  Using discrete element methods, we study numerically the dynamics of the size
segregation process of binary particle mixtures in three-dimensional rotating
drums, operated in the continuous flow regime. Particle rotations are included
and we focus on different volume filling fractions of the drum to study the
interplay between the competing phenomena of mixing and segregation. It is
found that segregation is best for a more than half-filled drum due to the
non-zero width of the fluidized layer. For different particle size ratios, it
is found that radial segregation occurs for any arbitrary small particle size
difference and the final amount of segregation shows a linear dependence on the
size ratio of the two particle species. To quantify the interplay between
segregation and mixing, we investigate the dynamics of the center of mass
positions for each particle component. Starting with initially separated
particle groups we find that no mixing of the component is necessary in order
to obtain a radially segregated core.
