Direkter und indirekter Energieeinsatz bei biologischen Betrieben unterschiedlicher Produktionsrichtungen

Die Produktionsrichtungen im Biologischen Landbau erfordern unterschiedlich hohe direkte und indirekte Energieaufwendungen. Indirekte Energieaufwendungen sind durch den Verzicht von synthetischen Dünger- und Pflanzenschutzmitteln geringer. Direkte Energieaufwendungen (Elektrizität und Kraftstoff) können systembedingt hoch sein, wodurch dort Ansätze der Einsparung oder/und Ersatz durch erneuerbare Energieträger (Pflanzenkraftstoffe, Strom aus Bioenergieanlagen) zu forcieren sind

The Influence of Using the Traction Booster of the Semi-Mounted Plough on the Performance Parameters of the Ploughing Set

The objective of this article is to verify the influence of the use of the traction cylinder of the semi-mounted plough on the performance parameters of the ploughing set., Claas Axion 850 set, equipped with Hexashift mechanical stepped gearbox, fully geared under the load of Pöttinger semi-mounted plough was used for the purposes of the measurement. Assessed parameters included force in the upper rod, slip, effective performance of the set and fuel consumption. The results of the measurement clearly indicate the positive influence of the traction booster on the performance and energetic parameters of the ploughing set. By increasing the force in the upper rod, the torque is transferred to the land-wheel which partially relieves the furrow wheel and transfers the weight pertaining to this wheel to the land-wheel. This has decreased the slip (between 0-15 MPa: 7.5 % for plant-bed wheel and 2 % for furrow wheel) and increased the performance of the set (hectare efficiency was increased by 3.7 %) while reducing consumption and eliminating the undesirable compaction. The difference of effective consumption was between the pressure 0 and 15 MPa 0,6 l/ha which corresponds to a decrease of 2.6 % and 2.89 ml/m3, equal to a decrease of 3.9 %. Except for some exceptions, the changes of the monitored parameters were not statistically significant. This was caused especially due to the conditions of the measurement and also due to the chosen aggregation. The measured values fluctuated due to soil non-homogeneity, which was subsequently reffected in the size of the confidence intervals and due to the fact that the tractor was under-dimensioned for the given conditions and the plough construction, the influence of the traction booster has not been proven to such an extent.O

Kraftstoffverbrauch und Reduktionspotenziale

Although Organic Farming has lower CO2-Emission than Conventional Farming, there is a further need to reduce the direct energy input especially in form of fossil fuel consumption. Burning of one liter fossil diesel in an engine emits 2.62 kg fossil CO2. Some selected measurements for increasing the fuel efficiency are presented and discussed. Soil tillage with mould plough is an energy intensive process. Alternative soil tillage systems without plough should be adapted for specific requirements in Organic Farming. The usage of bio fuel (pure plant oil in adapted engines) in Organic Farming should be more promote

Energy Use and Energy Efficiency in Selected Arable Farms in Central and South Eastern Europe

The main objective of the project “Mechanization and Energy use in selected arable farms in Central and South Eastern Europe (CASEE)” was to analyse energy characteristics of arable farming in Slovak Republic, Romania, Serbia and Austria, to compare results and identify possibilities of its improvements. The large scale farms are: the university farm of the Slovak University of Agriculture (SK) with 1.112 ha arable land, a cooperative farm in Risnovice (SK) with an arable land of 1.266 ha, a family farm in Apahida-Transylvania (RO) with 400 ha, a farm in Viisoara-Transylvania (RO) with 600 ha, a family farm in Sremska Mitrovica (SRB) with an arable land of 115 ha, a family farm near Novi Sad (SRB) with an arable land of 450 ha and a family farm in Ansfelden/Linz (A) with 368 ha. The farms were visited by the interviewer once or more times and the relevant data, used machinery, quantity of inputs, e.g. fuel, pesticides, fertilizer, seed and yields of harvested crops, were recorded, for the production season 2012. After collection of the basic data all energy inputs and outputs, energy content of crops, were calculated in accordance with data and procedure defined by CIGR (International Commission of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering), Handbook Volume V – Energy and Biomass Engineering (1999). Energy input and net energy gain, expressed in MJ/ha, were used to calculate energy characteristics of crops’ production: energy productivity - kg/MJ, energy efficiency index, energy ratio, energy intensity - MJ/kg, fuel intensity - L/kg. The intensity of all used farm inputs (fuel, seeds, fertilizer and pesticide) in crop production systems influences the energy efficiency. The fuel consumption for winter wheat production of the analysed farms ranges between 54 and 91 l/ha. The mean energy ratio (energy-output/energy-input) for winter wheat is 5.6 with ranges between 4.8 and 7.1. Besides the fuel consumption the energy-input via the nitrogen-fertilizer is the main energy consumer in cropping systems. It is clearly identified that the highest possible energy savings are possible by reduction of fertilizers, first of all nitrogen

Energy Use and Energy Efficiency in Selected Arable Farms in Central and South Eastern Europe

The main objective of the project “Mechanization and Energy use in selected arable farms in Central and South Eastern Europe (CASEE)” was to analyse energy characteristics of arable farming in Slovak Republic, Romania, Serbia and Austria, to compare results and identify possibilities of its improvements. The large scale farms are: the university farm of the Slovak University of Agriculture (SK) with 1.112 ha arable land, a cooperative farm in Risnovice (SK) with an arable land of 1.266 ha, a family farm in Apahida-Transylvania (RO) with 400 ha, a farm in Viisoara-Transylvania (RO) with 600 ha, a family farm in Sremska Mitrovica (SRB) with an arable land of 115 ha, a family farm near Novi Sad (SRB) with an arable land of 450 ha and a family farm in Ansfelden/Linz (A) with 368 ha. The farms were visited by the interviewer once or more times and the relevant data, used machinery, quantity of inputs, e.g. fuel, pesticides, fertilizer, seed and yields of harvested crops, were recorded, for the production season 2012. After collection of the basic data all energy inputs and outputs, energy content of crops, were calculated in accordance with data and procedure defined by CIGR (International Commission of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering), Handbook Volume V – Energy and Biomass Engineering (1999). Energy input and net energy gain, expressed in MJ/ha, were used to calculate energy characteristics of crops’ production: energy productivity - kg/MJ, energy efficiency index, energy ratio, energy intensity - MJ/kg, fuel intensity - L/kg. The intensity of all used farm inputs (fuel, seeds, fertilizer and pesticide) in crop production systems influences the energy efficiency. The fuel consumption for winter wheat production of the analysed farms ranges between 54 and 91 l/ha. The mean energy ratio (energy-output/energy-input) for winter wheat is 5.6 with ranges between 4.8 and 7.1. Besides the fuel consumption the energy-input via the nitrogen-fertilizer is the main energy consumer in cropping systems. It is clearly identified that the highest possible energy savings are possible by reduction of fertilizers, first of all nitrogen

A new instrument for time-resolved static and dynamic light-scattering experiments in turbid media

We present a new 3D cross-correlation instrument that not only allows for static and dynamic scattering experiments with turbid samples but measures at four angles simultaneously. It thus extends the application of cross-correlation light scattering to time-resolved studies where we can, for example, efficiently investigate the temporal evolution of aggregating or phase separating turbid dispersions. The combination of multiangle 3D and on-line transmission measurements is an essential prerequisite for such studies. This not only provides time-resolved information about the overall size and shape of the particles through measurements of the mean apparent radius of gyration and hydrodynamic radius, but also on the weight-average apparent molar mass via the absolute forward scattering intensity. We present an efficient alignment strategy based on the novel design of the instrument and then the application range of the instrument using well-defined model latex suspensions. The effectiveness of the cross-correlation multiangle technique to monitor aggregation processes in turbid suspensions is finally shown for the acidification of skim milk during the yoghurt-making process. Due to the self-assembled nature of the casein micelles an understanding of the sol–gel process induced by the acidification is only feasible if time-resolved light-scattering experiments on an absolute scale are possible under industrially relevant conditions, where the casein solutions are highly turbid

Energy management (Renewable Energies)

Die agrarische Produktion beruht auf den Einsatz des begrenzten Faktors technischer Energie, woraus sich die geforderte Energie - und Kraftstoffeffizienz ableitet. Der technische Fortschritt und dem wachsenden Bewusstsein Energie zu sparen sind Triebfedern die Energieeffizienz in der agrarischen Produktion zu verbessern. Der Einsatz von alternativen Energieträgern wie Pflanzenkraftstoffe und Biogas aus der kaskadischen Nutzung stellt einen bedeutenden Beitrag um die Abhängigkeit von fossiler Energie im Landwirtschaftssektor zu mindern.Agricultural production is based on the use of the limited factor technical energy, which leads to the necessity of energy- and fuel efficiency. The technical progress and the increased awareness of saving energy are important promoters to improve the energy efficiency in agricultural production. The application of alternative energy carriers like plant-based fuels (biofuel) and biogas from multipurpose utilisation is a significant contribution to mitigate the dependence from fossil energy in agriculture sector

Effects of working depth and wheel slip on fuel consumption of selected tillage implements

Rising fossil fuel prices are leading to an increasing awareness of energy efficiency in plant production.  Tillage in particular can consume large amounts of fuel.  For four tillage implements (reversible mouldboard plough, short disc harrow, universal-cultivator, subsoiler), this study quantifies the effect of different working depths on fuel consumption, wheel slip, field capacity and specific energy consumption.  A four-wheel drive tractor (92 kW) was equipped with a data-acquisition system for engine speed, vehicle speed, wheel speed and fuel consumption.  Fuel consumption was measured in the fuel system with an integrated high-precision flow-meter.  The results show that the area-specific fuel consumption increased linearly with working depth for both the mouldboard plough and the short disc harrow, but disproportionately for the subsoiler.  Wheel slip was found to increase fuel consumption and decrease field capacity performance at all depths.  The influence of the engine speed was shown in a separate experiment with a universal-cultivator.  Increasing the engine speed from 1,513 r min-1 to 2,042 r min-1 results in an increase of 80% for the fuel consumption rate (L/h) and 35% for the area-specific fuel consumption (L/ha).  Future measurement of drawbar pull will allow a more detailed analysis of the energy efficiency losses at the engine, the transmission, and at the wheel/soil interface.   Keywords: fuel consumption, wheel slip, mouldboard plough, subsoiler, universal-cultivator, short disc harro