Parameter optimization of fluted-roller meter using discrete element method

Abstract

The most important performance indicator of a fertilizer metering mechanism is the evenness of fertilizer flow. In this study, a regression mathematical model between the key operating parameters of the fluted roller meter and the flow evenness was developed to simulate a fluted-roller meter for metering diammonium phosphate fertilizer using the discrete element method (DEM). The model was verified by bench test using the same equipment and parameters as the DEM model. Selected working parameters of the fluted-roller meter, including roll length (L), roll rotational speed (n), and flap angle (α) (for fertilizer discharge control), were optimized to maximize the flow evenness. Flow evenness was assessed by the coefficient of variation (CV) of the discharging mass during the operation. The simulation and experiment results showed the similar trends, in terms of effects of machine parameters on the CV. The relative errors ranged from 0.2% to 34.6% with a mean of 10.5%. This demonstrated that the DEM model was feasible to simulate the metering process of the fluted-roller meter. The machine parameters that significantly affected the values of CV in descending order were α, L and n. Both simulation and measurement results revealed that the optimal machine parameters, represented by the minimum value of CV, were observed at L = 45 mm, n = 55 r/min and α = 22.5°. This combination of parameters returned CV values of 10.89% and 9.55% for simulations and measurements, respectively. The study provided useful information for guiding the design and selection of machine parameters for metering devices for fertilizer applications.

Sowing uniformity of bed-type pneumatic maize planter at various seedbed preparation levels and machine travel speeds

“…Moreover, the driving system for seed meters is changed from ground-wheel and chain-sprocket to electrical motor to drive precision seed unit that can change the rotational speed of metering unit with respect to forward traveling thus to eliminate the effects of ground-wheel slippage on sowing quality and get more uniform seed spacing [16] . In addition, a seed delivery system that transports seeds from seed meter to seed-bed is being developed to prevent the bump and skip between seeds and seed-tube, and as a result to maintain the uniformity of seed distribution [2,12,20] . Liu et al [21] investigated the relationship between the working parameters (the seeding rate and the airflow rate) and the test indexes (CV of evenness of feeding rate between rows and CV of seeding stability of total rows) of pneumatic seeding system, MATLAB software was used to simulate the regression equations.…”

Farklı Oluk Helis Açılarında Tasarlanan Makaralı Tip Ekici Düzen için Tohum Hasarının Belirlenmesi

“…Öztürk et al (2012) optimized the effect of flute shape, active flute length, and flute rotation speed on flow uniformity using the Taguchi method. Huang et al (2018) used the discrete element method (DEM) to determine the effect of roller length, flap angle, and roller rotational speed on flow uniformity in the roller-type metering device. On the other hand, Yu et al (2019) evaluated the performance of the seed and fertilizer application rate measuring system they developed using a roller-type metering device on a grain drill.…”

“…When the studies conducted so far are examined, the roller-type metering devices are in three types in terms of their structural design: fixed type (Lv et al, 2013;Huang et al, 2018), flapped type, and brushed type (Ryu and Kim, 1998;Zeng et al, 2020). Zeng et al (2020), stated that the common point of these roller types is the fluted roller itself (forced layer) where the flow is relatively stable and the space between the roller and the wall of the metering device (driving layer).…”

Structural design and parameter determination for fluted-roller fertilizer applicator

“…The main structure of the current fluted-roller fertilizer applicator can be summarized into three types (Figure 1). They are fixed type [18,19] , flexible discharging flap type [20] , and soft brush type [21] . The common point of three types is that there is a gap between the fertilizer-resistant part and the roller during the operation.…”