Kinetic theory and burnett order constitutive relations for a smooth granular gas

Abstract

A granular material is a conglomeration of discrete macroscopic (>1 mm in size) solid particles or grains. Granular materials are commonplace in nature and industry. According to Richard et al. (2005), “Granular materials are ubiquitous in nature and are the second-most manipulated material in industry (the first one is water)”. They occur in all shapes and sizes ranging from powders, sand, cement, food grains, seeds, sugar, capsules and pills, gravels, fertilizers to large chunks of coal, sand dunes, planetary rings, asteroids, etc. Figure 1.1 shows few examples of granular materials. Many industries rely on handling, conveying and storage of grains.