Numerical simulation of spreading performance and distribution pattern of centrifugal variable-rate fertilizer applicator based on DEM software
AUTHOR(S)
C. Man, D. Weimin, M. O. Odhiambo, S. Yinyan, W. Xiaochan
PUBLISHER
Elsevier
SOURCE
Computers and Electronics in Agriculture
YEAR
ABSTRACT
Farmers in China have been concerned with the efficiency and utilization rate of fertilizers, because of the rigorous implementation of China’s “dual-reduction” plan, which calls for reducing fertilizer and pesticide usage. This study was aimed to improve the spreading performance and fertilizer distribution uniformity of an independently developed centrifugal variable-rate fertilizer applicator. The spreading performance was evaluated by conducting discrete-element-simulation tests, and the relationship between the variations in the fertilizer particle distribution and the working parameters of the fertilizer spreader was analyzed. The quality of the particles was evaluated using a two-dimensional matrix, and the coefficient of variation of the transverse distribution of the fertilizer particles was determined.The results show that the shape of the distribution varies irregularly with the increase in the vane pitch angle, and the coefficient of variation decreases with the increase in the spreader disc height. Further, when the application flow rate is increased gradually, the coefficient of variation decreases rapidly first but gradually thereafter. In addition, with an increase in the rotational speed of the disc, the distribution gradually changes from a triangular shape to a W shape and ultimately to an M shape. The average coefficient of variation was the lowest (14.39%) for a single-row application flow rate of 300 g/s, a vane pitch angle of 15°, a spreader disc height of 95 cm, and a rotational speed of 600 r/min, with a good spreading uniformity.Field validation tests show that the average coefficient of variation with respect to the effective spreading swath width of the applicator was 16.74%. The relative error was 10.66% with respect to the simulation results, thus validating the simulation model and confirming its accuracy. The results show that the coefficient of variation for the developed variable-rate spreader is reduced, exhibiting a high spreading performance. The results serve as a theoretical basis for farmers for altering their traditional empirical fertilization techniques and should aid design and optimization of centrifugal variable-rate fertilizer applicators.
KEYWORDS
Centrifugal fertilizer spreader, field validation, Spreading performance, Variable-rate technology