Experimental Study Into Energy Consumption of the Manure Removal Processes Using Scraper Units

We have experimentally investigated the patterns in the influence of opening angle of the scraper unit, inclination angle of scrapers, and motion speed of the scraper unit, on specific energy consumption by the improved scraper unit.We have experimentally substantiated the hourly schedule of manure accumulation and a schedule for turning the scraper unit on; it is proposed to remove manure 5 times during 24 hours: at 7, 9, 14, 18, 22, which would significantly reduce resource consumption and energy costs associated with the launch of a conveyor.Experimental study enabled determining the structural (opening angle of the scraper unit and inclination angle of the working surfaces of scratchers) and technological (motion speed of the scraper unit) parameters, at which the improved scraper unit would demonstrate minimum specific energy consumption.The optimal parameters for a scraper unit, at which the improved scraper unit would have minimum specific energy consumption, are the scraper unit opening angle in the range of 105 to 115°; inclination angle of the working surface of scrapers is 60°, motion speed of the scraper unit is 0.13 m/s. Based on these indicators, we assembled the developed scraper unit for manure removal.We have conducted comparative experimental study into operation of the developed scraper unit for manure removal and the prototype, commercially available scraper unit USG-3. This study demonstrated the advantage of the developed scraper unit compared to USG-3; specific energy consumption reduces by the amount of 44 to 48 % to 0.34‒0.36 kW h/t.The established rational parameters and operating modes of the scraper unit reduce energy consumption of the scraper unit required, while maintaining the required quality for cleaning a manure channel, which confirms the feasibility of its industrial production.The research results reported here could be applied when designing the bulldozers and other melioration equipment