Issue №: 2 (129)
The journal solves the problems of creation and improvement of machinery and technologies for agriculture: 131 - Applied Mechanics, 132 - Materials Science, 133 - Industrial Engineering, 141 - Power Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Electromechanics, 208 - Agricultural Engineering.
RESULTS OF EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES OF A CASTOR SEED CLEANING MACHINE
Elchyn ALIIEV – Doctor of Technical Sciences, Senior Researcher, Professor of the Department of Technical Systems Engineering of Dnipro State Agrarian and Economic University (St. S. Efremova, 25, Dnipro, Ukraine, 49000, e-mail: aliev@meta.ua, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4006-8803).
Valentyn HOLOVCHENKO – Postgraduate Student, Junior Research Associate of the Department of Technical Systems Engineering of Dnipro State Agrarian and Economic University (St. S. Efremova, 25, Dnipro, Ukraine, 49000, e-mail: golovchenkov@i.ua, https://orcid.org/0009-0007-9719-126X).
The study addresses the pressing issue of improving the efficiency of post-harvest processing of castor (Ricinus communis), particularly the cleaning of its seeds. Castor is a valuable industrial crop, the seeds of which contain up to 50% oil that is widely used across various industries. Despite the growing demand for castor oil, the widespread introduction of this crop into agricultural production is hindered by the lack of effective technical means for seed cleaning, which would take into account its specific physical and mechanical properties. Existing grain cleaning machines are insufficiently effective for processing castor seeds, resulting in significant losses of planting material and reduced oil yield.
The aim of the research is to develop an experimental prototype of a machine for cleaning castor seeds and to determine the optimal operating parameters. The study presents the design and working principle of the experimental setup, which consists of a mechanical seed separation unit, an aerodynamic cleaning system, and a control system with a frequency converter. To evaluate the performance of the machine, experimental studies were conducted in which the following parameters were varied: the distance between the crushing cones, their rotational speed, and the air flow velocity.
As a result of the experimental studies of the processes of seed separation and cleaning, the dependencies of the main operational indicators of the developed machine – productivity Q, power consumption P, specific energy consumption E, share of unhulled fruits ξf, and content of valuable seed in the receiver ψs-s – on the design and operating parameters (distance between the return and crushing cones δ, rotational speed of the crushing cone n, and air flow velocity V) were determined. Statistical analysis of the obtained regression equations allowed for the assessment of the influence of each studied factor on the output indicators, identification of the most significant parameters, and development of adequate mathematical models.
Parameter optimization was carried out using the scalar ranking method with minimization of a multiplicative objective function in the Wolfram Cloud environment. This made it possible to determine the optimal values of control parameters (δ = 10.8 mm; n = 563 rpm; V = 3.6 m/s) that provide the best combination of energy efficiency and technological quality of the process (E = 0.0394 MJ/kg; Q = 163.4 kg/h; P = 1861 W; ξf = 0.099; ψs-s = 0.958). The obtained results confirm the efficiency of the proposed machine design and the feasibility of its further implementation in industrial conditions for cleaning castor seeds.
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About the journal
G8 – Materials Science
G9 – Applied Mechanics
G10 – Metallurgy
G11 – Mechanical Engineering (by specializations)
The journal "Engineering, Energy, Transport AIC" is indexed according to the following databases and catalogs:
The All-Ukrainian scientific journal “Technology, energy, agriculture transport AIC” is an open-access scientific publication that publishes the results of original research, theoretical and applied developments, as well as scientific papers in the fields of engineering sciences, energy systems, and transport technologies of the agro-industrial complex.
The main objective of the scientific journal “Technology, energy, agriculture transport AIC” is to disseminate the results of modern scientific research and to promote the development of technical, energy, and transport solutions for the agro-industrial complex through the publication of scientific materials characterized by scientific novelty and practical significance in the field of design and modernization of machinery, equipment, and technologies.
The journal’s activities are focused on supporting the development of engineering science, stimulating the implementation of innovative approaches into industrial practice, as well as ensuring effective exchange of scientific achievements among researchers, educators, engineers, and other specialists in relevant fields.
Objectives of the Journal
To achieve its defined objective, the journal ensures the implementation of the following key tasks:
· publication of the results of fundamental and applied research covering the fields of applied mechanics, mechanical engineering, materials science, energy systems, electrical engineering, electromechanics, and transport systems of the agro-industrial sector;
· promotion of the implementation of advanced technical and technological developments aimed at improving the efficiency of machinery, equipment, and production processes;
· creation of conditions for active scientific exchange among research institutions, higher education institutions, industrial enterprises, and other interested organizations;
· support for the development of interdisciplinary research and expansion of cooperation among specialists in various fields of science and technology;
· promotion of the improvement of the scientific and technical level of research related to the design, modernization, and operation of technical equipment used in agro-industrial production;
· dissemination of information on modern achievements in science and technology and the implementation of innovative technologies in the fields of technical support, energy, and transport;
· development of a scientific information environment that facilitates effective scientific communication and the integration of national research into the international scientific community.
Publication frequency: 4 issues per year
Languages of publication: Ukrainian, English
Editor-in-Chief: Vitalii YAROPUD
State Registration: Decision of the National Council of Ukraine on Television and Radio Broadcasting № 1337 and № 1180. Media Identifier: R30-05173
EDRPOU Code: 00497236
Publisher ROR: https://ror.org/05m3ysc06
Publisher DOI Prefix: 10.37128
Technology, energy, agriculture transport AIC is a scholarly professional journal with a long-standing history and stable academic tradition, reflecting the evolution of engineering and technical sciences within the agro-industrial sector of Ukraine.
The journal was founded in 1997 under the title Bulletin of Vinnytsia State Agricultural Institute. According to the Resolution of the Presidium of the Higher Attestation Commission of Ukraine dated September 11, 1997, the publication obtained the status of a professional scientific journal, which enabled the publication of the main results of doctoral and candidate dissertations in technical sciences. From its inception, the journal positioned itself as an academic platform for addressing current issues of mechanization, electrification, and technical support of agricultural production. During 2001–2014, the journal was published under the title Proceedings of Vinnytsia National Agrarian University. Series: Technical Sciences (State Registration Certificate of Print Media KV No. 16644-5116 PR dated April 30, 2010). Throughout this period, a systematic approach to the selection and peer review of scientific manuscripts was established, the thematic scope of publications was expanded, and continuity of scientific directions as well as the development of sectoral engineering schools was ensured. Since 2015, the journal has been published under its current title, Technology, energy, agriculture transport AIC (State Registration Certificate No. 21906-11806 R dated March 12, 2016). The change of title reflected the expansion of the journal’s thematic coverage and its orientation toward interdisciplinary research in mechanical engineering, energy systems, electrical engineering, transport technologies, automation, and digital solutions for the agro-industrial complex.
