For a more accurate study of the kinetics of the barley seeds drying, a convective drying stand with a computerized system of data acquisition and processing on the change in the mass and temperature of the sample from the drying time was used. The kinetic curves of the drying process under the action of three factors were constructed: the temperature of the coolant, heating medium movement rate and the initial moisture content of the seeds. Studies were also conducted and the germination of barley seeds under the action of these factors was analysed. Studies have shown that all factors affect the kinetics of the drying process, but the greatest influence on the germination of seed material comes from the influence of the temperature of the coolant. A three-factor effect on the germination of barley seeds on the 7th day of germination is presented, that indicates the need for low-temperature drying at a coolant temperature of 50°C. In order to increase the intensification and energy efficiency of the drying process, the proposed two-stage drying mode is 65/50°C, which provides intensive heating and evaporation of moisture from the material at the initial stage of the process. Studies on the germination of barley seeds in a two-stage mode showed that the specified drying mode provides a high germination rate of the material up to 99%, an intensity of 83% and an energy efficiency of 62% compared to a rational single-stage drying mode of 50°C and can be recommended for drying barley seeds.

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Processes of classification (separation) of dry and damp dispersive materials are wide spread in metallurgy, construction, agriculture, in chemical, food, processing industry and in other branches. Therefore, constructors and technologists pay a lot of attention for rationalization of these processes and equipment for their realization in direction of increase of productivity and quality of classification, reliability of machines, decrease of power-consuming. In last decades in Ukraine with development of small and middle farming enterprises there is a tendency of increase of variety of grain raw materials by kinds, grades, humidity, sizes, mass, density and volume of particles. All this should consider food and processing enterprises which often work in quite intensive regime in a period of harvest. So, in last time there become more strong demands to efficiency of technological preparation of processes classification for selection of most rational method, equipment and regimes of processing with consideration of parameters of raw materials and demands of further technological processes (grinding, mixing, heating, cooking, frying etc). Because of that, there will be useful a method of automated technological projection of classification processes of dry dispersive materials, proposed in this article. The method allows to elaborate most effective technology of classification with consideration of volume of output program, time for its fulfilment, geometrical and structural-mechanical properties of processed material, characteristics of available equipment for classification and criterions of efficiency of elaborated technology – productivity and specified operational expenses for its realization. The method can be used as a base for elaboration of a computer program of automated synthesis and analysis of rational technological processes of classification of grain raw materials.

The practical use of biofuels is a very controversial, complex and ambiguous issue. Biofuels are considered to be a means of getting rid of many problems. It has gained this reputation due to the lack of attention paid to the complex processes of production of biofuels and raw materials from which it is produced, as well as the great difficulties that arise in its use. Unfortunately, little attention is paid to the fact that different types of biofuels are completely different in terms of their impact on cars, engines, fuel equipment and not all meet the requirements for them when working in the agro-industrial complex. In fact, it is already clear that the daily unregulated use of biofuels will lead to numerous failures of diesel engines and huge repair costs. Each family of biofuels is produced using different technologies. Despite this, work in this direction is being actively pursued, there are still no standards for various types of biofuels, as well as for the raw materials used, production and technological processes and environmental standards. In practice, this may mean that different biofuel producers will sell under the same name fuels with very different physical and chemical characteristics, not to mention that they contain potentially hazardous substances. In addition, its effect on engine mechanics, whether biofuel in a mixture with conventional or pure biofuel, whatever it may be, has not been sufficiently studied. Biofuel itself can be a strong solvent and gradually clog the injectors with dissolved substances. Biofuels made from ethanol can be hygroscopic, and the moisture dissolved in them affects the corrosion of engine parts. Components of such fuels can also adversely affect engine gaskets and seals, as well as fuel supply systems made from organic materials. Simply put, there is a clear incompatibility between the materials of modern diesel engines and biofuels when used in high concentrations.

It is important to study the patterns of drying grain seeds in order to improve the energy efficiency of the process. Energy efficiency is one of the main parameters that define the choice of a drying schedule. Traditional drying technologies are based on low temperature schedules, which do not allow significantly intensifying the process by increasing the temperature of the heat agent because of substantial reductions in the quality of the material. To adequately assess the drying schedules, we conducted the study of drying grain seeds at low temperatures aimed to preserve the seed properties of the material. To increase the energy efficiency of the drying process, a step-by-step descending low-temperature drying schedule was suggested, which provides for the required quality of seed material. All the proposed technical solutions for the energy-efficient schedules of drying grain seeds were summarized in the recommendations for industrial drying in column type direct-flow grain dryers.