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Publication

Modelling dust distribution from static pneumatic sowing machines

Journal Contribution - Journal Article Conference Contribution

The MASTER-project aims at quantifying the dust drift risk from seed drillers and developing drift reduction measures and innovations in sowing techniques using an integrated experimental and modelling approach. A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was developed that calculates the airflow and dust particle movement around the machine. To this end, the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations are solved around the 3D geometry of seed drillers to obtain the airflow field as a result of the airjet(s) emitted from the fan exhaust of the pneumatic machines. In addition, the track of dust particles is calculated from the emission sources on the machine into the surrounding air using a Lagrangian tracking procedure of representative dust particles. In this contribution, the model is used to calculate the dust emission, distribution and deposition around static drillers operated in a closed environment. The pneumatic drills chosen were: an overpressure based pneumatic bulk drilling machine (Kuhn Venta nc 3000) and a vacuum based precision seed drill with and without deflectors (Gaspardo ST Stella 300). The machine and dust characteristics were measured and are presented in separate contributions. The measured properties of the emitted dust particles (particle size distribution, density and shape) and the airflow characteristics from the machine (fan outlet direction, air velocity magnitude at outlet) were used in the CFD model as inputs, while the machine and tractor geometry were obtained from CAD drawings. The CFD model predicted the behavior of the dust particles around the static machines. The dust cloud was calculated for a representative number of 10 000 particles from the measured size distribution. The air velocity magnitude and direction and the particle density, size and shape affected the dust distribution around the different machines. The model predictions were validated with measurements of the 3D airflow pattern dust sampling around the machines during dedicated trials with tracer coated seeds.
Journal: Aspects of applied biology / Association of Applied Biologists
ISSN: 0265-1491
Volume: 122
Pages: 95 - 101
Publication year:2014