MODELING OF THE GRAIN INJURY PROCESS DURING THE OPERATION OF TRANSPORT AND TECHNOLOGICAL LINES

Abstract

The process of grain transportation through technological lines is characterized by considerable mechanical damage to kernels. As is well known, the selection of process parameters plays a crucial role in the preparation and planning of experiments. The chosen parameters should encompass all major factors of the technological process, while their number must remain minimal for the designed experimental setup. This paper presents a methodology for modeling the grain damage process based on dimensional analysis and similarity theory during the preparatory stage of experiments aimed at implementing damage-reducing technologies in transport and technological lines. The proposed approach enables scaling experimental or laboratory results to real operating conditions of equipment. The study identifies and classifies parameters that cause adverse grain breakage effects, including physico-mechanical properties, external impact parameters, and biological characteristics of grain. Classification is carried out according to processes or properties sharing similar physical characteristics. Based on the defined parameters, a functional scheme of the “grain damage” indicator at the level of the transport-technological system has been developed. By applying similarity criteria, dimensionless complexes are obtained, allowing the assessment of parameter effects on the process independently of measurement units. This makes them useful for revealing fundamental regularities of the process. In research applications, these parameters can be employed to compare both typical grain transportation processes and individual nodes or system elements. Using dimensional analysis (Federman–Buckingham theorem), three main independent criteria affecting grain damage during transportation are identified: kernel shell density, dynamic force acting on the grain, and hardness of the contact surface between the kernel and the working body or equipment. The results obtained not only enable the prediction of kernel damage levels but also provide recommendations for selecting optimal operating modes of transport equipment and for developing design solutions aimed at minimizing losses. This highlights the importance of an integrated approach to the design of transport systems, combining technical, economic, and technological aspects.