Using a kinetic theory approach incorporating interaction with the air to model granular flow down a chute

Kinetic theory-based models used to study the flow o f granular material down an inclined chute have usually ignored the effect o f the interstitial gas. In this paper, we derive new expressions for the drag force and energy dissipation caused by the interstitial gas. We apply this new model to fully-developed steady mixture flows down a simple inclined chute and compare the results to other simulations. Our results show that the interstitial gas plays a significant role in modifying the characteristics o f fully-developed flow, especially for small particles.