ANALYSIS OF RESEARCH TRENDS IN AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING

Nowadays it is necessary to define actual global research trends in disciplines in order to determine the major research topics, discoveries and global scientific networks. The goal of the work was to determine the main topics and research trends in agricultural engineering. For this caser he method of modified bibliometric analysis was applied. Such analysis of the keywords frequency occurrence and the links between the keywords in Biosystems Engineering Journal shows that in the three analysed periods, certain keywords invariably remain dominant. These are “model”, “system” or “systems”, “temperature” and “water”. The highest number of publications was qualified for the CIGR section: Information Technology. It can be, therefore, stated that in the recent period the most intensively developing researches were dedicated to the application of IT tools in creation various types of models, allowing to simulate and optimize agricultural processes. A majority of publications covered decision-making support (Decision Support Systems), image analysis application, and automation of agricultural processes

Effect of Compaction Pressure and Moisture Content on Quality Parameters of Perennial Biomass Pellets

In Poland the use of solid biomass obtained from intentional plantations of energy plants is increasing. This biomass is most often processed into solid fuels. There are growing indications that renewable energy sources, in particular biomass production, will continue to develop, so the better we know the raw material, the more effectively we will be able to use it. The results of tests that determine the impact of compaction pressure on selected quality parameters of pellets made from selected biomass types are presented. Material from plants such as Giant miscanthus (Miscanthus × giganteus Greef et Deu), Cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum L.), Virginia mallow (Sida hermaphrodita (L.) Rusby) was studied. The compaction process was carried out using the SIRIO P400 hydraulic press with a closed chamber with a diameter of 12 mm. Samples were made in four pressures: 131; 196; 262; 327 MPa and three moisture levels: 8%, 11%, 14%. It was found that with increasing compaction pressure and moisture content up to a certain point, the density and durability of the pellets also increased. Each of the materials is characterized by a specific course of changes in the parameters tested

Drying kinetics of RDF: Experimental investigation and modeling

An experimental study was performed to determine the drying characteristics of an oversized fraction of RDF alternative fuel using a laboratory scale hot air dryer at a variety air temperatures and a constant air velocity. For this research the industrial RDF was derived from a Regional Municipal Waste Treatment Facility near the city of Kraków, Poland. The samples of RDF were prepared in two forms: ovesized (unmodified condition) and shreded in a two-drum crusher. In addition, the RDF was sorted into three groups of samples: paper, plastic, textiles. Each form of RDF and each group of samples were dried in hot air dryer at temperatures of 50, 70 i 90 °C and a constant air velocity of 1,5 [m·s-1]. The loss of the the samples mass were measured in a continues manner until the equilibrum moisture content was reached. The effective moisture diffusivity [m2·s-1] and activation energies [kJ·mol-1] was amounted. The analysis of the course of moisture content change concludes that that the drying of the RDF alternative fuel occured mainly in the II period of the process during which the transport of water content was carried out by diffusion. And, to a lesser extent, with the surface heat transfer in II period. Based on the calculated data there was a model determined which presented the best possible matching of the course of moisture content change

Drying kinetics of RDF: Experimental investigation and modeling

An experimental study was performed to determine the drying characteristics of an oversized fraction of RDF alternative fuel using a laboratory scale hot air dryer at a variety air temperatures and a constant air velocity. For this research the industrial RDF was derived from a Regional Municipal Waste Treatment Facility near the city of Kraków, Poland. The samples of RDF were prepared in two forms: ovesized (unmodified condition) and shreded in a two-drum crusher. In addition, the RDF was sorted into three groups of samples: paper, plastic, textiles. Each form of RDF and each group of samples were dried in hot air dryer at temperatures of 50, 70 i 90 °C and a constant air velocity of 1,5 [m·s-1]. The loss of the the samples mass were measured in a continues manner until the equilibrum moisture content was reached. The effective moisture diffusivity [m2·s-1] and activation energies [kJ·mol-1] was amounted. The analysis of the course of moisture content change concludes that that the drying of the RDF alternative fuel occured mainly in the II period of the process during which the transport of water content was carried out by diffusion. And, to a lesser extent, with the surface heat transfer in II period. Based on the calculated data there was a model determined which presented the best possible matching of the course of moisture content change

Digestate, ash and Trichoderm based fertilizer – production line concept design

Paper presents design process of the prototype line, dedicated for production of fertilizer pellets from digestate-ash mixture. For enrichment of the nutritional characteristics of the final product additives were also used, like urea, elemental sulphur or phosphorite, and special fungal strains from Trichoderma spieces. During this process raw material will be dried (raw digestated), mixed, granulated and packed in one technological line. Presented concept, shows that there is possible to produce high quality fertilizer, from waste materials derrived form Green energy production, what should be one of very interesting ways to develop digestate and ash from biomass combustion

Influence of the composition and agglomeration pressure on the compaction level of the fertilizers based on biomass ash and digestate

The paper presents the results of research aimed at determining the influence of the composition of the fertilizer mixtures and the compaction pressure on the specific density and density index of fertilizer granules. Investigated mixtures were prepared from fly ash from power plant fuelled by biomass and digestate from biogas plant. The urea, sulfur and phosphorite were also added as enhancing additives. For granule samples made on a strength machine, their specific density was determined on a quasifluid-pycnometer. To determine the effect of agglomerate pressure on the compaction process, the absolute density of the materials was omitted. In such case it was needed to introduce a density index AI. Such a presentation of the results obtained has made it possible to clearly determine how the density of the test mixture results in the applied agglomeration pressure. The specific density of the resulting granules was in the range of 0.85-1.27 g/cm3. The determined density index for the given pressure was in the following ranges: 0.44-0.49 g/cm3 (pressure 100MPa), 0.47-0.51 g/cm3 (pressure 150MPa) 0.51 - 0.59 g/cm3 (200MPa pressure). This means that, regardless of the contribution of components to the mixture at the given pressure, a similar degree of compaction was obtained

Influence of the composition and agglomeration pressure on the compaction level of the fertilizers based on biomass ash and digestate

The paper presents the results of research aimed at determining the influence of the composition of the fertilizer mixtures and the compaction pressure on the specific density and density index of fertilizer granules. Investigated mixtures were prepared from fly ash from power plant fuelled by biomass and digestate from biogas plant. The urea, sulfur and phosphorite were also added as enhancing additives. For granule samples made on a strength machine, their specific density was determined on a quasifluid-pycnometer. To determine the effect of agglomerate pressure on the compaction process, the absolute density of the materials was omitted. In such case it was needed to introduce a density index AI. Such a presentation of the results obtained has made it possible to clearly determine how the density of the test mixture results in the applied agglomeration pressure. The specific density of the resulting granules was in the range of 0.85-1.27 g/cm3. The determined density index for the given pressure was in the following ranges: 0.44-0.49 g/cm3 (pressure 100MPa), 0.47-0.51 g/cm3 (pressure 150MPa) 0.51 - 0.59 g/cm3 (200MPa pressure). This means that, regardless of the contribution of components to the mixture at the given pressure, a similar degree of compaction was obtained

Digestate, ash and Trichoderm based fertilizer – production line concept design

Paper presents design process of the prototype line, dedicated for production of fertilizer pellets from digestate-ash mixture. For enrichment of the nutritional characteristics of the final product additives were also used, like urea, elemental sulphur or phosphorite, and special fungal strains from Trichoderma spieces. During this process raw material will be dried (raw digestated), mixed, granulated and packed in one technological line. Presented concept, shows that there is possible to produce high quality fertilizer, from waste materials derrived form Green energy production, what should be one of very interesting ways to develop digestate and ash from biomass combustion

Conceptual design of the mobile granulation line for production fertilizers from digestates and ash mixtures

Paper presents a concept of the mobile line for the production of granulated fertilizer from digestates and ash mixtures. The main assumption of the designed line is its mobility which allows line work in the place of production of digestate. The premise for developing such model of line was the fact that the transport of highly hydrated digestate, as well as its dried form, is not advisable for economic reasons. More advantageous solution is to collect the digestate at the place of its production and it is processed into a fertilizer. Loose components, characterized by high bulk density, can be delivered to the place of production and the same means of transport can be used to transport the produced fertilizer to warehouse. This production model allows to process the digestate produced in several biogas plants, using one production line and reducing the cost of production. of fertilizer granules and the mobile line is transported to the next post-fermentation production point. Based on an analysis of the raw material characteristics and preliminary research on the raw materials mixture granulation process it was assumed that the stage of 3 hrs mixture stabilization time is required in the line

Conceptual design of the mobile granulation line for production fertilizers from digestates and ash mixtures

Paper presents a concept of the mobile line for the production of granulated fertilizer from digestates and ash mixtures. The main assumption of the designed line is its mobility which allows line work in the place of production of digestate. The premise for developing such model of line was the fact that the transport of highly hydrated digestate, as well as its dried form, is not advisable for economic reasons. More advantageous solution is to collect the digestate at the place of its production and it is processed into a fertilizer. Loose components, characterized by high bulk density, can be delivered to the place of production and the same means of transport can be used to transport the produced fertilizer to warehouse. This production model allows to process the digestate produced in several biogas plants, using one production line and reducing the cost of production. of fertilizer granules and the mobile line is transported to the next post-fermentation production point. Based on an analysis of the raw material characteristics and preliminary research on the raw materials mixture granulation process it was assumed that the stage of 3 hrs mixture stabilization time is required in the line