İsmail Serkan KOLCU, Adnan DEĞİRMENCİOĞLU

Optimization of the Distribution Uniformity of a Single-Disc Granular Broadcast Spreader

The objective of this study was to optimize the distribution uniformity performance of a single-disc granular broadcast spreader. The performance indicators were considered to be the coefficient of variation (CV, %) and skewing ratio (left to right or right to left ratio of the granular material applied). Central Composite Design (CCD) which is rotatable and one of the designs in Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used in order to optimize the distribution uniformity. Two different fertilizers (urea and triple super phosphate) were used and a total of 20 experiments for each fertilizer were conducted. Each experiment was triplicated. The independent variables considered in this study were the peripheral speed of the disc (corresponding to power take-off linearly), the fertilizer flow rate and the impeller angle. The dependent variables were the coefficient of variation (CV, %) and skewing ratio (either right to left or left to right distribution). Mathematical functions in polynomial form were developed based on the principles of RSM that allowed conducting reduced number of experiments as compared to full factorial design. The optimum levels of the variables were obtained and verification tests were also achieved. It was concluded that the three variables considered in this study affect the distribution uniformity performance of the broadcast spreader.

Anahtar Kelimeler:

Mathematical modeling, response surface methodology, skewing, fertilizer

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