Simulation analysis of fertilizer discharge process using the Discrete Element Method (DEM).

Kemoh Bangura,Hao Gong,Kaifeng Liao,Long Qi,Ruoling Deng,Ming Tao,Yinghu Cai,Chuang Liu,Jinwei Liu,Fang-Bao Tian

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0235872

Kemoh Bangura, Hao Gong + Show 8 more

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https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0235872

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Abstract

Fertilizer discharge process is a critical part of fertilizer application, as it affects the fertilizer discharge rate and uniformity of fertilizer application. In this study, a spiral grooved-wheel fertilizer discharge device was designed to replace the conventional straight grooved-wheel. Comparisons of the fertilizer discharge performance of the two grooved-wheel types were performed through tests and simulations using the discrete element method (DEM). The discharge performance of the two discharge devices was assessed by measuring the discharge mass rate, discharge uniformity, and the falling velocity of the fertilizer particles. Results showed that under similar conditions, the fertilizer discharge mass rate of the spiral grooved-wheel was higher than that of the straight grooved-wheel. The fertilizer discharge uniformity of the spiral grooved-wheel was much better than that of the straight grooved-wheel. The average falling velocity of fertilizer particles through the discharge spout was higher under the spiral grooved-wheel. The relative errors between the test and simulation results for the discharge mass rates, discharge uniformity, and particle falling velocities of the spiral grooved-wheel were all less than 10%. The developed spiral grooved-wheel exhibited a better performance than the conventional straight grooved-wheel, in all the aspects examined. The results serve as a theoretical basis for guiding the design of high-performance fertilizer applicators.

Highlights

As human demand for food increases, the application of fertilizer has become an important means to increase grain yield in the world
The test results demonstrated that the coefficients of variation (CV) of the discharge mass rate recorded under the spiral grooved-wheel were as low as 1.9% and 2.6% for the compound and urea fertilizer, respectively
The coefficients of variation of the discharge mass rate recorded for the straight grooved-wheel was significantly higher than that of the spiral grooved-wheel, 18% for the compound fertilizer and 17.2% for the urea fertilizer

Summary

Introduction

As human demand for food increases, the application of fertilizer has become an important means to increase grain yield in the world. China has one of the highest rates of chemical fertilizer use, with fertilizer being applied to 67% of grain crops [1]. How to improve fertilizer use efficiency has become a national and global concern [2,3,4]. One of the ways to improve the efficiency of using chemical fertilizers is through the development and promotion of improved and sustainable fertilizer discharge devices to replace the conventional fertilizer application methods for better uniformity of fertilizer application.

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