Abstract
Vanes throwing the particles of fertilizer or granular material onto a field are one of the most important machine parts influencing the fertilizer distribution pattern in spinning disc broadcasters. Manufacturers prefer mostly straight-shaped vanes in spinning disc broadcasters, probably because their production is easy. In previous studies, therefore, many researchers studied the spinning disc broadcaster with the straight-shaped vanes only. In this study, the effect of the combinations of the straight-shaped vane with different shaped vanes on the fertilizer distribution uniformity in single-spinning disc broadcaster was investigated with various flow rates using triple superphosphate. The combinations used in the study were the straight-shaped vane in combination with forward-curved-5, forward-curved-10, back-curved-5, and back-curved-10 vane, and ‘no combination’ consisted of the straight-shaped vane only. The circular orifices of 30, 40, and 50 mm diameters were used at the bottom of hopper to obtain the different flow rates of the fertilizer. The results of the study showed that the combination of the different shaped vanes on the spinning disc had a significant effect on fertilizer distribution uniformity. ‘No combination’ used commonly in practice did not give the best fertilizer distribution uniformity. The best fertilizer distribution uniformity was obtained from the combination of the straight-shaped vane with forward-curved-5 vane shape for all the flow rates. The CV values obtained from this combination were 10.31%, 15.49%, and 19.92% for the orifices with diameters of 30, 40, and 50 mm, respectively.
Highlights
Spinning disc broadcasters have widely been used in Turkey due to their simple construction, economical price and effectiveness
45 optimized distribution patterns were obtained from five vane combinations at three flow rates for triple superphosphate
Typical acceptable levels for these parameters are coefficients of variation (CV)≤20%, minimum ≥80% of the mean rate, and maximum ≤120% of the mean rate (Parish 2001). In addition to these values, the working width and the range of working width for the distribution patterns with ≤20CV% are shown in the same table
Summary
Spinning disc broadcasters have widely been used in Turkey due to their simple construction, economical price and effectiveness. The previous studies showed that the uniformity of fertilizer distribution decreased as the flow rate increased (Çarman 1992; Parish 2002; Yildirim & Kara 2003; Yildirim 2006a & b; Yildirim & Ozturk 2007). Çarman (1991), Olierslagers et al (1996), and Yildirim (2006a & b) reported that the fertilizer distribution pattern was better when the revolution speeds of spinning disc for higher flow rates of the fertilizer was increased with straight vanes with no combinations. Yildirim & Kara (2003) determined that the fertilizer distribution evenness became better when the vane height was increased for high flow rates The previous studies showed that the uniformity of fertilizer distribution decreased as the flow rate increased (Çarman 1992; Parish 2002; Yildirim & Kara 2003; Yildirim 2006a & b; Yildirim & Ozturk 2007). Çarman (1991), Olierslagers et al (1996), and Yildirim (2006a & b) reported that the fertilizer distribution pattern was better when the revolution speeds of spinning disc for higher flow rates of the fertilizer was increased with straight vanes with no combinations. Yildirim & Kara (2003) determined that the fertilizer distribution evenness became better when the vane height was increased for high flow rates
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