Development of a new laboratory setup for an experimental study of potato heap cleaners

Abstract

In this work the laboratory installation of a new construction developed by the authors is resulted for carrying out of experimental researches of potato heap cleaners of spiral type, capable to active self-cleaning from the sticky soil, effective removal of ground and vegetative impurity and qualitative clearing of potato tubers with their minimum losses and damages. In particular, experimental studies of the potato peeler, which consists of five wavy working spirals, will be carried out at this laboratory facility, which will significantly expand the working area of separation of the incoming potato peeler, and this will contribute to its better dispersion on the working surface of the cleaner, more intensive destruction of soil lumps, and consequently improvement of soil and plant impurities screening and reduction of clogging of working spirals, finally increases productivity and efficiency of the potato cleaner. The process of cleaning tubers from soil and plant impurities by the specified cleaner is carried out due to the movement of potato heap by means of coils of cantilever fixed spiral springs rotating with the certain angular speed and oscillatory movement of the springs themselves, appears due to bending of their longitudinal axes under the influence of weight I arrive in the working area of the heap cleaner. Soil and vegetable impurities are sifted through separating gaps and spiral coils, and potato tubers are transported by spiral coils in the direction of the discharge conveyor. Calculations of the required power for the drive of the laboratory unit have shown that it does not exceed 1.3 kW.