Parameter optimization of fluted-roller meter using discrete element method

Authors

  • Yuxiang Huang College of Mechanical and Electric Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
  • Botao Wang College of Mechanical and Electric Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
  • Yuxiang Yao College of Mechanical and Electric Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
  • Shangpeng Ding College of Mechanical and Electric Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
  • Junchang Zhang College of Mechanical and Electric Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
  • Ruixiang Zhu College of Mechanical and Electric Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China

Keywords:

discrete element method, fertilizer, flow evenness, fluted-roller meter, optimization

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. Keywords: discrete element method, fertilizer, flow evenness, fluted-roller meter, optimization DOI: 10.25165/j.ijabe.20181106.3573 Citation: Huang Y X, Wang B T, Yao Y X, Ding S P, Zhang J C, Zhu R X. Parameter optimization of fluted-roller meter using discrete element method. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2018; 11(6): 65–72.

Author Biographies

Yuxiang Huang, College of Mechanical and Electric Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China

Northwest A&F University, College of Mechanical and Electric Engineering PhD, Associate Professor

Botao Wang, College of Mechanical and Electric Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China

Northwest A&F University, College of Mechanical and Electric Engineering Master Student

Yuxiang Yao, College of Mechanical and Electric Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China

Northwest A&F University, College of Mechanical and Electric Engineering Master Student

Shangpeng Ding, College of Mechanical and Electric Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China

Northwest A&F University, College of Mechanical and Electric Engineering Master Student

Junchang Zhang, College of Mechanical and Electric Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China

Northwest A&F University, College of Mechanical and Electric Engineering M.D., Associate Professor

Ruixiang Zhu, College of Mechanical and Electric Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China

Northwest A&F University, College of Mechanical and Electric Engineering M.D., Professor

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Published

2018-12-08

How to Cite

Huang, Y., Wang, B., Yao, Y., Ding, S., Zhang, J., & Zhu, R. (2018). Parameter optimization of fluted-roller meter using discrete element method. International Journal of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, 11(6), 65–72. Retrieved from https://ijabe.migration.pkpps03.publicknowledgeproject.org/index.php/ijabe/article/view/3573

Issue

Vol. 11 No. 6 (2018): IJABE

Section

Power and Machinery Systems

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