Experimental and mathematical research of kernel motion on an inclined vibration plane at fodder grain micronization

Abstract

The efficiency of the micronization process by means of infrared radiation is determined not only by the type of a radiation source and its location relative to a transporting surface but also by the ability of the transporting surface to provide the equable movement of grain material. During the development of a micronization unit, grain material shifting to the periphery by the motion on a flat vibrating plane was revealed. This makes fodder grain micronization more difficult. The additional studies of a single kernel motion trajectory proved the revealed peculiarity. The cause of grain shifting is the component of gravity by the change of the surface inclination angle. At the same time, the proposed design solutions for the micronization unit and improving the formation of fluidized bed create turning-vibrational motions in a cross-sectional plane. This gives additional Coriolis force influencing the kernel and making an impact on the kernel shifting pattern. To eliminate grain shifting to the periphery it is proposed to change the flection of the transporting surface in the design of grain micronization unit. For automation of calculation processes and simulation of kernel motion trajectory on an inclined plane, a special program was developed using the language Visual C# which allowed simulating the motion trajectory according to the given parameters. The simulation has revealed that by kernel movement an inclined plane, which radius makes 0.155 m, the peripheral shifting is absent and a kernel along with longitudinal movements on the transporting surface makes also transverse ones. Experimental verification of the mathematical modeling results has shown the validity of the calculations. At the same time, the study of kernel motion in a grain layer has shown kernels moving in transverse direction. In relation to the fodder grain micronization unit, it means that kernels due to the transverse motion on the transporting surface cross the zones with different intensity of infrared radiation which allows proving the equal heating conditions for all kernels in a moving grain layer.