The paper presents the results of several experimental researches regarding to a separation mixture of dried and chopped nettle fragments on a dimensional separator of medicinal plants, equipped with oscillating flat sieves. Three parameters were varied (material flow rate, sieves angle of inclination and oscillations sieves frequency). For separation process description along chopped vegetal material sieves, the experimental results have been tested by Rosin-Rammler distribution law

MATACHE, M.

MUSCALU, A.

NITU, M.

PRUTEANU, A.

SORICA, C.

Annals of the University of Craiova - Agriculture, Montanology, Cadastre Series

Analele Universităţii din Craiova, seria Agricultură – Montanologie – Cadastru (Annals of the University of Craiova - Agriculture,Montanology, Cadastre Series)Vol. XLVI 2016516SEPARATION OF CHOPPED NETTLE MATERIAL ON PLANE SIEVELENGTHPRUTEANU A.1), MATACHE M.1), SORICĂ C.1), MUSCALU A.1), NIŢU M.1)1)INMA BucharestE-mail: pruteanu_augustina@yahoo.comKeywords:nettle,chopped vegetal material, separation, plane site planeABSTRACTThe paper presents the results of several experimental researches regarding to aseparation mixture of dried and chopped nettle fragments on a dimensional separator ofmedicinal plants, equipped with oscillating flat sieves. Three parameters were varied(material flow rate, sieves angle of inclination and oscillations sieves frequency). Forseparation process description along chopped vegetal material sieves, the experimentalresults have been tested by Rosin-Rammler distribution law.INTRODUCTIONMedicinal plants contain active biologic substances with therapeutic value.Cultivation and capitalization of these plants by different processing operations areimportant for ensuring an increased amount of raw material and for valuable constituentspreserving or growing these plants.It is possible to achieve quality phytoterapeutic products and accessible, only byusing advanced technical equipment, adapted to every plant [5].Medicinal plant primary  and advanced processing suppose volatile oils obtaining,macerated tea, vegetable extracts, tinctures, syrups, tablets, food colourings, cosmetics,natural fertilizers, bio-insecticides etc [6].In terms of structure, processing technological process includes all operations andinterrelated phases, necessary for prepare and carrying on the acquired harvestedvegetable material in an appropriate state storage, packaging or processing within aproduction unit [5, 8].Technological operations of obtaining concentrated alcoholic and hydro-alcoholicand extracts are as follows: Harvesting, – Conditioning – Chopping/– Separation –Extraction.Chopping and vegetable product separation (leaves, flowers, roots andrhizomes) are important in performing extractive solutions.By increasing contact surface between vegetable product and solvent it’s reducingextraction time and in the same time increase extraction yield.Grinding degree and vegetable products separation is established in function ofmorphology and plant humidity, by utilized extraction process, by used extraction solvent.In generally, for extraction by maceration, infusion or decoction, a chopping,respectively a separation into larger fragments are done and for extraction by percolationthe plant is chopped, respectively separate under the form of fine dust.To perform the sorting operation of medicinal plants is used complex equipment,specific to this area, which comprises oscillating flat sieves [3, 8].The sieves oscillating movement is characterise by its main parameters(oscillationfrequency and oscillation amplitude), of parameters linked by process and bymaterial characteristics to be processed [4, 5, 9].From nettle (Urtica dioica, Fam. Urticaceae) to used vegetable product isrepresented by the aerial part and root, rich in active principles, such as: flavonoids,mucilages, volatile oils, organic acids (acetic, panthotenic, folic), vitamin (C, K, B2), beta-Analele Universităţii din Craiova, seria Agricultură – Montanologie – Cadastru (Annals of the University of Craiova - Agriculture,Montanology, Cadastre Series)Vol. XLVI 2016517carotene, mineral salts, chlorophylls, a vesical substance for skin, composed of formicacid, enzymes, fatty acids, phytosterols, coumarin, amino acids, a Urtica-dioica-agglutinincomplex, lignans and prosaccharides.Due to the richness in chlorophyll, the nettle is a very valuable raw material incosmetics and dermatology. It is uses the whole plant, which is antiseptic, antimicrobial,decongestive, disinfectant, epithelising, revulsive [1].This paper presents vegetal process separation of nettle on oscillating flat sievelengths, varying different parameters.MATERIAL AND METHODAt experimental determinations were used nettle plants, identifiedandharvestedwithin spontaneous flora, in respect to their morphological characteristics andaccording to specialty guides [1].White nettle (Urtica dioica)is a species of herbaceous, perennial, high from 20 to50 (70) cm, with aerial stems, erect or ascending, Lamium genus, Lamiaceae family,widespread from hilly zone to alpine one.Harvesting takes place within blossom, from April until September [1].White nettle was natural dried, in the shade, until storage humidity (maximum 13%), cleaned of foreign bodies (inorganic materials or other plants, injured parties)according to stipulations  within [10,11], then was chopped in bulk  at medicinal plantschopper  machine, TIMATIC type, set at 6 mm size.The experimental researches were conducted on a dimensional sortator of cutplants (Figure 1), existing in working within INMA Bucharest, equipped with 9 sieve frameswith bore sizes ranging from 1.15 to 13.2 mm, used in sets of three as needed.The bedframe construction allows access to sieves for cleaning in case of warping.The sieves bedframe rests on a support made of welded rolled profiles by means of rubbershock absorbers.Vibrating motors are mounted on symmetrically welded plates outside ofwhich construction enables their rotation and changing inclined position to the horizontal inorder to adjust the amplitude and frequency of oscillation.Sieve tilting the can vary between 12-150depending on the type of the culture, butalso by other unwanted plants parties.The supply of the sorter material was carried out by means of an inclined conveyorbelt, which carry on plant material in the centre of the sorter feed hopper and from there onits upper sieve where the separation process takes place.The experiments were performed on a sieve with squares measuring 6.3 mm, sievehaving a length of 1.395 m and a width of 0.6 m. Under chosen sieve, a sheet collectionbox was fitted (Fig. 2) delineated into seven equal compartments, each compartmenthaving 0,195 m.Fig. 1 - Sorter of cut plants Fig. 2 - Collection boxAnalele Universităţii din Craiova, seria Agricultură – Montanologie – Cadastru (Annals of the University of Craiova - Agriculture,Montanology, Cadastre Series)Vol. XLVI 2016518During experiments were used three sieve inclination angles of inclination (12,080,13,330, 14,70), for each angle ware varied two feed debits (60 kg/h, 45 kg/h) and twovibration frequency (50 Hz, 40 Hz).Interpretation of results was done by separating cumulative correlation experimentaldata on sieve along with theoretical data obtained using the Rosin-Rammler equation [2.7],represented by the relation (1):nDDneR  (1)where:R is the cumulative retained at a size D (%);D is the particle size (mm);Dn and n are fitting parameters.RESULTSPrimary experimental data on separate plant fragments along sieve separate fordifferent feed rates, oscillation frequencies and angles of inclination of the grid werereported in Table 1.Table 1Experimental data on separation intensity along sieveFrequency[Hz]Flow rateadjusted,[kg/h]Sieve length from which chicory fragments are collected, m0.195 0.395 0.595 0.795 0.995 1.195 1.395Separated fragments percentage (intensity separation), [%]1 2 3 4 5 6 7Slope angle, 12,08050 60 21.87 22.81 31.54 14.38 3.74 3.12 2.5445 39.07 27.04 16.16 9.66 3.55 2.55 1.9640 60 43.28 40.57 9.13 3.01 1.22 1.45 1.3545 46.70 32.39 9.73 4.68 2.77 1.97 1.77Slope angle, 13,33050 60 18.47 17.79 22.46 32.18 3.90 2.46 2.7345 21.73 19.77 23.01 24.58 4.87 3.35 2.6840 60 32.19 31.39 19.71 9.89 3.00 2.10 1.7145 36.77 33.88 13.81 8.88 2.75 2.27 1.64Slope angle, 14,7050 60 17.71 18.87 27.89 25.05 4.87 3.32 2.2845 19.82 20.37 27.40 22.29 4.51 3.19 2.4240 60 23.77 33.42 22.65 11.04 4.00 3.34 1.7745 27.78 30.37 21.97 13.38 3.01 2.25 1.24Results obtained after nettle fragments separation were graphic represented infigure 3, by representing variation curves of separation intensity.Analele Universităţii din Craiova, seria Agricultură – Montanologie – Cadastru (Annals of the University of Craiova - Agriculture,Montanology, Cadastre Series)Vol. XLVI 2016519Slope angle, 12,08 0Slope angle, 13,33 0Slope angle, 14,7 0Fig. 3 -Intensity variation of nettle fragments separation, on sieve lengthNettle fragments separation efficiency along sieve is shown by the degree ofseparation and separation cumulative. The separation intensity on sieve length of isdefined by the percent (%) of fragments separated in each box compartment from the totalamount of fragments that are in the collection box.Cumulative separation is defined as percentage of separated fragments (%)gathered in compartments (united) from total amount of fragments in the collection box.Referring to figure 3 is observed that separation intensity decreases on the sievelength and came to be insignificant at the end of the grid. The intensity of separation ismaximum for low frequencies in feeding zone and for high frequency at half sieve,regardless of its angle of inclination.Results obtained after cumulative separation process of nettle fragments, weremathematic al modelling using Rosin Rammler function. Both experimental results andtheoretical ones were graphically represented in figure 4.051015202530354045500.195 0.395 0.595 0.795 0.995 1.195 1.395Sieve length, mSeparation intensity, %f=50 hz, Q= 60 kg/hf=50 Hz, Q=45kg/hf=40 Hz, Q= 60kg/hf=40Hz, Q=45 kg/h05101520253035400.195 0.395 0.595 0.795 0.995 1.195 1.395Sieve length, mSeparation intensity, %f=50 hz, Q= 60 kg/hf=50 Hz, Q=45kg/hf=40 Hz, Q= 60kg/hf=40Hz, Q=45 kg/h05101520253035400.195 0.395 0.595 0.795 0.995 1.195 1.395Sieve length, mSeparation intensity, %f=50 hz, Q= 60 kg/hf=50 Hz, Q=45kg/hf=40 Hz, Q= 60kg/hf=40Hz, Q=45 kg/hAnalele Universităţii din Craiova, seria Agricultură – Montanologie – Cadastru (Annals of the University of Craiova - Agriculture,Montanology, Cadastre Series)Vol. XLVI 2016520Slope angle, 12,08 0Slope angle, 13,33 0Slope angle, 14,7 0Fig. 4 - Cumulative variation of nettle fragments separation, on length of flat sieves, for three slope angle, forexperimental values (represented by cu lines) and for  Rosin-Rammler mathematical model values(represented without lines)Coefficients values Dnand n for experimental data correlated with Rosin-Rammlerequation (ec. 1), and R2 correlation coefficient are presented in table 2.Table 2Coefficient values for experimental data correlated with Rosin-Rammler law type (ec. 1), Dnand n, and the R2 coefficient of correlation for nettleExperimentalparametersCoefficientsDn n R2 Dn n R2 Dn n R2Slope angle 12,080 Slope angle 13,330 Slope angle 14,70Frequency 50 HzQ alim =60 kg/h 1.452 2.347 0.912 1.270 2.523 0.991 1.271 2.617 0.994Q alim =45 kg/h 1.446 2.546 0.925 1.294 2.479 0.991 1.294 2.566 0.992Frequency 40 HzQ alim =60 kg/h 1.541 2.772 0.878 1.428 2.683 0.942 1.367 2.698 0.966Q alim =45 kg/h 1.521 2.575 0.883 1.456 2.667 0.921 1.388 2.882 0.952CONCLUSIONSAnalyzing both experimental data and theoretical it is appreciated that to all threesieve slope angles are necessary large frequency values of 50 Hz to avoid materialstratification  and to perform a complete separation.01020304050607080901000.195 0.395 0.595 0.795 0.995 1.195 1.395Sieve length, mCumulative separation, %f=50 Hz, Q=60kg/hf= 50Hz, Q=45 kg/hf=40Hz, Q=60kg/hf= 40Hz, Q=45kg/h01020304050607080901000.195 0.395 0.595 0.795 0.995 1.195 1.395Sieve length, mCumulative separation, %f=50 Hz, Q=60kg/hf= 50Hz, Q=45 kg/hf=40 Hz, Q=60kg/hf= 40Hz, Q=45kg/h01020304050607080901000.195 0.395 0.595 0.795 0.995 1.195 1.395Sieve length, mCumulative separation, %f=50 Hz, Q=60kg/hf= 50Hz, Q=45 kg/hf=40Hz, Q=60kg/hf= 40Hz, Q=45kg/hAnalele Universităţii din Craiova, seria Agricultură – Montanologie – Cadastru (Annals of the University of Craiova - Agriculture,Montanology, Cadastre Series)Vol. XLVI 2016521In case of higher flow rates to achieve high efficiency, high frequencies arerequired. As, for separation to be made in good conditions at small angles of inclination ofthe sieve feed rate and it has to be small, because refused fragments, tend to block thescreen openings.However, at high frequencies, large fragments quickly get in contact with the screeneven if stratification is increasing and is more able to separate through the mesh holes iftime crossing through holes is enough.In the paper was presented the mode in which it is used distribution length low(Rosin-Rammler equation) of vegetable fragments in nettle fragments repartition onoscillating in function of plane sieve length in function of sieves hole dimensions. It is notedthat the chosen equation it is correlated well enough with experimental data values, beingobtained high correlation coefficients R2 ≥ 0,878.On worldwide and our country are concerns regarding to cultivation and processingmedicinal and aromatic plants.Therefore, by development of research work process of processed herbs equipmentto improve their constructive and functional performance, supports growers andprocessors in the field, to get food, pharmaceutical, plant protection, quality cosmetics.ACKNOLEDGEMENTThis paper was financed by support of National Agency for Scientific Research andInnovation, NUCLEU Programme, no. 8N/09.03.2016, Ad. Act nr.1/2016, Project PN 16 2403 03 - Innovative technology and equipment for increasing the quality of plant rawmaterial obtained from medicinal and aromatic plants, in the view of elaboratingcompetitive organic products.REFERENCES1. Ardelean A., Mohan Gh., 2008 – Medicinal flora of Romania/Flora Medicinalǎ aRomâniei, All Publishing House/Editura All, Bucureşti, pg. 285-286.2. Brezáni I., Zelenák F., 2010 - Improving the efeciantcy of work with Rosin-Rammlerdiagram by using MATLAB GUI tool, Acta Montanistica Slovaca Rocník 15 , pp.152-1573. Căsăndroiu T., Popescu M., Voicu Gh., 2009 - A developing a mathematical model forsimulating the seeds separation process on the plane sieves, Scientific Bulletin U.P.B.,Series D, Vol. 71, Issue 3.4. Ene Gh., Sima T., 2013 - Issues concerning sifting materials on vibrating sieves I andII/Aspecte privind cernerea materialelor pe ciururile vibratoare I si II; Synthesis Journal ofTheoretical and Applied Mechanics/Revista Sinteze de Mecanica Teoretica si Aplicata,vol.4, nr.1 si nr.2.5. Oztekin S., Martinov M., 2007 - Medicinal and aromatic crops: harvesting, drying andprocessing, Editura Haworth Press, United States and Canada.6. Păun G., Gheorghe O., Diaconu M., 2012 - Guide of medicinal plantsprocessing/Ghidde procesare a plantelor medicinale, MedPlaNet Project/Proiect MedPlaNet, pag. 5,11.7. Rosin, P., Rammler, E., 1933 - The laws governing the fineness of powdered coal, J.Inst. Fuel 7 (31), 29–36.8. TenuI., 1999 - Technologies, machinery and equipment for products industrialization,part two: Cleaning, washing and conditioning, Junimea Publishing House, ISBN 973-37-0506-3, pp.5, 14, 389. Wang G., Tong X., 2011 - Screening efficiency and screen length of a linear vibratingscreen using DEM 3D simulation, Mining Science and Technology, vol. 21, pp. 451-455.10. *** – European Pharmacopoeia, 2005, The Fifth Edition.11. *** – Romanian Pharmacopoeia, 1993, The Xth Medical Edition, Bucharest.

SEPARATION OF CHOPPED NETTLE MATERIAL ON PLANE SIEVE LENGTH

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SEPARATION OF CHOPPED NETTLE MATERIAL ON PLANE SIEVE LENGTH

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Annals of the University of Craiova - Agriculture, Montanology, Cadastre Series