Segregation phases in a vibrated binary granular layer

This chapter presents the results of an experimental study of patterned segregation in a horizontally shaken shallow layer of a binary mixture of dry particles. In segregation, excitation via flow or shaking can cause an initially homogeneous mixture of grains to de-mix. However, it does not always happen and the conditions for its occurrence are difficult to predict. Hence, a better understanding would have a major economic impact in the pharmaceutical, chemical processing and civil engineering industries. The result of the experiment described in the chapter showed that as the compacity, C , of the mixture was increased; the evolution of three distinct phases was observed. It is classified 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 slow oscillatory state was observed.