Experimental study into energy consumption of the manure removal processes using scraper units

Abstract

The regularities of the influence of the scraper opening angle, the angle of inclination of the scrapers and the speed of the scraper on the specific energy consumption of the improved scraper unit were experimentally investigated. The schedule of hourly accumulation of manure and the schedule of switching on the scraper unit were experimentally substantiated, and 5 times of manure cleaning per day, at 7, 9, 14, 18, 22 hours, was proposed, which will lead to a significant reduction in energy consumption and conveyor operation. Experimental studies have determined the structural (scraper opening angle and angle of inclination of the scraper working surface) and technological (scraper speed) parameters at which the improved scraper unit will have minimal specific energy consumption. It has been established that the optimal parameters of the scraper unit, at which the improved scraper unit will have minimal specific energy consumption, are: the angle of opening of the scraper in the range from 105 to 115°; the angle of inclination of the working surface of the scrapers - 60°; the speed of the scraper - 0.13 m/s. Based on these parameters, a manure scraper was designed and manufactured. Comparative experimental studies were conducted on the operation of the developed manure scraper and the prototype, the factory-made scraper USG-3. These studies have shown the advantage of the developed scraper unit in comparison with the USG-3, with specific energy consumption decreasing by 44 to 48 % to a value of 0.34-0.36 kWh/t. The established rational parameters and operating modes of the scraper unit reduce energy consumption for manure removal from livestock buildings with the required quality of manure channel cleaning, which confirms the feasibility of its introduction into production. The results of these studies can also be used in the design of bulldozers and other reclamation equipment.