Pelletization of invasive Reynoutria Japonica with spruce sawdust for energy recovery

The article focuses on processing of Reynoutria japonica an invasive alien species that is generally extirpated with major costs for its negative impact on biodiversity. It is the biodegradable waste that could be effectively used in energy industry. By examining first energy data (ash content, low melting temperature, nitrogen content etc.) it was found that Reynoutria japonica is not possible to be used separately for energy purposes. Therefore, the alternative of pelletizing six mixtures containing Reynoutria japonica and spruce sawdust in various content ratio was examined with the aim to produce alternative fuel pellets for automated boilers. The pelletization conditions were determined and the pellets quality was evaluated (durability, density etc.). Ash melting temperature was also evaluated. It was found none of the prepared mixtures needed an additional binder for a pelletizing process. It was assessed that the Reynoutria japonica input sample did not need to be dried after collection, since its moisture was sufficient for the pelletization. All samples met the parameters of the calorific value, which is greater than 10 MJ.Web of Science6361058104

Effect of the cleaning process on physical properties for different malting barley seed varieties

The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of the barley cleaning process in relation to physical properties. The knowledge of the range of changes in the physical parameters of processed material and their mutual relationships is required for the design and implementation of various technological processes. In this study were compared the input and output commodities in the primary postharvest cleaning process of undesirable components-occurring as admixtures of fine and coarse barley impurities as well as the barley component itself. An efficient cleaning process ensuring barley grain quality is a basic step in beer production. Therefore, seven bred varieties of brewing barley (Malz, Sebastian, Francin, KWS Irina1, KWS Irina2, Bojos, and Laudis) were tested for the qualitative assessment of the cleaning process. Physical parameters such as granulometry, bulk and tapped density, angle of repose, internal and wall friction angle, and flow functions were determined for all samples. In order to identify whether the barley variety or the sample cleaning significantly influences the determined physical properties, two-way ANOVA was applied. The results imply that barley cleaning had the main influence on wall friction angle, while the barley variety had a significant effect on effective internal friction. Moreover, the mechanical postharvest cleaning process reduces the overall wall friction.Web of Scienc

DEM investigation of the influence of particulate properties and operating conditions on the mixing process in rotary drums: Part 1-Determination of the DEM parameters and calibration process

This paper's goal was to select methods and a calibration procedure which would lead to the determination of relevant parameters of a discrete element method (DEM) and virtual material creation. Seven particulates were selected with respect to their shape (spherical and non-spherical), size and density. The first calibration experiment involved "packing test" to determine the shape accuracy and bulk density of virtual packed particulates. The series of simulations were compared with real experiments, and the size, shape and density of virtual particles were optimized. Using three apparatuses, the input parameter values were experimentally determined for a contact model that defines the behavior of particulates in DEM simulations. The research part of the paper examines the influence of factors such as particle number; pile formation method; and the method of evaluation of the angle of repose on the process of the calibration of virtual material. The most reproducible results were achieved by the "pilling" method and by the rotating drum-both evaluated by the geometric method. However, it is always advisable to make an overall visual comparison of the slope shape between the calibration simulation and the experimental curves. The bowl's diameter to particle size ratio should be greater than 25, and the calibration experiment should contain approximately 4000 particles to ensure representative results during angle of repose calibration experiment.Web of Science82art. no. 22

DEM investigation of the influence of particulate properties and operating conditions on the mixing process in rotary drums: Part 2-Process validation and experimental study

The process of homogenization of particulates is an indispensable part of many industrial processes, and, therefore, it is necessary to pay a special attention to this area and develop it. This paper deals with a complex study of homogenization of particulate matters in a rotary drum in terms of shape, size, and density of particles. In addition, the influence of operating parameters, such as drum filling capacity, rotational speed, and drum filling pattern are also investigated. Studies of reproducibility of discrete element method simulations, effects of rotary drum sizes or effects of drum volumetric filling to the mixture homogeneity index were also carried out. In general, the least satisfactory values of the homogeneity index resulted from the mixing of particles with different densities. The dominating factor of homogenization was the drum filling-up degree. The course of the homogeneity index in 140, 280, and 420 mm drums was very similar and after five revolutions of the drum, identical values of the homogeneity index were achieved for all the drum diameters. The optimal drum filling-up degree is at 40-50% for the spherical particles and 30-40% for the sharp-edged particles. The repeatability of simulations showed the maximum relative standard deviation of the homogeneity index at 0.6% from ten simulation repetitions with the same parametric conditions.Web of Science82art. no. 18

Discrete element method model optimization of cylindrical pellet size

The DEM (Discrete Element Method) is one option for studying the kinematic behaviour of cylindrical pellets. The DEM experiments attempted to optimize the numerical model parameters that affected time and velocity as a cylindrical vessel emptied. This vessel was filled with cylindrical pellets. Optimization was accomplished by changing the coefficient of friction between particles and selecting the length accuracy grade of the sample cylindrical pellets. The initial state was a series of ten vessel-discharge experiments evaluated using PIV (Particle Image Velocimetry). The cylindrical pellet test samples were described according to their length in three accuracy grades. These cylindrical pellet length accuracy grades were subsequently used in the DEM simulations. The article discusses a comparison of the influence of the length accuracy grade of cylindrical pellets on optimal calibration of time and velocity when the cylindrical vessel is emptied. The accuracy grade of cylindrical pellet length in the DEM sample plays a significant role in relation to the complexity of a created simulation.Web of Science72art. no. 10

Experimental grounding of the efficiency of the use of elastic operating elements in the devices for pre-sowing seed treatments

The article is devoted to the experimental studies of the effect of elastic operating elements of a mixer-dresser on seeds. Conducted experimental studies have shown the effectiveness of using the elastic operating elements for pre-sowing seed treatments. The proposed device is intended for the intensification of the process of mixing and dressing, excluding the traumatizing of seeds, and the harmful effect of protectant preparations on maintenance workers, while simplifying and reducing the cost of construction without additional power inputs. Experimental studies have confirmed the hypothesis, that the use ofshells, made of elastic materials,in the function of mixing devices, significantly reduces the time of preparation of homogeneous mixtures, due to the ability to accumulate the potential energy and to transfer it to the granular material,in the form of kinetic energy of mixed particles motion. Based on the performed researches, 3D model of the device for pre-sowing seed treatments has been developed. Hybrid elastic mixer-dressers can be used in agricultural enterprises, dealing with the issues of obtaining multicomponent granular mixtures and seed dressing.Web of Science97S74273

The pelletization and torrefaction of coffee grounds, garden chaff and rapeseed straw

Waste biomass pelletization is a suitable process for obtaining energy dense solid fuel. If the pellets are further processed by torrefaction, both their qualitative and energy parameters are changed. Therefore, the objective of this study is to investigate the effect of the torrefaction process on pellets made from coffee grounds, garden chaff and rapeseed straw. Mechanical parameters, such as the pellet durability index, the wettability index of the pellets, their water moisture resistance, hardness, or specific and bulk density were determined for evaluation. Furthermore, pellet energy parameters such as the heat of combustion, calorific value, or elemental analysis were compared. Pelletization of the above-mentioned waste biomass and the torrefaction of the pellets were carried out in pilot plants. The first results showed that the torrefaction process for all samples increased the values of the heat of combustion or the values of the carbon content. The energy value of the pellets increases. The higher heating value of torrefied coffee ground pellets reached 26 MJ kg−1. The ash content also increases with these values. A simple energy balance has been carried out. Therefore, the study shows an insight into the energy use of coffee grounds and chaff from the garden compared to the results of the rapeseed straw pellets for the pelletization and torrefication process.Web of Science21035434

Ocena właściwości produktów z gryki dla symulacji metodą elementów dyskretnych (DEM)

The paper deals with various types of buckwheat products (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench), which have been determined with mechanical and physical properties in order to provide useful data for engineers to design structures of used equipment, harvesting and other processing technologies. Buckwheat is currently a well-sought-after food in the field of healthy nutrition, especially because of its high fiber content, iron and potassium. Among the tested samples were, for example, buckwheat hazelnuts, chips, flakes and others. In the above mentioned, the parameters of the linear dimensions, the Carrs index, the Hausner ratio and the flow rate were measured and compared. The influence of geometric parameters of buckwheat products was determined on mechanical and physical properties. The first results showed that the set parameters were statistically different for each type of buckwheat. On the basis of measured data, a simulation of the flow of a specific buckwheat sample was performed. The discrete element (DEM) method used for this purpose appears to be an appropriate tool for transporting these agricultural products.Artykuł dotyczy różnych rodzajów produktów z gryki (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench), które zostały określone za pomocą właściwości mechanicznych i fizycznych w celu dostarczenia inżynierom przydatnych danych do projektowania struktur używanych urządzeń, zbiorów i innych technologii przetwarzania. Gryka jest obecnie popularnym pożywieniem w dziedzinie zdrowego żywienia, szczególnie ze względu na wysoką zawartość błonnika, żelaza i potasu. Wśród badanych próbek były orzechy laskowe, gryka, chipsy, płatki i inne. Zmierzono i porównano parametry wymiarów liniowych, wskaźnik Carrsa, współczynnik Hausnera i natężenie przepływu. Określono wpływ parametrów geometrycznych produktów z gryki na właściwości mechaniczne i fizyczne. Wyniki wykazały, że zmierzone i założone parametry były statystycznie różne dla każdego rodzaju gryki. Na podstawie zmierzonych danych przeprowadzono symulację przepływu określonej próbki gryki. Zastosowana w tym celu metoda elementów dyskretnych (DEM) wydaje się odpowiednim narzędziem do opisu transportu tych produktów rolnych.Web of Science215815

Wood pellets transport with vibrating conveyor: Experimental for DEM simulations analysis

This work presents a comprehensive overview of the mechanical-physical parameters of the transport material affecting the vibratory transport. For this purpose, spruce pellets of different lengths, oak rods and spruce crush were tested. The determined parameters were particle size distribution and shape, internal friction, static and dynamic angle of repose. The samples were transported by a patented validation vibrating conveyor. Various settings were used. The results show that by changing the shape, it is possible to reduce friction or resistance as well as energy intensity during transport. It was observed that perfect shapes and lighter particles have lower friction, but a more pronounced bounce. Therefore, it does not form a typical pattern during transport, as in the case of an imperfectly shaped one. There is also included a simulation of the discrete element method. The study shows the possibility of the vibration machine where the material can be conveyed either directionally or sorted.Web of Science111art. no. 1660