Effect of Sieve Unit Inclination Angle in a Rotary Cleaning Device for Barley Grain

Abstract

Highlights Cleaning cereal grain after harvest is very important for the quality of the product. Technological progress enables the design of new equipment for cleaning cereal grain. Grain segregation allows selecting the best grain to increase yields. The quality of segregation depends on the technological parameters of the device. Abstract. This article presents the results of laboratory tests of a new rotary cleaning device used for the separation and cleaning of barley grain. This device has the characteristics of a multi-stage screen assisted by an air stream (i.e., pneumo-separation). The prototype was constructed at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland. The tests were conducted on a test stand, which allowed changes in the operating parameters of the cleaning device and their measurement. The tests included determining the influence of the sieve drum inclination angle (a) on the effectiveness and efficiency of barley grain cleaning. The tests were carried out using two drum rotational speeds: 5 rpm and 75 rpm. The quality of the separation and cleaning of barley grain was evaluated using six cleaning process parameters: plump grain separation coefficient (Spg), fine grain separation coefficient (Sfg), fine impurities separation coefficient (Sfi), chaff separation coefficient (Sch), total coefficient of cleaning effectiveness (E), and plump grain cleaning efficiency (qpg). The results showed significant effects of the sieve drum inclination angle on the efficiency and effectiveness of barley grain cleaning. Keywords: Barley grain, Conical sieve, Grain separation, Rotary cleaning device.