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The results of investigation conducted on row-forming machine in the process of vermicompost production

 

A.G.Rybalko, V,Y.Spevak, R.A.Denisov

Saratov state agrarian university named after N.I. Vavilov, faculty of  agricultural machinery, Theatrical area 1, Saratov, Russia, 410600; E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

                             On the basis of analysis of existing technologies of vermicompost production it is of great interest are the possibilities of mechanization of row-forming process, especially, the row method with lateral distribution of top dressing.

 

                            

In order to mechanize the row formation process, we have developed the machine (Fig. 1) that operates as follows: After having loaded the bunker (2) by the substrate, the combing out transporter (3) is switched on, which drops the substrate through window (5) of the intake chute (4) onto the distributing transporter (6). The distributing transporter (6) unloads the substrate into the charging window A B, and by means of two forming units (9, 10) the is being shaped with the given cross-section (h – the height of row; b1 – the with of the lower base of the row; β – angle of inclination of the row surfaces) (Fig. 2). After having formed the first row, the distributing transporter (6) on the traveling platform (7), by means of screw-and-nut transmission (18) is moved along the guides (8) in transverse direction and after that, the row formation process is initiated from the reverse side of the machine.

 

Fig.2. The method of rows formation in the process of vermicompost production:

1 – site; 2 – row;  3 – top dressing

                            

The proposed assembly provides not only formation of row of a given dimension but further uniform distribution of fresh substrate. For fresh substrate distribution on the right-hand side of the main row (2), stopper (17) is removed and the bottom part of the left-hand row-former is thrown back, meanwhile the right-hand row-former is remained in the starting position. Distributing transporter (6) on traveling platform (7) is transposed along guide (8) in transverse direction for a distance equal to b₂  - being thickness of fresh top dressing layer, after which the distribution process is realized.

                             In the process of investigation and optimization of design-and-technology parameters of the present machine we have used non-composite 3-factor plan of Box-Benken. For this purpose we have selected the levels and intervals of the selected factors variation which are shown in Table 1 and optimization criterion – the uniformity of the substrate distribution discharged from the distributing transporter into the row q (kg/m).

Table 1. Variation factors, levels and intervals.

 

                             On the basis of these data we have constructed the two-dimensional surface sections responses (Fig. 3, 4). The graphic analysis of surface responses allows to determine for each concrete case the optimal values of the substrate distribution uniformity q_sbst  discharged from distributing transporter in the process of main row formation depending upon the velocity of the distributing transporter belt v_tr and layer height on the transporter belt h_laier.

 

 

Fig.3. The two-dimensional section of the respond surface that characterizes the substrate distribution uniformity factor q _sustr in the process of main row formation depending upon the machine velocity v_mach  (X3) and the height of substrate on the distributing transporter belt  h _layer (X2)  when the velocity of the distributing transporter belt is equal to v_tr  (X1) = 0.307 m/sec.

 

 

Fig.4.  The two-dimensional section of the respond surface that characterizes the substrate distribution uniformity factor q _sustr in the process of main row formation depending upon the  velocity of the distributing transporter belt  v_tr  (X1) and the velocity of the machine v_machine (X3)  and the height of substrate on the distributing transporter belt  h _layer (X2)  = 0.065 m.

The analysis of the two-dimensional sections (Fig. 3, 4) allowed to determine that the optimal uniformity of the substrate distribution discharged from the distributing transporter in the process of row formation was q_substr = 69.5 kg/m when the machine velocity varied within v_mach = 0.108 – 0.114 m/sec, and the substrate height on the distributing transporter belt h _layer = 0.06-0.072 m and the  velocity of the distributing transporter belt  v_tr  = 0.3 – 0.34 m/sec.

                             The efficiency of the row forming machine was Q = 8 kg/sec. The power consumption of the machine in the process of row formation was NΣ = 1.15 kW.

 

References

1. Certificate of utility model â„–24463 RF. Device for ridge forming on production of biohumus // Spevak V.J., Denisov R.A., Dmitriev V.F., Spevak N.V. Publ. 10.08.02. Bui. â„–22.

2. Denisov R.A. Technology perfection of production of vermicompost, with development and substantiation of operation factors of device for ridge forming and additional fertilizing distribution: Dis... cand. of tech. Science - Saratov, 2003. - 185 p.