Bucket Elevator Research Articles

Research on alarm of coal content in gangue based on binocular vision and YOLACT segmentation network

ABSTRACT The coal content in the gangue of coal preparation plants cannot be detected online, especially in the jigging sorting process. There is a large time lag in manual testing. An approach based on the YOLACT segmentation network and binocular vision was proposed. First, the YOLACT segmentation network was used to identify coal and gangue. At the same time, the coal and gangue particle regions are segmented from the background of the bucket elevator. A binocular matching method based on deep learning was proposed to obtain better disparity maps and establish better volume models of coal and gangue particles. A stereo-matching global fusion network model was also presented by improving the Pyramid Stereo Matching Network. Finally, the coal and gangue volume parameters were combined with their respective empirical densities to predict the coal content in gangue of the bucket. When the load in the bucket elevator is small, the average prediction error of coal content in gangue is 9.19%. When the load is large i.e. the coal and gangue are stacked in multiple layers, it is not appropriate to calculate the coal content in gangue due to serious particle coverage. Therefore, a fuzzy alarm strategy was proposed based on actual needs. The situation of coal content in gangue was divided into three levels: normal, warning, and alarm. It meets the alarm requirements for coal content in gangue in most industrial plants.

Load prediction of bucket elevator for jigging sorting based on binocular vision and Global Filter Networks

ABSTRACT In jigging sorting, products are elevated by bucket elevators and transported via a shared belt. The product weight of each jig cannot be detected. The output of each product is the key parameter to calculate the jigging separation efficiency and measure the separation effect. At the same time, the bucket elevator overload will cause accidents, resulting in deformation and rupture of the bucket. To solve this problem, an intelligent monitoring scheme of bucket elevators based on binocular vision and deep learning was proposed. The YOLACT algorithm was utilized for coal and gangue image segmentation. Aiming at the problem of multi-layer accumulation of materials in the bucket elevator, a Global Filter Network (GFNet) based on the Pyramid Stereo Matching Network was used for more accurate stereo matching, and statistical filtering was used to denoise the generated 3D point cloud. The volume prediction model was established by integral. The Bootstrap method was used to obtain the best empirical density of coal and gangue. Finally, the volume parameters and density parameters were multiplied to get the mass of coal and gangue. The experimental results showed that the GFNet algorithm can obtain clear 3D point clouds. The average error of the volume calculation model based on these 3D point clouds was 4.19%. In the single-machine test of the coal preparation plant, the proposed system realized the real-time detection of the mass of materials carried by the bucket elevator. Compared with the electronic belt scale, the average error was 10.55%, which meets the industrial demand.

Studying the Reasons behind the Occurrence of Cracks in the Bucket Elevator in the Lebda Cement Factory

Bucket elevators always face problems during the accumulation of loads. When buckets are damaged, the bucket elevator breaks down. Replacing or repairing damaged buckets increases overall maintenance costs; it takes technicians at least several days, depending on how severe the damage is, which will result in decreased productivity and increased downtime. The main goal of this paper is to find out the reason for the cracks that occur at the edges of the bucket conveying cement in the Al- Lebda Cement Factory. According to the manufacturer's catalogue, the material of the bucket is made of EU EN S235JR steel. To study this problem, we conducted a series of tests on samples of the bucket's metal, including chemical composition analysis, tensile strength testing, hardness testing, and microscopic examination. We then compared the results of these tests to the standard specifications for the S235JR steel grade. The results of bucket samples showed the carbon content was C 0.1107 Wt. %, yield strength was 350 N/mm2, ultimate tensile strength was 445 N/mm2 and hardness test was 77HRB, and the metallurgical analysis indicated an irregular distribution of the grain boundaries with, the accumulation of cementite in several areas. It should be noted that the temperature of the cement was not taken into consideration in this study.

67 Decontamination of a feed manufacturing environment following inoculation of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus, porcine reproductive and respiratory virus, and Seneca Valley virus 1

Abstract Feed mill decontamination is difficult because equipment is not designed to be cleaned with water. Alternate strategies may improve the ability of a mill to decontaminate in the event of viral contamination. The objective was to evaluate different decontamination strategies within a mill following the inoculation of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), and Seneca Valley virus 1 (SVV1) contaminated feed. A batch of feed was inoculated with PEDV, PRRSV, and SVV1 and ran through a mixer, bucket elevator, corn cleaner, screw conveyor, distributor head, and spout. Following mill inoculation, decontamination strategies were implemented with environmental samples collected after each decontamination step. Decontamination strategies included: 1) complete facility decontamination including organic matter removal with hot water power washing, disinfection with 1% peroxygen (Virkon S, Lanxess, Germany) followed by a rinse, and a second disinfection with 5% sodium hypochlorite (Clorox, Oakland, CA) followed by a heating period for 48 h once the facility reached 60°C; 2) chlorine dioxide application (ProOxine AH, Bio-Cide International, Inc., Norman, OK); 3) organic matter removal using vacuums (Ridge Tool Company, Elyria, OH) and chlorine dioxide application; 4) heat up with portable electric heaters for exactly 48 h; and 5) organic matter removal and heat up with portable heaters for exactly 48 h. Samples were analyzed via triplex PCR. Cycle threshold and proportion PCR positive were analyzed using SAS GLIMMIX v 9.4 (SAS, Inc., Cary, NC). A swine bioassay was completed to determine the infectivity of samples following the final decontamination step of each treatment. A treatment × decontamination step × location interaction was observed (P < 0.05) for SVV1, where less RNA was detected post-treatment compared with pre-treatment following complete facility decontamination on surfaces including the mixer, corn cleaner, screw conveyor, and floor around the feed discharge (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference between pre- and post-treatment samples for other combinations of decontamination treatment and location (P > 0.05), although numerical increases in Ct were generally observed following treatment. Across all treatments, the act of decontamination reduced detectable PEDV (P < 0.05) and PRRSV (P < 0.05) RNA when compared with samples immediately following inoculation, but complete facility decontamination was the only treatment where PEDV and PRRSV was non-detectable in all locations. Pigs given samples post-treatment showed no evidence of SVV1 or PEDV infection. Although PRRSV RNA was rarely found via PCR from samples collected within the mill, PRRSV infection was observed in pigs given the chlorine dioxide with and without organic matter removal treatments and the organic matter removal plus heat treatment. Overall, all treatments reduced detectable RNA for all viruses between the inoculation step and the final decontamination step; however, PRRSV particles remained infectious following decontamination regardless of PCR results in a swine bioassay.

Vision-Based Reinforcement Learning Approach to Optimize Bucket Elevator Process for Solid Waste Utilization

An energy-intensive industry such as cement manufacturing requires a constant supply of high amounts of traditional fossil fuels, such as coal or gas, for the calcination process. A way to overcome this fuel need is the usage of solid waste or Alternative Fuel Resources (AFRs), such as wood or paper. An advantage of using such waste is that their combustion byproduct, “ash”, can be used as a raw material alternative in the cement manufacturing process. However, for structural reasons, only bucket elevator technology is feasible to convey the fuel vertically for feeding the calciner in most cement plants. During the fuel feeding process, the inhomogeneous characteristics of AFRs lead to discharge parabolas of these materials varying over the infeed sample. Hence, a need arises to observe these trajectories and estimate a method for their optimal discharge. Thus, the purpose of this study is to develop an intelligent high-performance bucket elevator system. As such, a vision-based reinforcement learning algorithm is proposed in this study to monitor and control the speed of the elevator depending on the material properties observed at the inlet. These inlet materials properties include the type of material used in the simulation, and the particle size distribution within the infeed sample. A relationship is established between the inlet material properties and the speed of the bucket elevator. The best possible scenario is then deduced using a reward function. Here, the reward function is formulated via the deep learning image segmentation algorithm, a novel approach. After observing the test simulation conducted with a random-parameters setup, it was noted that the optimum speed for a given infeed sample was predicted correctly. As such, it can be concluded that the goal of developing an intelligent bucket elevator system was achieved.

Optimal Layout of the Head Drive for a Self-Supporting Bucket Elevator of High Productivity

The article deals with bucket elevators of high productivity. The demand for grain crops is growing worldwide, requiring transportation, transshipment, and storage in huge volumes. Based on this, it is urgent to solve the problem of increasing the productivity of bucket elevators in the self-supporting version. The problem is that increasing performance requires increasing the drive’s power, leading to a significant weight increase. This imposes a limit on the height of the bucket elevator. A considerable weight at a high altitude significantly reduces the stability of the structure itself. For the most part, this problem was solved by limiting the height or productivity of the bucket elevator. The construction of a self-supporting bucket elevator, possible layouts of the head drive, and advantages and disadvantages were considered. Three bucket elevators with different heights, productivity, and belt width were selected to determine the optimal layout. Four drive options were calculated for each design, and a comparative analysis was carried out using a graphical method. The analysis showed that one of the biggest problems is the displacement of the center of mass relative to the central plane of the bucket elevator. As a result, means to ensure the smallest displacement coefficient relative to the vertical axis of the bucket elevator were presented. Advantages, disadvantages, and the possibility of constructive implementation of the layouts were also considered.

Fire and Explosion Hazard Aspects for Bucket Elevators

Technological installations for the vertical transport of cereal products, are affected by the presence of combustible dusts that can be mixed with air, in suspension, or in the form of dust layers of different thicknesses. The presence of these combustible dusts is a constant danger of fires or even explosions. In combustible dusts are swirled in the air in concentrations in their explosive range and there is also an ignition source, the dusts can burn quickly and even give rise to explosions, in which case the force and pressure developed is considerable. Since, in most cases, following a fire and especially a combustible dust explosion, the damage caused is quantified by immeasurable material damage and even by recording human losses, special attention must be paid to how they are identified and implemented protection and prevention measures to prevent fires and combustible dust explosions. In this paper, the principles and main factors that must be considered when quantifying the risk of fire and/or explosion for a bucket elevator used for the vertical transport of cereal products are highlighted. A number of recommendations for the safe use of these lifts are also presented.

Design and Performance Evaluation of a Variable Speed Bucket Elevator

The bucket elevator was designed and constructed at the Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo state, Nigeria. A variable speed bucket elevator with dimensions of 0.3 m by 0.243 m and 0.47 m high with a base stand of 0.47 m high making the total height of 0.9 m was designed, evaluated and tested to determine the throughput capacity of the machine, which gave 0.176 tons h-1 at higher speed of 0.5 m s-1 with optimal efficiency at the centrifugal discharge force of 0.366 N when grain (cowpea) was elevated, and a throughput capacity of 0.109 tons h-1 at a slower speed of 0.4 m s-1 with optimal efficiency of 7.78% at the gravitational discharge force of 0.392 N when small lumpy material was elevated. 0.5 m s-1 and 0.4 m s-1 used for the experiment were obtained from the grooved step pulley with variable diameters, connected to a motor of 0.18 kW (1340 rpm) at the head, with a gear reducer of 189.7 rpm coupled to a vee belt. The result obtained during test running of the prototype model of the bucket elevator conveyor, shows that at variable speed, bucket elevator can convey different materials, which becomes an advantage instead of installing different conveyor while the same can perform the same function with a change in the pulley. This will become advantageous to low-income countries, where resources are meager to purchase different equipment whereas, a well-designed single elevator can perform variably and obtain same outcome.

Analysis of Grain Damage by the Bucket Elevator during Loading/Unloading

Analysis of Grain Damage by the Bucket Elevator during Loading/Unloading

Assessment of Suitability for Long-Term Operation of a Bucket Elevator: A Case Study

Bucket elevators generally operate on a 24/7 basis, and for this reason, one of the main requirements is their high reliability. This reliability can be ensured, among other things, by assessing the technical condition of drive assemblies and working assemblies and taking appropriate measures. Carrying out diagnostic measurements enables periodical monitoring of those mechanisms. Vibroacoustic methods are usually employed in operating conditions to measure vibration velocity and acceleration at specific points, and are used as diagnostic signals. This paper presents the results of tests of the intensity of vibrations generated in the drive unit of a large industrial bucket elevator. The analysis of the results in the time domain and frequency domain served as the basis for evaluating the suitability of the drive, and thus the elevator, for long-term operation.

Preventive Maintenance Analysis Based on Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF) and Mean Time to Repair (MTTR)

A company's ability to meet its goals depends heavily on the smooth operation of its production process. To ensure that the production machinery operates smoothly and without any breakdowns, it is essential to implement effective maintenance that addresses any issues related to the equipment. This research aims to identify the root causes of equipment failure in the soda and dolomite bucket elevator by analyzing the Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF), Mean Time to Repair (MTTR), and conducting a qualitative evaluation using Failure Mode Effects Analysis (FMEA). The analysis reveals that the company performs preventive maintenance every 3 days, which is more frequent than the optimal schedule of once every 33 days. This suggests that the company may be addressing unforeseen failures. The FMEA analysis indicates that the highest Risk Priority Number is associated with suboptimal maintenance of the Staff. To address this issue, the company can use Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) technology.

46 The Distribution of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus, Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus, and Seneca Valley Virus 1 Inoculated Feed After Chemical Mitigation to Flush a Feed Mill

Abstract Contaminated feed is a route of virus transmission between feed mills and swine farms. To reduce the risk of transmission, an understanding of the virus distribution and mitigation strategies are needed. The objective was to evaluate the distribution in the feed and environment of a feed mill of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), and Seneca Valley virus-1 (SVV1) inoculated feed before and after the use of chemical mitigants. A 22.7 kg batch of feed was inoculated with PEDV, PRRSV, and SVV1 and ran through a mixer, bucket elevator, conditioner, pellet die, and cooler. Following the virus-inoculated batch, a flush treatment of either 1) ground corn (GC), 2) GC + 1.5% liquid formaldehyde (LF; SalCURB LF Liquid, Kemin, Des Moines, IA), 3) GC + 1.5% LF + 25% abrasive material (LF-BB; SalCURB; Shell & Bone Builder, Iowa Limestone Company, Urbandale, IA) 4) double flush – GC + 25% abrasive material follow by GC +1.5% LF (2F; Shell & Bone Builder; SalCURB) or 5) dry formaldehyde (DF; SalCURB F2 Dry, Kemin, Des Moines, IA) was manufactured, followed by 3 virus-free batches. Feed and environmental samples were taken from each piece of equipment. Dust samples were taken from the inoculated, flush, and final batches from non-feed contact surfaces. Samples were analyzed via a triplex PCR at the Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. Cycle threshold and proportion PCR positive were analyzed using SAS GLIMMIXv9.4 (SAS, Inc., Cary, NC). A treatment×batch×location interaction was not observed (P > 0.05) in feed for any of the viruses. A thermal processing×treatment×batch interaction was observed (P < 0.05) for PEDV, PRRSV, and SVV1. The implementation of a flush, either chemical or physical, in combination with thermal processing led to reduced quantities (P < 0.05) of viral RNA for PEDV and PRRSV as compared with the positive pre-thermal feed. Chemically mitigated flushes reduced the quantity of SVV1 RNA in the flush and first post-flush batch more than GC pre-thermal processing (P < 0.05) with similar quantities of viral RNA post-thermal processing. In the post-thermal environmental samples, a batch×treatment interaction was observed for PEDV and SVV1, driven by increased quantities of viral RNA (P < 0.05) in the positive batch with no detectable RNA in the flush and post-flush batches. Decreasing quantities of viral RNA (P < 0.05) in dust were observed between the positive and last batch for all viruses; however, SVV1 RNA was still detectable in the dust following the last batch in all treatments. The use of chemical mitigants and thermal processing reduced the quantity of viral RNA for PEDV, PRRSV, and SVV1; however, viral presence was still observed in dust on non-feed contact surfaces which could pose as a source of contamination if re-introduced into finished feed.

PENGUJIAN BUCKET ELEVATOR GEN.01 TM

Post-harvest agricultural products are all activities carried out from the process of handling agricultural products to the process that produces semi-finished products. Improper post-harvest handling will result in yield loss, both weight and product quality. Readiness of mature harvest and post-harvest technology will improve the quality of rice and the understanding of farmers and technology users in efforts to reduce crop losses. Bucket elevator is a tool for moving material that can be used to lift grain during the grain milling process, which can help work to move grain from the surface into the milling machine. In the Bucket Elevator test results, the effective rotational speed is 352.5 Rpm using a 1 hp 3 phase motor. The design of model 1 is the optimal bucket for lifting grain, resulting in a net weight of 243 gr/bucket contents with a maximum capacity of 280 gr/bucket. When attached to the Bucket carrier belt with 3 test results with different 1 hp motors get test results 1 = 22.5 kg/m , test 2 = 21.3 kg/m , and test 3 = 22.7 kg/m , with average result– average 22.1 kg/m. The noise test on the Bucket Elevator gets the results of noise intensity at 3 different points with an average value of point 1 (front) = 77.7 dBA, point 2 (side) = 72.0 dBA, and point 3 (top) = 77, 1dBA.

Dynamic Analysis of a Combined Spiral Bevel Gear and Planetary Gear Set in a Bucket Elevator with High Power Density

A combined spiral bevel gear and planetary gear set was designed for bucket elevators to reduce the system’s complexity and improve the system’s efficiency. The dynamic model of a combined spiral bevel gear and a 2K-H planetary gear train was developed by using the lumped mass method, where the time-varying mesh stiffness and comprehensive mesh error were introduced. Then, the equations of motion of the system were solved with the Newmark numerical integration method, and the dynamic transmission error and mesh force of the gear pairs were obtained. The influences of different input rotational speeds and power on the dynamic response of the system were analyzed. The dynamic responses of the bearings between the bevel gears, planet carrier, and box were calculated. It was found that the dynamic mesh force gradually decreased with an increase in speed, and it increased with an increase in power. For low-speed and heavy-load transmission systems, the influence of power on the mesh force was more significant. It could also be found that the efficiency of the transmission system composed of a spiral bevel gear and a planetary gear was improved compared with that of the traditional system. Finally, the effectiveness of the dynamic model was validated through a comparison of the test signals. The results of the analysis in this study can be used to guide the design of vibration and noise reduction.

Mitigation of Salmonella on Food Contact Surfaces by Using Organic Acid Mixtures Containing 2-Hydroxy-4-(methylthio) Butanoic Acid (HMTBa)

Contaminated surfaces can transmit pathogens to food in industrial and domestic food-handling environments. Exposure to pathogens on food contact surfaces may take place via the cross-contamination of pathogens during postprocessing activities. Formaldehyde-based commercial sanitizers in recent years are less commonly being used within food manufacturing facilities due to consumer perception and labeling concerns. There is interest in investigating clean-label, food-safe components for use on food contact surfaces to mitigate contamination from pathogenic bacteria, including Salmonella. In this study, the antimicrobial effects of two types of organic acid mixtures containing 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio) butanoic acid (HMTBa), Activate DA™ and Activate US WD-MAX™, against Salmonella when applied onto various food contact surfaces were evaluated. The efficacy of Activate DA (HMTBa + fumaric acid + benzoic acid) at 1% and 2% and Activate US WD-MAX (HMTBa + lactic acid + phosphoric acid) at 0.5% and 1% against Salmonella enterica (serovars Enteritidis, Heidelberg, and Typhimurium) were evaluated on six different material surfaces: plastic (bucket elevator and tote bag), rubber (bucket elevator belt and automobile tire), stainless steel, and concrete. There was a significant difference in the Salmonella log reduction on the material surfaces due to the organic acid treatments when compared to the untreated surfaces. The type of material surface also had an effect on the log reductions obtained. Stainless steel and plastic (tote) had the highest Salmonella log reductions (3-3.5 logs), while plastic (bucket elevator) and rubber (tire) had the lowest log reductions (1-1.7 logs) after treatment with Activate US WD-MAX. For Activate DA, the lowest log reductions (~1.6 logs) were observed for plastic (bucket elevator) and rubber (tire), and the highest reductions were observed for plastic (tote), stainless steel, and concrete (2.8-3.2 logs). Overall, the results suggested that Activate DA at 2% and Activate US WD-MAX at 1% are potentially effective at reducing Salmonella counts on food contact surfaces by 1.6-3.5 logs.

Modeling and simulation of belt bucket elevator head shaft for safe life operation

This research paper presents a step by step conceptual design and life prediction approach for the design, modeling and simulation of head shaft of a belt bucket elevator, to be used for conveying grains to a height of 33.5 m and at the rate of 200 tons/h. output. For this elevator system, the force and torque acting on the head shaft as well as the bending moment were calculated. Furthermore, the diameter of each cross section of the shaft was determined taking into consideration the geometric and fatigue stress concentration factors, due to shoulders which contribute significantly to most fatigue failures of shafts. The stress induced on the shaft by the force and the factor of safety for each cross section of the shaft was calculated using the DE-Goodman criterion. The model of the shaft was created from the calculated diameters and subjected to static and fatigue analysis using SolidWorks FEA. The results were validated by comparing the values from the FEA and the calculated values for stress and factor of safety of the critical section of the shaft, which showed an equivalent value. The FEA gave a fatigue load factor greater than one, which signifies that the shaft will not go into failure mode within the infinite life cycle of the shaft. The value of the fatigue strength obtained from FEA was higher than the value for the maximum von misses stress of the shaft, this result shows that the head shaft will sustain the loading stresses over a finite life prediction. This research is significant because the stress induced forces on the head shaft from each component of the elevator system were properly identified and analyzed so as to obtain precise results for life prediction.

Maintenance of Cera Tanks and Bucket Elevators to Streamline the Unloading Process on Cement Carrier MV. Oceanic Success

Cement is one of the most important building materials in the world of construction today. So that the demand for cement can be used as a benchmark in the implementation of development in a country. Cement ship unloading equipment is very influential on the availability of cement supply both in Indonesia and the world. Damage to the unloading equipment on the cement carrier ship, especially the Cera Tank and Bucket Elevator, has an impact on the delay in the loading and unloading process at the port. So that maintenance is very important in order to avoid the delay in loading and unloading. This research was conducted in MV. Oceanic Success for 12 months. The aim is to find out things that must be considered in terms of maintenance of cement carrier ship unloading equipment. This research method uses a qualitative descriptive method with data analysis techniques, namely Root Cause Analysis with the help of the 5 Why Analysis Method tool. The results of this study indicate that the Cera Tank and Bucket Elevator unloading tools are lacking in terms of maintenance. Thus causing delays in the unloading process on the MV ship. Oceanic Success.

Design and Simulation of Oil Palm FFB Loading Machine

The process of loading the fresh fruit bunches of oil palm to the truck requires a lot of manpower if it is done manually. In fact, either the palm oil plantation or the smallholder palm oil farmer still performs this task manually, so that it can lead to fatigue and can result in injuries for the worker due to heavy workload. The purpose of this research is to design and simulate a machine for lifting the fresh fruit bunches to the truck, so that the activities of lifting the fresh fruit bunches to the truck become easier and can have a bigger working capacity. This research was conducted using a functional and structural design approach consisting of several stages, including: problem identification, design concept formulation, engineering analysis, engineering drawings, material strength analysis, kinematics simulation, power consumption simulation, and digital scale simulation. A simple structure of electric motor-driven bucket elevator was designed to load the fresh fruit bunches on to the truck tailgate. Based on the simulation results, the fresh fruit bunches can be lifted up satisfactorily from the bottom to the top with an elevator mechanism. This elevator is designed with lightweight for easy installation and kept at the tailgate of the truck. The maximum electric power consumption for lifting the fresh fruit bunches was found to be 1466.24 watts with designed loading capacity 23 ton/hour.

REDESIGN BUCKET GUNA MENINGKATKAN KAPASITAS ANGKUT MESIN ELEVATOR PADA PROSES PENGERINGAN JAGUNG DRYER 3 DI PT. JJ

PT JJ is the largest and most integrated agri-food company in Indonesia. The company's main business units are the manufacture of animal feed, chicken breeding, poultry processing and agricultural cultivation. PT. JJ has 3 dryer machines, including dryer 1, dryer 2, and dryer 3, in this drying process there is a problem in dryer 3, where the carrying capacity of raw materials is not sufficient so that drying activities are hampered and the dryer machine does not work optimally, with problems This causes the production process to experience obstacles so that it wastes a lot of time which makes work ineffective and detrimental to the company.
 By doing this research, it aims to increase the carrying capacity of corn raw materials in the dryer machine which is only capable of transporting 17 tons/hour of raw material and to maximize the productivity of the dryer machine, so that production time is more effective and minimizes losses. After redesigning the bucket using the Common Formula Elevators formula, the bucket capacity/volume increased from 0.5 kg/bucket to 0.8 kg/bucket, increased the elevator engine capacity from 17 tons/hour to 23 tons/hour, and made changes in the form of a bucket elevator.

Experimental Performance Analysis of a Pilot-Scale Biomass-Assisted Recirculating Mixed-Flow Dryer for Drying Paddy.

A large amount of heat energy is required for paddy drying processes to evaporate water from paddy grains. Currently, fossil fuels are being used as an energy source to heat air during the drying process. However, fossil fuels cause air pollution, climate change, and disruption of ecological balance. In this study, to reduce the dependence on fossil fuels for paddy drying, a pilot-scale biomass-assisted recirculating mixed-flow drying system (PSBA-RMFD) for drying paddy was designed, installed, and tested. In this PSBA-RMFD, the heat energy required for heating the drying air was provided only by biomass. The PSBA-RMFD comprises a biomass furnace, drying column, vibratory feeder, bucket elevator, and blower. This study is aimed at evaluating the performance of the PSBA-RMFD with a drying capacity of 400 kg/h. The performance metrics of the PSBA-RMFD were specific energy consumption (SEC), specific thermal energy consumption (STEC), specific moisture evaporation rate (SMER), thermal efficiency of the PSBA-RMFD, exergy efficiency of the drying section, and improvement potential of the dryer. From the experiments conducted in this study, the values of the aforementioned performance parameters were as follows: 0.806-8.656 kW h/kg of water evaporated; 0.385-4.136 kW h/kg of water evaporated; 0.122-1.308 kg of water evaporated/kW h; 7.82-83.99%; 15.28-25.64%; and 858.90-1355.62 W, respectively. The paddy moisture content was reduced from 20.90% wet basis (initial weight of 400 kg) to 13.30% wet basis (final weight of 364 kg) in 270 min, with an average temperature of 78.15°C and average relative humidity of 8.55%. The percentage of biomass energy used in the drying system was approximately 47.77% of the overall energy. In addition, the payback period of the PSBA-RMFD was 1.9 years.