Aerodynamic properties of lentil seeds

Abstract

Abstract Aerodynamic properties of solid materials have long been used to convey and separate seeds and grains during post-harvest operations. The objective of this study was evaluation of the aerodynamic properties of green and red lentil seeds as a function of moisture content from 10 to 25% (w.b.). The results showed that as the moisture content increased from 10 to 25%, the terminal velocity of seeds increased, following a linear relationship, from 6.90 to 9.14 and from 6.37 to 7.67 m s−1 for green and red lentil seeds, respectively. Seeds of the green variety had terminal velocities with a mean value of 7.89 m s−1, while the red variety had a mean value of 7.02 m s−1, for moisture content from 10 to 25%. The Reynolds number increased linearly from 2 310.90 to 3 269.23 and from 1 215.02 to 1 535.09 for green and red lentil seeds, respectively, with the increase of seeds moisture content from 10 to 25%. While, drag coefficient decreased from 0.69 to 0.40 and from 0.84 to 0.69 for green and red lentil seeds, respectively, with the increase of moisture content. Mathematical relationships were developed to relate the change in seeds moisture content with the values of aerodynamic properties obtained. The analysis of variance showed that the effect of moisture content on all aerodynamic properties of lentil beans was significant at the 1% probability level.