Structure Optimization and Performance Simulation of a Double-Disc Fertilizer Spreader Based on EDEM-CFD
To address practical issues, such as uneven fertilizer distribution and poor particle dispersion, during the operation of a centrifugal double-disc fertilizer spreader, a discrete element method (DEM) simulation was initially performed. In this simulation, the blade inclination angle, fertilizer dis...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Agronomy |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/5/1025 |
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| _version_ | 1850255140619026432 |
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| author | Mingxiong Ou Guanqun Wang Ying Lu Zhengji Zhang Huijie Pan Weidong Jia Xiang Dong |
| author_facet | Mingxiong Ou Guanqun Wang Ying Lu Zhengji Zhang Huijie Pan Weidong Jia Xiang Dong |
| author_sort | Mingxiong Ou |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | To address practical issues, such as uneven fertilizer distribution and poor particle dispersion, during the operation of a centrifugal double-disc fertilizer spreader, a discrete element method (DEM) simulation was initially performed. In this simulation, the blade inclination angle, fertilizer discharge offset angle, and spreading height were selected as experimental factors. The spreading width and the coefficient of variation (C<sub>v</sub>) of fertilizer uniformity served as evaluation indicators. A quadratic orthogonal simulation experiment was designed to evaluate spreading performance. Subsequently, regression equations were established to optimize parameters and determine the optimal design configuration. Experimental results showed optimal performance with a blade inclination angle of −5°, fertilizer discharge offset angle of 45°, spreading height of 1050 mm, and disc rotational speed of 400 rpm. Considering that fertilizer spreaders are susceptible to air resistance and environmental wind during field operations, an EDEM-CFD coupling method was employed to simulate realistic operating conditions. Virtual simulation results demonstrated optimal fertilizer spreading performance at disc rotational speeds ranging from 350 to 400 rpm under tailwind conditions, and from 400 to 500 rpm under headwind conditions. Based on the simulation results, a prototype was built and tested. The experimental results closely matched the simulation predictions, thereby confirming the effectiveness of the simulation model. This study provides valuable insights and serves as a reference for designing and optimizing fertilizer spreader performance under practical operational conditions. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-684db067a5e14832bdbcaa9c6e7b2879 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2073-4395 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Agronomy |
| spelling | doaj-art-684db067a5e14832bdbcaa9c6e7b28792025-08-20T01:56:57ZengMDPI AGAgronomy2073-43952025-04-01155102510.3390/agronomy15051025Structure Optimization and Performance Simulation of a Double-Disc Fertilizer Spreader Based on EDEM-CFDMingxiong Ou0Guanqun Wang1Ying Lu2Zhengji Zhang3Huijie Pan4Weidong Jia5Xiang Dong6School of Agricultural Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, ChinaSchool of Agricultural Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, ChinaLINHAI Co., Ltd., Taizhou 225300, ChinaSchool of Agricultural Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, ChinaSchool of Agricultural Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, ChinaSchool of Agricultural Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, ChinaSchool of Agricultural Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, ChinaTo address practical issues, such as uneven fertilizer distribution and poor particle dispersion, during the operation of a centrifugal double-disc fertilizer spreader, a discrete element method (DEM) simulation was initially performed. In this simulation, the blade inclination angle, fertilizer discharge offset angle, and spreading height were selected as experimental factors. The spreading width and the coefficient of variation (C<sub>v</sub>) of fertilizer uniformity served as evaluation indicators. A quadratic orthogonal simulation experiment was designed to evaluate spreading performance. Subsequently, regression equations were established to optimize parameters and determine the optimal design configuration. Experimental results showed optimal performance with a blade inclination angle of −5°, fertilizer discharge offset angle of 45°, spreading height of 1050 mm, and disc rotational speed of 400 rpm. Considering that fertilizer spreaders are susceptible to air resistance and environmental wind during field operations, an EDEM-CFD coupling method was employed to simulate realistic operating conditions. Virtual simulation results demonstrated optimal fertilizer spreading performance at disc rotational speeds ranging from 350 to 400 rpm under tailwind conditions, and from 400 to 500 rpm under headwind conditions. Based on the simulation results, a prototype was built and tested. The experimental results closely matched the simulation predictions, thereby confirming the effectiveness of the simulation model. This study provides valuable insights and serves as a reference for designing and optimizing fertilizer spreader performance under practical operational conditions.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/5/1025fertilizer spreadingblade inclination angledischarge offset angledisc rotational speed |
| spellingShingle | Mingxiong Ou Guanqun Wang Ying Lu Zhengji Zhang Huijie Pan Weidong Jia Xiang Dong Structure Optimization and Performance Simulation of a Double-Disc Fertilizer Spreader Based on EDEM-CFD Agronomy fertilizer spreading blade inclination angle discharge offset angle disc rotational speed |
| title | Structure Optimization and Performance Simulation of a Double-Disc Fertilizer Spreader Based on EDEM-CFD |
| title_full | Structure Optimization and Performance Simulation of a Double-Disc Fertilizer Spreader Based on EDEM-CFD |
| title_fullStr | Structure Optimization and Performance Simulation of a Double-Disc Fertilizer Spreader Based on EDEM-CFD |
| title_full_unstemmed | Structure Optimization and Performance Simulation of a Double-Disc Fertilizer Spreader Based on EDEM-CFD |
| title_short | Structure Optimization and Performance Simulation of a Double-Disc Fertilizer Spreader Based on EDEM-CFD |
| title_sort | structure optimization and performance simulation of a double disc fertilizer spreader based on edem cfd |
| topic | fertilizer spreading blade inclination angle discharge offset angle disc rotational speed |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/5/1025 |
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