Particle motion analysis and performance investigation of a fertilizer discharge device with helical staggered groove wheel

Abstract

Enhancing the uniformity of fertilizer particles flow is crucial in fertilizer discharge device research, and the analysis of particle motion process contributes to improving fertilization performance. In this study, the discrete element method was employed to conduct a phenomenological analysis and numerical investigation of the particle motion characteristics influenced by structural feature parameters of the groove wheel-type fertilizer discharge device. A performance evaluation model based on the uniformity of fertilizer discharge and supplemented by the flow characteristics and mechanical properties of particles was established. The results demonstrated that the particles flow within the fertilizer bin exhibits a recirculating surge induced by the rotation of the groove wheel. The geometric morphology of the outer edge grooves and their spatial distribution along the groove wheel circumference affect the uniformity of fertilizer filling and discharge mass flow rate. The force exerted on the fertilizer particles and their potential breakage are primarily concentrated during the fertilizer compaction stage, while the particles flow forms a convergence due to the sliding of the fertilizer along the discharge slope. After optimization, the discharge CV is reduced from 91.54 % to 31.48 %, and the uniformity is improved by 60.06 %. This study proposes a helical staggered groove wheel fertilizer discharge device structural model, providing new insights for the optimization of agricultural fertilization machinery equipment.