Diffusion induced by a thermal gradient in a granular binary mixture is analyzed in the context of the (inelastic) Enskog equation. Although the Enskog equation neglects velocity correlations among particles which are about to collide, it retains spatial correlations arising from volume exclusion effects and thus it is expected to apply to moderate densities. In the steady state with gradients only along a given direction, a segregation criterion is obtained from the thermal diffusion factor $Λ$ measuring the amount of segregation parallel to the thermal gradient. As expected, the sign of the factor $Λ$ provides a criterion for the transition between the Brazil-nut effect (BNE) and the reverse Brazil-nut effect (RBNE) by varying the parameters of the mixture (masses, sizes, concentration, solid volume fraction, and coefficients of restitution). The form of the phase diagrams for the BNE/RBNE transition is illustrated in detail for several systems, with special emphasis on the significant role played by the inelasticity of collisions. In particular, an effect already found in dilute gases (segregation in a binary mixture of identical masses and sizes {\em but} different coefficients of restitution) is extended to dense systems. A comparison with recent computer simulation results shows a good qualitative agreement at the level of the thermal diffusion factor. The present analysis generalizes to arbitrary concentration previous theoretical results derived in the tracer limit case.
The goal of this note is to provide most of the technical details involved in the application of the Chapman-Enskog method to solve the revised Enskog equation to Navier-Stokes order. Explicit expressions for the transport coefficients and the cooling rate are obtained in terms of the coefficient of restitution and the solid volume fraction by using a new Sonine approach. This new approach consists of replacing, where appropriate in the Chapman-Enskog procedure, the local equilibrium distribution (used in the standard first Sonine approximation) by the homogeneous cooling state distribution. T…
We study the diffusion of tracers (self-diffusion) in a homogeneously cooling gas of dissipative particles, using the Green-Kubo relation and the Chapman-Enskog approach. The dissipative particle collisions are described by the coefficient of restitution $ε$ which for realistic material properties depends on the impact velocity. First, we consider self-diffusion using a constant coefficient of restitution, $ε=$const, as frequently used to simplify the analysis. Second, self-diffusion is studied for a simplified (stepwise) dependence of $ε$ on the impact velocity. Finally, diffusion is consider…
The Navier--Stokes transport coefficients of multicomponent granular suspensions at moderate densities are obtained in the context of the (inelastic) Enskog kinetic theory. The suspension is modeled as an ensemble of solid particles where the influence of the interstitial gas on grains is via a viscous drag force plus a stochastic Langevin-like term defined in terms of a background temperature. In the absence of spatial gradients, it is shown first that the system reaches a homogeneous steady state where the energy lost by inelastic collisions and viscous friction is compensated for by the ene…
The rheological properties for dilute and moderately dense granular binary mixtures of smooth, inelastic hard disks/spheres under uniform shear flow in steady state conditions are reported. The results are based on the Enskog kinetic theory, numerically solved by a dense gas extension of the Direct Simulation Monte Carlo method for dilute gases. These results are confronted to the ones also obtained by performing molecular dynamics simulations with very good agreement for the lower densities and higher coefficients of restitution. It appears that the range of densities for which the Enskog equ…
We develop a rigorous formalism for the description of the kinetic evolution of many-particle systems with the dissipative interaction. The relationships of the evolution of a hard sphere system with inelastic collisions described within the framework of marginal observables governed by the dual BBGKY hierarchy and the evolution of states described by the Cauchy problem of the Enskog kinetic equation for granular gases are established. Moreover, we consider the Boltzmann--Grad asymptotic behavior of the constructed non-Markovian Enskog kinetic equation for granular gases in a one-dimensional s…
This paper deals with the convergence/divergence issue of the Chapman-Enskog series expansion of the shear and normal stresses for a granular gas of inelastic hard spheres. From the exact solution of a simple kinetic model in the uniform shear and longitudinal flows, it is shown that (except in the elastic limit) both series converge and their respective radii of convergence increase with inelasticity. This paradoxical result can be understood in terms of the time evolution of the Knudsen number and the existence of a nonequilibrium steady state.
Motivated by a novel method for granular segregation, we analyze the one dimensional drift-diffusion between two absorbing boundaries. The time evolution of the probability distribution and the rate of absorption are given by explicit formulae, the splitting probability and the mean first passage time are also calculated. Applying the results we find optimal parameters for segregating binary granular mixtures.
Segregation by thermal diffusion of an intruder immersed in a sheared granular gas is analyzed from the (inelastic) Boltzmann equation. Segregation is induced by the presence of a temperature gradient orthogonal to the shear flow plane and parallel to gravity. We show that, like in analogous systems without shear, the segregation criterion yields a transition between upwards segregation and downwards segregation. The form of the phase diagrams is illustrated in detail showing that they depend sensitively on the value of gravity relative to the thermal gradient. Two specific situations are cons…
The Chapman-Enskog method of solution of kinetic equations, such as the Boltzmann equation, is based on an expansion in gradients of the deviations fo the hydrodynamic fields from a uniform reference state (e.g., local equilibrium). This paper presents an extension of the method so as to allow for expansions about \emph{arbitrary}, far-from equilibrium reference states. The primary result is a set of hydrodynamic equations for studying variations from the arbitrary reference state which, unlike the usual Navier-Stokes hydrodynamics, does not restrict the reference state in any way. The method …
The fundamental question addressed in this paper is whether the partial Chapman--Enskog expansion $P_{xy}=-\sum_{k=0}^\infty η_k ({\partial u_x}/{\partial y})^{2k+1}$ of the shear stress converges or not for a gas of inelastic hard spheres. By using a simple kinetic model it is shown that, in contrast to the elastic case, the above series does converge, the radius of convergence increasing with inelasticity. It is argued that this paradoxical conclusion is not an artifact of the kinetic model and can be understood in terms of the time evolution of the scaled shear rate in the uniform shear flo…
The homogeneous state of a binary mixture of smooth inelastic hard disks or spheres is analyzed. The mixture is driven by a thermostat composed by two terms: a stochastic force and a drag force proportional to the particle velocity. The combined action of both forces attempts to model the interaction of the mixture with a bath or surrounding fluid. The problem is studied by means of two independent and complementary routes. First, the Enskog kinetic equation with a Fokker-Planck term describing interactions of particles with thermostat is derived. The ratio of kinetic temperatures $T_1/T_2$ an…
Size segregation of granular mixtures which are almost completely packed in a rotating drum is discussed with an effective simulation and a brief analysis. Instead of a 3D drum, we simulate 2D rotating thin box which is almost completely packed with granular mixtures. The phase inversion of radially segregated pattern which was found in a 3D experiment are qualitatively reproduced with this simulation, and a brief analysis is followed. Moreover in our simulation, a global convection appears after radial segregation pattern is formed, and this convection induces axially segregated pattern.
A linear stability analysis of the hydrodynamic equations with respect to the homogeneous cooling state is carried out to identify the conditions for stability as functions of the wave vector, the dissipation, and the density. In contrast to previous studies, this description is based on the results derived from the Enskog equation for inelastic hard spheres [V. Garzó and J. W. Dufty, Phys. Rev. E {\bf 59}, 5895 (1999)], which takes into account the dependence of the transport coefficients on dissipation. As expected, linear stability shows two transversal (shear) modes and a longitudinal (``h…
We report on a segregation scheme for granular binary mixtures, where the segregation is performed by a ratchet mechanism realized by a vertically shaken asymmetric sawtooth-shaped base in a quasi-two-dimensional box. We have studied this system by computer simulations and found that most binary mixtures can be segregated using an appropriately chosen ratchet, even when the particles in the two components have the same size, and differ only in their normal restitution coefficient or friction coefficient. These results suggest that the components of otherwise non-segregating granular mixtures m…
The objective of this study is to assess the impact of a dense-phase treatment on the hydrodynamic description of granular, binary mixtures relative to a previous dilute-phase treatment. Two theories were considered for this purpose. The first, proposed by Garzó and Dufty (GD) [Phys. Fluids {\bf 14}, 146 (2002)], is based on the Boltzmann equation which does not incorporate finite-volume effects, thereby limiting its use to dilute flows. The second, proposed by Garzó, Hrenya and Dufty (GHD) [Phys. Rev. E {\bf 76}, 31303 and 031304 (2007)], is derived from the Enskog equation which does account…
We study segregation of granular mixtures in the continuous avalanche regime (for frequencies above ~ 1 rpm) in thin rotating drums using a continuum theory for surface flows of grains. The theory predicts profiles in agreement with experiments only when we consider a flux dependent velocity of flowing grains. We find the segregation of species of different size and surface properties, with the smallest and roughest grains being found preferentially at the center of the drum. For a wide difference between the species we find a complete segregation in agreement with experiments. In addition, we…
A low density binary mixture of granular gases is considered within the Boltzmann kinetic theory. One component, the intruders, is taken to be dilute with respect to the other, and thermal segregation of the two species is described for a special exact solution to the Boltzmann equation. This solution has a macroscopic hydrodynamic representation with a constant temperature gradient and is referred to as the Fourier state. The thermal diffusion factor characterizing conditions for segregation is calculated without the usual restriction to Navier-Stokes hydrodynamics. Molecular dynamics simulat…
Recently several authors studied the segregation of particles for a system composed of mono-dispersed inelastic spheres contained in a box divided by a wall in the middle. The system exhibited a symmetry breaking leading to an overpopulation of particles in one side of the box. Here we study the segregation of a mixture of particles composed of inelastic hard spheres and fluidized by a vibrating wall. Our numerical simulations show a rich phenomenology: horizontal segregation and periodic behavior. We also propose an empirical system of ODEs representing the proportion of each type of particle…
We investigate the segregation of a dense binary mixture of granular particles that only differ in their restitution coefficient. The mixture is vertically vibrated in the presence of gravity. We find a partial segregation of the species, where most dissipative particles submerge in the less dissipative ones. The segregation occurs even if one type of the particles is elastic. In order to have a complete description of the system, we study the structure of the fluid at microscopic scale (few particle diameters). The density and temperature pair distribution functions show strong enhancements r…
The linear integral equations defining the Navier-Stokes (NS) transport coefficients for polydisperse granular mixtures of smooth inelastic hard disks or spheres are solved by using the leading terms in a Sonine polynomial expansion. Explicit expressions for all the NS transport coefficients are given in terms of the sizes, masses, compositions, density and restitution coefficients. In addition, the cooling rate is also evaluated to first order in the gradients. The results hold for arbitrary degree of inelasticity and are not limited to specific values of the parameters of the mixture. Finall…
A hydrodynamic description for an $s$-component mixture of inelastic, smooth hard disks (two dimensions) or spheres (three dimensions) is derived based on the revised Enskog theory for the single-particle velocity distribution functions. In this first portion of the two-part series, the macroscopic balance equations for mass, momentum, and energy are derived. Constitutive equations are calculated from exact expressions for the fluxes by a Chapman-Enskog expansion carried out to first order in spatial gradients, thereby resulting in a Navier-Stokes order theory. Within this context of small gra…
The difference of temperatures between an impurity and the surrounding gas in an open vibrated granular system is studied. It is shown that, in spite of the high inhomogeneity of the state, the temperature ratio remains constant in the bulk of the system. The lack of energy equipartition is associated to the change of sign of the pressure diffusion coefficient for the impurity at certain values of the parameters of the system, leading to a segregation criterium. The theoretical predictions are consistent with previous experimental results, and also in agreement with molecular dynamics simulati…
We study segregation and stratification of mixtures of grains differing in size, shape and material properties poured in two-dimensional silos using a microscopic lattice model for surface flows of grains. The model incorporates the dissipation of energy in collisions between rolling and static grains and an energy barrier describing the geometrical asperities of the grains. We study the phase diagram of the different morphologies predicted by the model as a function of the two parameters. We find regions of segregation and stratification, in agreement with experimental finding, as well as a r…
A method is devised to measure the first-order Chapman-Enskog velocity distribution function associated with the heat flux in a dilute granular gas. The method is based on the application of a homogeneous, anisotropic velocity-dependent external force which produces heat flux in the absence of gradients. The form of the force is found under the condition that, in the linear response regime, the deviation of the velocity distribution function from that of the homogeneous cooling state obeys the same linear integral equation as the one derived from the conventional Chapman-Enskog expansion. The …
The hydrodynamic equation governing the homogeneous time evolution of the temperature in a model of confined granular gas is studied by means of the Enskog equation. The existence of a normal solution of the kinetic equation is assumed as a condition for hydrodynamics. Dimensional analysis implies a scaling of the distribution function that is used to determine it in the first Sonine approximation, with a coefficient that evolves in time through its dependence on the temperature. The theoretical predictions are compared with numerical results obtained by the direct simulation Monte Carlo metho…
In order to study analytically the nature of the size segregation in granular mixtures, we introduce a mean field theory in the framework of a statistical mechanics approach, based on Edwards' original ideas. For simplicity we apply the theory to a lattice model for hard sphere binary mixture under gravity, and we find a new purely thermodynamic mechanism which gives rise to the size segregation phenomenon. By varying the number of small grains and the mass ratio, we find a crossover from Brasil nut to reverse Brasil nut effect, which becomes a true phase transition when the number of small gr…
Processes of mixing and segregation in a packed bed of granular material stirred by a periodically moving rectangular bar are simulated by the discrete element method (DEM). Influence of mechanical properties of the particle material (dynamic friction coefficient, density, elastic modulus) on the segregation intensity is researched. Dynamic friction coefficient was found to have the most noticeable influence to the segregation intensity.
The intruder segregation dependence on size and density is investigated in the framework of a hydrodynamic theoretical model for vibrated granular media. We propose a segregation mechanism based on the difference of densities between different regions of the granular system, which give origin to a buoyant force that acts on the intruder. From the analytic solution of the segregation velocity we can analyze the transition from the upward to downward intruder's movement.
The shear viscosity for a moderately dense granular binary mixture of smooth hard spheres undergoing uniform shear flow is determined. The basis for the analysis is the Enskog kinetic equation, solved first analytically by the Chapman-Enskog method up to first order in the shear rate for unforced systems as well as for systems driven by a Gaussian thermostat. As in the elastic case, practical evaluation requires a Sonine polynomial approximation. In the leading order, we determine the shear viscosity in terms of the control parameters of the problem: solid fraction, composition, mass ratio, si…
We discuss mixing/segregation phenomena in a schematic hard spheres lattice model for binary mixtures of granular media, by analytical evaluation, within Bethe-Peierls approximation, of Edwards' partition function. The presence of fluid-crystal phase transitions in the system drives segregation as a form of phase separation. Within a pure phase, gravity can also induce a kind of vertical segregation not associated to phase transitions.
Transport coefficients associated with the mass flux of impurities immersed in a moderately dense granular gas of hard disks or spheres described by the inelastic Enskog equation are obtained by means of the Chapman-Enskog expansion. The transport coefficients are determined as the solutions of a set of coupled linear integral equations recently derived for polydisperse granular mixtures [V. Garzó, J. W. Dufty and C. M. Hrenya, Phys. Rev. E {\bf 76}, 031304 (2007)]. With the objective of obtaining theoretical expressions for the transport coefficients that are sufficiently accurate for highly …
Granular media are examined with the focus on polydisperse mixtures in the presence of two localized heat-baths. If the two driving energies are similar, the large particles prefer to stay in the `cold' regions of the system -- as far away from the energy source as possible. If one of the temperatures is larger than the other, the cold region is shifted towards the colder reservoir; if the temperature of one source is much higher, a strong, almost constant temperature gradient builds up between the two reservoirs and the large particles are found close to the cold reservoir. Furthermore, clust…
The Enskog kinetic theory for moderately dense granular suspensions is considered as a model to determine the Navier-Stokes transport coefficients. The influence of the interstitial gas on solid particles is modeled by a viscous drag force term plus a stochastic Langevin-like term. The suspension model is solved by means of the Chapman--Enskog method conveniently adapted to dissipative dynamics. The momentum and heat fluxes as well as the cooling rate are obtained to first order in the deviations of the hydrodynamic field gradients from their values in the homogeneous steady state. Since the c…
The segregation of large spheres in a granular bed under vertical vibrations is studied. In our experiments we systematically measure rise times as a function of density, diameter and depth; for two different sinusoidal excitations. The measurements reveal that: at low frequencies, inertia and convection are the only mechanisms behind segregation. Inertia (convection) dominates when the relative density is greater (less) than one. At high frequencies, where convection is suppressed, fluidization of the granular bed causes either buoyancy or sinkage and segregation occurs.
The response functions for small spatial perturbations of a homogeneous granular fluid have been described recently. In appropriate dimensionless variables, they have the form of stationary state time correlation functions. Here, these functions are expressed in terms of reduced single particle functions that are expected to obey a linear kinetic equation. The functional assumption required for such a kinetic equation, and a Markov approximation for its implementation are discussed. If, in addition, static velocity correlations are neglected, a granular fluid version of the linearized Enskog k…
Two different kinetic theories [J. Solsvik and E. Manger (SM-theory), Phys. Fluids \textbf{33}, 043321 (2021) and V. Garzó, J. W. Dufty, and C. M. Hrenya (GDH-theory), Phys. Rev. E \textbf{76}, 031303 (2007)] are considered to determine the shear viscosity $η$ for a moderately dense granular binary mixture of smooth hard spheres. The mixture is subjected to a simple shear flow and heated by the action of an external driving force (Gaussian thermostat) that exactly compensates the energy dissipated in collisions. The set of Enskog kinetic equations is the starting point to obtain the dependence…
The solution of the Enskog equation for the one-body velocity distribution of a moderately dense, arbitrary mixture of inelastic hard spheres undergoing planar shear flow is described. A generalization of the Grad moment method, implemented by means of a novel generating function technique, is used so as to avoid any assumptions concerning the size of the shear rate. The result is illustrated by using it to calculate the pressure, normal stresses and shear viscosity of a model polydisperse granular fluid in which grain size, mass and coefficient of restitution varies amoungst the grains. The r…
We present results from an extensive experimental investigation into granular segregation of a shallow binary mixture in which particles are driven by frictional interactions with the surface of a vibrating horizontal tray. Three distinct phases of the mixture are established viz; binary gas (unsegregated), segregation liquid and segregation crystal. Their ranges of existence are mapped out as a function of the system's primary control parameters using a number of measures based on Voronoi tessellation. We study the associated transitions and show that segregation can be suppressed is the tota…
We present the generalization of the minimal model for surface flows of granular mixtures, proposed by Boutreux and de Gennes [J. Phys. I France 6, 1295 (1996)]. The minimal model was valid for grains differing only in their surface properties. The present model also takes into account differences in the size of the grains. We apply the model to study segregation in two-dimensional silos of mixtures of grains differing in size and/or surface properties. When the difference in size is small, the model predicts that a continuous segregation appears in the static phase during the filling of a sil…
We investigate the role of friction in compaction and segregation of granular materials by combining Edwards' thermodynamic hypothesis with a simple mechanical model and mean-field based geometrical calculations. Systems of single species with large friction coefficients are found to compact less. Binary mixtures of grains differing in frictional properties are found to segregate at high compactivities, in contrary to granular mixtures differing in size, which segregate at low compactivities. A phase diagram for segregation vs. friction coefficients of the two species is generated. Finally, th…
We report the results of an experimental investigation of segregation in a binary mixture of dry particles subjected to horizontal oscillatory excitation. The thin layer of particles was driven by the stick--slip frictional interaction with the surface of a horizontal tray. As the packing fraction of the mixture was increased the evolution of distinct phases was observed. We identified them as a binary gas, segregation liquid and segregation crystal and provide both microscopic and macroscopic measures to identify their properties. Finally, we draw some analogies between segregation in our gra…
We present a hydrodynamic theoretical model for "Brazil nut" size segregation in granular materials. We give analytical solutions for the rise velocity of a large intruder particle immersed in a medium of monodisperse fluidized small particles. We propose a new mechanism for this particle size-segregation due to buoyant forces caused by density variations which come from differences in the local "granular temperature". The mobility of the particles is modified by the energy dissipation due to inelastic collisions and this leads to a different behavior from what one would expect for an elastic …
Spontaneous stratification of granular mixtures has been reported by Makse et al. [Nature 386, 379 (1997)] when a mixture of grains differing in size and shape is poured in a quasi-two-dimensional heap. We study this phenomenon using two different approaches. First, we introduce a cellular automaton model that illustrates clearly the physical mechanism; the model displays stratification whenever the large grains are rougher than the small grains, in agreement with the experiments. Moreover, the dynamics are close to those of the experiments, where the layers are built through a ``kink'' at whi…
A recent solution of the inelastic Boltzmann equation that applies for strong dissipation and takes into account non-equipartition of energy is used to derive an explicit expression for the thermal diffusion factor. This parameter provides a criterion for segregation that involves all the parameters of the granular binary mixture (composition, masses, sizes, and coefficients of restitution). The present work is consistent with recent experimental results and extends previous results obtained in the intruder limit case.
We present the results of an experimental study of patterned segregation in a horizontally shaken shallow layer of a binary mixture of dry particles. As the compacity, $C$, of the mixture was increased, the evolution of three distinct phases was observed. We classify them as binary gas, segregation liquid and segregation crystal phases using macroscopic and microscopic measures. The binary gas to segregation liquid transition is consistent with a continuous phase transition and includes the characteristic feature of critical slowing down. At high compacities we observed an intriguing slow osci…
A simple phenomenological model of a binary granular mixture is developed and investigated numerically. We attempt to model the experimental system of [1,2] where a horizontally vibrated binary monolayer was found to exhibit a transition from a mixed to a segregated state as the filling fraction of the mixture was increased. This model is found to reproduce much of the experimentally observed behaviour, most importantly the transition from the mixed to the segregated state. We use the model to investigate granular segregation mechanisms and explain the experimentally observed behaviour.
We present extensive Molecular Dynamics simulations on species segregation in a granular mixture subject to vertical taps. We discuss how grain properties, e.g., size, density, friction, as well as, shaking properties, e.g., amplitude and frequency, affect such a phenomenon. Both Brazil Nut Effect (larger particles on the top, BN) and the Reverse Brazil Nut Effect (larger particles on the bottom, RBN) are found and we derive the system comprehensive ``segregation diagram'' and the BN to RBN crossover line. We also discuss the role of friction and show that particles which differ only for their…
Segregation induced by a thermal gradient of an impurity in a driven low-density granular gas is studied. The system is enclosed between two parallel walls from which we input thermal energy to the gas. We study here steady states occurring when the inelastic cooling is exactly balanced by some external energy input (stochastic force or viscous heating), resulting in a uniform heat flux. A segregation criterion based on Navier-Stokes granular hydrodynamics is written in terms of the tracer diffusion transport coefficients, whose dependence on the parameters of the system (masses, sizes and coe…
A solution of the inelastic Enskog equation that goes beyond the weak dissipation limit and applies for moderate densities is used to determine the thermal diffusion factor of an intruder immersed in a dense granular gas under gravity. This factor provides a segregation criterion that shows the transition between the Brazil-nut effect (BNE) and the reverse Brazil-nut effect (RBNE) by varying the parameters of the system (masses, sizes, density and coefficients of restitution). The form of the phase-diagrams for the BNE/RBNE transition depends sensitively on the value of gravity relative to the…
The Einstein relation for a driven moderately dense granular gas in $d$-dimensions is analyzed in the context of the Enskog kinetic equation. The Enskog equation neglects velocity correlations but retains spatial correlations arising from volume exclusion effects. As expected, there is a breakdown of the Einstein relation $ε=D/(T_0μ)\neq 1$ relating diffusion $D$ and mobility $μ$, $T_0$ being the temperature of the impurity. The kinetic theory results also show that the violation of the Einstein relation is only due to the strong non-Maxwellian behavior of the reference state of the impurity p…
A linear stability analysis of the hydrodynamic equations with respect to the homogeneous cooling state is performed to study the conditions for stability of a suspension of solid particles immersed in a viscous gas. The dissipation in such systems arises from two different sources: inelasticity in particle collisions and viscous friction dissipation due to the influence of gas phase on solid particles. The starting point is a suspension model based on the (inelastic) Enskog kinetic equation where the effect of the interstitial gas phase on the dynamics of grains is modeled via a viscous drag …
Granular mixtures frequently segregate by grain size along the axis of partially-filled, horizontal, rotating tubes. When segregation approaches saturation at the surface, a well-defined pattern of bands with wavelength $λ$ emerges. The long-term dynamics of the pattern involves a much slower coarsening process. We characterized the initial saturated wavelength $λ$ as a function of the diameter of the tube $D$ for a filling fraction of 30 %, for $1.9 {\rm cm} \leq D \leq 11.5 {\rm cm}$. We also studied the initial growth-rate of the bands as $D$ varies. We find that $λ/D$ is not constant, but …
In the framework of schematic hard spheres lattice models we discuss Edwards' Statistical Mechanics approach to granular media. As this approach appears to hold here to a very good approximation, by analytical calculations of Edwards' partition function at a mean field level we derive the system phase diagram and show that ``jamming'' corresponds to a phase transition from a ``fluid'' to a ``glassy'' phase, observed when crystallization is avoided. The nature of such a ``glassy'' phase turns out to be the same found in mean field models for glass formers. In the same context, we also briefly d…
A method based on the simple shear flow modified by the introduction of a deterministic non-conservative force and a stochastic process is proposed to measure the Navier-Stokes shear viscosity in a granular fluid described by the Enskog equation. The method is implemented in DSMC simulations for a wide range of values of dissipation and density. It is observed that, after a certain transient period, the system reaches a hydrodynamic stage which tends to the Navier-Stokes regime for long times. The results are compared with theoretical predictions obtained from the Chapman-Enskog method in the …
When a mixture of two kinds of grains differing in size and shape is poured in a vertical two-dimensional cell, the mixture spontaneously stratifies in alternating layers of small and large grains, whenever the large grains are more faceted than the small grains. Otherwise, the mixture spontaneously segregates in different regions of the cell when the large grains are more rounded than the small grains. We address the question of the origin of the instability mechanism leading to stratification using a recently proposed set of equations for surface flow of granular mixtures. We show that the s…
A collisional model of a confined quasi-two-dimensional granular mixture is considered to analyze homogeneous steady states. The model includes an effective mechanism to transfer the kinetic energy injected by vibration in the vertical direction to the horizontal degrees of freedom of grains. The set of Enskog kinetic equations for the velocity distribution functions of each component is derived first to analyze the homogeneous state. As in the one-component case, an exact scaling solution is found where the time dependence of the distribution functions occurs entirely through the granular tem…
We study segregation of an impurity in a driven granular fluid under two types of \emph{steady} states. In the first state, the granular gas is driven by a stochastic volume force field with a Fourier-type profile while in the second state, the granular gas is sheared in such a way that inelastic cooling is balanced by viscous heating. We compare theoretical results derived from a solution of the (inelastic) Boltzmann equation at Navier-Stokes (NS) order with those obtained from the Direct Monte Carlo simulation (DSMC) method and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Good agreement is found bet…
The shear viscosity for a heated granular binary mixture of smooth hard spheres at low-density is analyzed. The mixture is heated by the action of an external driving force (Gaussian thermostat) which exactly compensate for cooling effects associated with the dissipation of collisions. The study is made from the Boltzmann kinetic theory, which is solved by using two complementary approaches. First, a normal solution of the Boltzmann equation via the Chapman-Enskog method is obtained up to first order in the spatial gradients. The mass, heat, and momentum fluxes are determined and the correspon…
