape, vibration frequency, vibration amplitude, and the introduction of ultrasonic vibration on screen surface blockage. The optimal parameters were analyzed and determined according to the relationship between parameters and plugging rate and screen penetration rate. Secondly, ultrasonic vibration was introduced. It is experimentally shown that ultrasound can be used to remove particles that are clogged in the sieve pores, thus effectively reducing the blockage of the sieve surface while ensuring a high screen penetration rate. Finally, by combining the simulation data and experimental verification, optimal combination parameters for improving screen blockage were obtained. The particle shape is a sphere, the vibration frequency is 12 Hz, the vibration amplitude is 2.5 mm as the optimal parameters, the hole plugging rate is sufficiently low and the high screening rate is guaranteed. Meanwhile, the introduction of ultrasonic vibration effectively reduces the clogging rate of the sieve holes and hence improves the clogging situation of the sieve surface.