Development of a stereovision-based technique to measure the spread patterns of granular fertilizer spreaders

Centrifugal fertilizer spreaders are by far the most commonly used granular fertilizer spreader type in Europe. Their spread pattern however is error-prone, potentially leading to an undesired distribution of particles in the field and losses out of the field, which is often caused by poor calibration of the spreader for the specific fertilizer used. Due to the large environmental impact of fertilizer use, it is important to optimize the spreading process and minimize these errors. Spreader calibrations can be performed by using collection trays to determine the (field) spread pattern, but this is very time-consuming and expensive for the farmer and hence not common practice. Therefore, we developed an innovative multi-camera system to predict the spread pattern in a fast and accurate way, independent of the spreader configuration. Using high-speed stereovision, ejection parameters of particles leaving the spreader vanes were determined relative to a coordinate system associated with the spreader. The landing positions and subsequent spread patterns were determined using a ballistic model incorporating the effect of tractor motion and wind. Experiments were conducted with a commercial spreader and showed a high repeatability. The results were transformed to one spatial dimension to enable comparison with transverse spread patterns determined in the field and showed similar results

Predviđanje kotrljanja čestice đubriva duž lopatice centrifugalnog rasipača sa diskom

The paper analyzes the motion of idealized spherical homogeneous fertilizer particle along the straight vane attached to flat rotating disc. The analysis, based on the assumption on the pure rolling of the particle along the vane (without sliding), has been performed in the non-inertial reference coordinate system, which rotates together with the spreader disk. The particle motion along the vane is described by hyperbolic cosine function, which is the solution of the ordinary in-homogenous secondorder differential equation having constant coefficients. Solution of this kind represents an approximation of the real motion of fertilizer particle along the radial vane fixed to horizontal disc rotating at constant angular velocity. However, it can be very useful for optimization of centrifugal spreader design and working parameters, as well as for further analysis of the whole fertilizer spreading process that also includes particle flight.U radu je analizirano kretanje idealizovane, loptaste, homogene čestice mineralnog đubriva duž radijalne lopatice postavljene na rotirajućem disku centrifugalnog rasipača đubriva. Analiza, zasnovana na pretpostavci o kotrljanju čestice duž lopatice bez klizanja, izvedena je u neinercijalnom referentnom koordinatnom sistemu koji rotira zajedno sa diskom za rasipanje đubriva. Kretanje čestice duž lopatice je opisano hiperboličnom kosinusnom funkcijom, koja predstavlja rešenje obične homogene diferencijalne jednačine drugog reda sa konstantnim koeficijentima, koja opisuje dinamiku čestice. Rešenje ove vrste predstavlja aproksimaciju stvarnog kretanja čestice đubriva duž lopatice diska koji rotira konstantnom ugaonom brzinom. Međutim, može biti veoma korisno za optimizaciju dizajna centrifugalnog raspršivača i njegovih radnih parametara, kao i za dalju analizu čitavog procesa rasipanja đubriva koji obuhvata i let čestice u vazduhu po napuštanju lopatice

Proceedings of the European Conference on Agricultural Engineering AgEng2021

This proceedings book results from the AgEng2021 Agricultural Engineering Conference under auspices of the European Society of Agricultural Engineers, held in an online format based on the University of Évora, Portugal, from 4 to 8 July 2021. This book contains the full papers of a selection of abstracts that were the base for the oral presentations and posters presented at the conference. Presentations were distributed in eleven thematic areas: Artificial Intelligence, data processing and management; Automation, robotics and sensor technology; Circular Economy; Education and Rural development; Energy and bioenergy; Integrated and sustainable Farming systems; New application technologies and mechanisation; Post-harvest technologies; Smart farming / Precision agriculture; Soil, land and water engineering; Sustainable production in Farm buildings

Formulation, utilisation and evaluation of organomineral fertilisers

The water industry recognises significant cost advantages in recycling sewage sludge (biosolids) to agricultural land compared with alternative more expensive disposal options such as incineration or landfill. A recent technique was proposed by United Utilities plc for the production of organomineral fertilisers (OMF) from biosolids granules which adds additional nitrogen to the biosolids’ nutrients to form a balanced NPK fertiliser. The aim of this research was to determine the effects in cereal and grass crops of using organomineral fertilisers (OMF) made from nutrients-enriched biosolids granules and to contribute towards the understanding of nutrient management and dynamics in agricultural systems. The research included soil incubation, glasshouse, lysimeters and field studies which used winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). A theoretical model was developed for fertiliser particle distribution studies which required the determination of key physical properties of the products. Two OMF formulations have been suggested: OMF10 and OMF15 which have the following NPK compositions: 10:4:4 and 15:4:4 respectively. These were suggested for use in grassland as well as arable cropping. The particle trajectory model showed that the particle size range for OMF10 and OMF15 should be between 1.10 and 5.50 mm and between 1.05 and 5.30 mm in diameter respectively. Cont/d.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Best Available Techniques (BAT) Reference Document for the Intensive Rearing of Poultry or Pigs. Industrial Emissions Directive 2010/75/EU (Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control)

The BAT reference document (BREF) entitled 'Intensive Rearing of Poultry or Pigs' forms part of a series presenting the results of an exchange of information between EU Member States, the industries concerned, non-governmental organisations promoting environmental protection, and the Commission, to draw up, review and, where necessary, update BAT reference documents as required by Article 13(1) of the Directive 2010/75/EU on industrial emissions. This document is published by the European Commission pursuant to Article 13(6) of the Directive. This BREF for Intensive Rearing of Poultry or Pigs concerns the activities specified in Section 6.6 of Annex I to Directive 2010/75/EU, namely '6.6. Intensive rearing of poultry or pigs': (a) with more than 40 000 places for poultry (b) with more than 2 000 places for production pigs (over 30 kg), or (c) with more than 750 places for sows. In particular, this document covers the following on-farm processes and activities: - nutritional management of poultry and pigs; - feed preparation (milling, mixing and storage); - rearing (housing) of poultry and pigs; - collection and storage of manure; - processing of manure; - manure landspreading; - storage of dead animals. Important issues for the implementation of Directive 2010/75/EU in the intensive rearing of poultry or pigs are ammonia emissions to air, total nitrogen and total phosphorus excreted. This BREF contains ten chapters. Chapter 1 provides general information on pig and poultry production in Europe. Chapter 2 describes the major activities and production systems used in intensive poultry or pig production. Chapter 3 contains information on the environmental performance of installations in terms of current emissions, consumption of raw materials, water and energy. Chapter 4 describes in more detail the techniques to prevent or, where this is not practicable, to reduce the environmental impact of operating installations in this sector that were considered in determining the BAT. This information includes, where relevant, the environmental performance levels (e.g. emission and consumption levels) which can be achieved by using the techniques, the associated monitoring and the costs and the cross-media issues associated with the techniques. Chapter 5 presents the BAT conclusions as defined in Article 3(12) of the Directive. Chapter 6 presents information on 'emerging techniques' as defined in Article 3(14) of the Directive. Chapter 7 is dedicated to concluding remarks and recommendations for future work.JRC.B.5-Circular Economy and Industrial Leadershi

The Seine River Basin

This open access book reviews the water-agro-food and socio-eco-system of the Seine River basin (76,000 km2), and offers a historical perspective on the river’s long-term contamination. The Seine basin is inhabited by circa 17 million people and is impacted by intensive agricultural practices and industrial activities. These pressures have gradually affected its hydrological, chemical and ecological functioning, leading to a maximum chemical degradation between the 1960s and the 1990s. Over the last three decades, while major water-quality improvements have been observed, new issues (e.g. endocrine disruptors, microplastics) have also emerged. The state of the Seine River network, from the headwaters to estuary, is increasingly controlled by the balance between pressures and social responses. This socio-ecosystem provides a unique example of the functioning of a territory under heavy anthropogenic pressure during the Anthropocene era. The achievements made were possible due to the long-term PIREN Seine research program, established in 1989 and today part of the French socio-ecological research network “Zones Ateliers”, itself part of the international Long-term Socio-economic and Ecological Research Network (LTSER). Written by experts in the field, the book provides an introduction to the water budget and the territorial metabolism of the Seine basin, and studies the trajectories and impact of various pollutants in the Seine River. It offers insights into the ecological functioning, the integration of agricultural practices, the analysis of aquatic organic matter, and the evolution of fish assemblages in the Seine basin, and also presents research perspectives and approaches to improve the water quality of the Seine River. Given its scope, it will appeal to environmental managers, scientists and policymakers interested in the long-term contamination of the Seine River