Estimation of Void Fraction in a Three Component Random Mixture of Spheres

A simple model of a three component random mixture of spherical particles was proposed for estimating the void fraction, which is an important property of the particle bed. In this model, the void fraction in a three component mixture is estimated from the void fraction in the uniform-sized particle bed, the fractional volume of each particle and the particle diameter. To verify the validity of the model, the void fraction calculated from the model was compared with the experimental data of three component mixtures of spherical (glass beads) and irregularly shaped (crushed glass) particles. Agreement between them has been fairly good. This model is useful for estimating the void fraction in three component mixtures of spherical and irregularly shaped particles.