This is a set of Matlab .fig files corresponding to the figures in the paper 'Effects of pellet-sinter interaction parameters on component segregation and bed porosity considering flow velocity and mixture composition: A DEM study' published in Advanced Powder Technology. 
In this DEM sensitivity study, we charged a pellet-sinter mixture from a hopper into a container to form a bed using different values of the pellet-sinter interaction parameters.
The goal was to investigate to what extent the values of the restitution coefficient, sliding friction coefficient and rolling friction coefficient between pellet and sinter (independent variables) affect segregation during bed formation and the resulting bed porosity (dependent variables).
The investigation was done for different values of the time step, mixture compositions and flow velocities.
Using the DEM data, the degree of segregation in the bed (quantified by the segregation index, SI) and the bed porosity (P) were calculated in MATLAB through formulas presented in the paper. 
A brief summary of the investigated cases in relation to the figures is presented as follows.

As a first step, we determined which value of the time step is suitable for the analysis. We investigated the effect of the time step on the following key performance indicators:
- The SI in radial, vertical and circumferential bed directions (Figure 5a)
- The bed porosity (Figure 5b)
- The mass distribution of pellets along radial direction (Figure 6a)
- The porosity distribution along radial direction (Figure 6b)
- The mass distribution of pellets along vertical direction (Figure 7a)
- The porosity distribution along vertical direction (Figure 7b)


After selecting the time step, we proceeded with analyzing the main effects of the independent variables on the dependent variables for the reference case.
The conditions of the reference case were: H (discharge height) = 2 meters and xp (mass fraction of pellets in the mixture) = 0.5.
- The main effect plots for the three independent variables on SI are shown in Figure 8a-c, where SI is considered for different sampling directions (radial, vertical and circumferential) and based on different sample sizes.
- In Figure 9, the a "combined" SI is considered, where samples were taken in different directions simultaneously. 
- In Figure 10, main effect plots for the three independent variables on SI in radial, vertical and circumferential directions is shown based on 4 samples in each direction.
- Figures 11, 12 and 13 show the main effect plots for the three independent variables on mass distribution of pellets along radial, vertical and circumferential directions, respectively.
- Figure 14 shows the main effect plots for the three independent variables on the heap porosity.
- Figure 15 shows the main effect plots for the three independent variables on the fraction of pellet-pellet (P-P), sinter-sinter (S-S) and pellet-sinter (P-S) contacts during hopper discharge.


Next, we analyzed the main effects for the reference composition (xp = 0.5) at other discharge heights.
- Figures 16 and 17 show the main effect plots for the three independent variables on SI and P, respectively, for H = 2, 4 and 6 meters.

Then, keeping the reference height fixed (H = 2 meters), we analyzed the main effects for different mixture compositions. 
- Figures 18 and 19 show the main effect plots for the three independent variables on SI and P, respectively, for xp = 0.3, 0.5 and 0.7.


We then proceeded with the analysis of interaction effects for the reference case (H = 2 meters and xp = 0.5).
- Figures 20 and 21 show the interaction effect plots for the three independent variables on SI in radial and vertical directions, respectively. 
- Figure 22 shows the interaction effect plots for the three independent variables on P.


In Appendix A, we present main effect plots related to the investigations done at the reference case but then for other discharge heights and mixture compositions.
- Figures A1 and A2 present the same information as Figure 8 (at xp = 0.5), but then for H = 4 meters and H = 6 meters, respectively. 
- Figures A1 and A2 present the same information as Figure 8 (at H = 2 meters), but then for xp = 0.3 meters and xp = 0.7, respectively. 


In Appendix B, we present interaction effect plots related to the investigations done at the reference case but then for other discharge heights and mixtures compositions.
- Figures B1 and B2 present the same information as Figure 20 (at xp = 0.5), but then for H = 4 meters and H = 6 meters, respectively. 
- Figures B3 and B4 present the same information as Figure 21 (at xp = 0.5), but then for H = 4 meters and H = 6 meters, respectively.
- Figures B5 and B6 present the same information as Figure 22 (at xp = 0.5), but then for H = 4 meters and H = 6 meters, respectively.
- Figures B7 and B8 present the same information as Figure 20 (at H = 2 meters), but then for xp = 0.3 meters and xp = 0.7, respectively. 
- Figures B9 and B10 present the same information as Figure 21 (at H = 2 meters), but then for xp = 0.3 meters and xp = 0.7, respectively. 
- Figures B11 and B12 present the same information as Figure 22 (at H = 2 meters), but then for xp = 0.3 meters and xp = 0.7, respectively. 
 

 

