Research Highlights: The correlations between seed mass and the remaining physical properties were determined in selected fir species, and a method for seed sorting was proposed to promote uniform germination and emergence. Background and Objectives: Information about the variation and correlations between the physical properties of seeds is essential for designing and modeling seed processing operations such as seed separation. The aim of this study was to determine the range of variation in the physical properties of seeds in eleven fir species, and to analyze the correlations between these parameters to improve the seed sorting process. Materials and Methods: Terminal velocity, thickness, width, length, the angle of external friction and mass were determined in the seeds of 11 fir species. The measured parameters were used to calculate the geometric mean diameter, three aspect ratios, sphericity index and the specific mass of each seed. Results: The seeds of Sierra white fir where most similar, whereas the seeds of balsam fir differed most considerably from the seeds of the remaining fir species. In the majority of the analyzed fir species, seed mass was most strongly correlated with terminal velocity, followed by thickness. Conclusions: Fir seeds should be sorted primarily with the use of mesh sieves with longitudinal openings to obtain fractions with similar seed mass and to eliminate the need for dewinging.

Information about the variations and correlations between the physical properties of seeds is essential for designing and modeling seed processing operations. The aim of this study was to determine the variations in the basic physical properties of seeds of selected spruce species and to identify the correlations between these attributes for the needs of the seed sorting processes. Terminal velocity, thickness, width, length, mass, and the angle of external friction were determined in the seeds of 11 spruce species. The measured parameters were used to calculate three aspect ratios (geometric mean diameter, sphericity index, and specific mass) of each seed. The average values of the basic physical properties of the analyzed seeds were determined in the following range: terminal velocity—5.25 to 8.34 m s−1, thickness—1.10 to 2.32 mm, width—1.43 to 3.19 mm, length—2.76 to 5.52 mm, the angle of external friction—23.1 to 30.0°, and mass—2.29 to 18.57 mg. The seeds of Jezo spruce and Meyer’s spruce were most similar to the seeds of other spruce species, whereas oriental spruce seeds differed most considerably from the remaining seeds. Our findings indicate that spruce seeds should be sorted primarily with the use of mesh sieves with longitudinal openings to obtain fractions with similar seed mass and to promote even germination.

Research Highlights: The correlations between the analyzed physical properties of seeds and seed mass were determined. The results were analyzed to determine most effective seed separation devices for the evaluated fir species. Background and Objectives: Information about the variations and correlations between the physical properties of seeds is essential for designing and modeling seed processing operations such as seed separation. The aim of this study was to determine the range of variations in the basic physical properties of seeds of selected fir species, and to identify the correlations between these attributes for the needs of the seed sorting processes. Materials and Methods: Terminal velocity, thickness, width, length, the angle of external friction and mass were determined in the seeds of 11 fir species. The measured parameters were used to calculate the geometric mean diameter, three aspect ratios, sphericity index and the specific mass of each seed. Results: The average values of the basic physical properties of the analyzed seeds were determined in the following range: terminal velocity – from 4.8 to 7.1 m s-1, thickness – from 1.76 to 3.22 mm, width – from 3.29 to 5.57 mm, length – from 5.44 to 11.06 mm, angle of external friction – from 26 to 33°, and mass – from 7.9 to 48.3 mg. The seeds of Sierra white fir where most similar, whereas the seeds of balsam fir differed most considerably from the seeds of the remaining fir species. Conclusions: Fir seeds should be sorted primarily with the use of mesh sieves with longitudinal openings to obtain fractions with similar seed mass and to eliminate the need for dewinging.

The frictional properties of seeds have been extensively studied, but most researchers have identified only the type of tested friction materials (e.g. concrete, steel, wood) without describing their manufacturing characteristics. The aim of this study was to determine the correlations between the external friction angle of wheat kernels vs. the roughness of the friction plate and the basic physical properties of kernels. The experiment was performed on the kernels of winter wheat var. Jensen obtained directly from spikes and threshed kernels. The external friction angle of every kernel was measured on six friction plates characterized by different surface geometry. Measurements were performed in five replications with a photosensor device which registered the external friction angle of kernels. The basic dimensions and the mass of every kernel were measured, and the results were used to calculate four shape factors for the analyzed kernels. The correlations between the evaluated attributes were determined by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and linear correlation analysis. The roughness of the friction plate significantly influenced the external friction angle of wheat kernels. The average values of the angle of external friction ranged from around 16°to around 24°. The lowest value of the angle of external friction was noted for surface roughness of Ra = 0.93 μm, and the highest value -for surface roughness of Ra = 5.86 μm. Higher values of the angle of external friction were observed in kernels obtained directly from spikes than in threshed kernels. ARTICLE HISTORY

Abstract:The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between the external friction angle of cereal kernels and the roughness of a steel friction plate. The experiment was performed on the kernels of five principal cereals: wheat, rye, barley, oats, and triticale. Flat seed units composed of three spaced kernels joined by adhesive tape were analyzed in each experimental variant. The external friction angle of flat seed units was determined on nine steel friction plates with different roughness. Measurements were performed in three replications with a photosensor device which registered the external friction angle of cereal kernels. On friction plates with surface roughness Ra = 0.36 to Ra = 6.72, the average values of the angle of external friction ranged from 17.56 • in rye kernels to 34.01 • in oat kernels. The greatest similarities in the angle of external friction were observed between wheat and triticale kernels, whereas the greatest differences were noted between barley and oat kernels and between barley and triticale kernels. Friction plates made of ST3S steel should be characterized by the lowest surface roughness to minimize energy consumption during grain processing. The optimal surface roughness of steel friction plates was determined at Ra = 0.9.

Abstract:The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between the external friction angle 11 of cereal kernels and the roughness of a steel friction plate. The experiment was performed on the 12 kernels of five principal cereals: wheat, rye, barley, oats and triticale. Flat seed units composed of should be characterized by the lowest surface roughness to minimize energy consumption during 22 grain processing. The optimal surface roughness of steel friction plates was determined at Ra=0.9. 23

The basic physical properties of hemp seeds were measured to determine the correlations between these properties to facilitate the planning of seed sorting operations. The basic dimensions (length, width, and thickness), terminal velocity, angle of external friction, and mass were determined in the selected seeds. The seeds were subjected to a uniaxial compressive strength test to determine the force required to damage a seed, the corresponding displacement, and the energy consumed during the trial. The seed sorting was based on the basic dimensions of the seeds in order to divide the seeds into groups with similar average mass. The hemp seeds were most effectively sorted with the use of a screen with slotted apertures. The optimal set of screens should separate approximately 11% to 24% of the seeds into a fraction with the lowest seed thickness, and approximately 16% to 21% of the seeds into a fraction with the highest seed thickness. The basic seed dimensions significantly influenced the specific mass of the individual hemp seeds, and the corresponding correlations are most effectively described by power functions.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the friction plate hardness and surface orientation of a friction plate on the angle and coefficient of static friction of cereal kernels. The angle of static friction of kernels representing four major cereal species was measured on six friction plates with different hardness. The friction plates were placed in position where their surface orientation was perpendicular or parallel relative to their inclination tilt. The experimental material comprised the so-called flat seed units, where each unit consisted of three spaced kernels. The angle of static friction of every flat seed unit was measured with a dedicated device in three replications, and average values of that angle were calculated. The kernels’ angle of static friction varied considerably from 13° to 33° within the analyzed range of changes in the surface characteristics of friction plates. The average angle of static friction was influenced mainly by the surface orientation of the friction plate that came into contact with cereal kernels. The angle of static friction was 17.5% to 56.5% higher when the friction plate had perpendicular rather than parallel surface orientation. The frictional properties of kernels were less influenced by plate hardness, and clear relationships were not observed in this respect. The kernels’ coefficient of static friction remained fairly constant within the analyzed range of plate hardness values, and it was estimated at 0.4 on plates with a perpendicular surface orientation and at 0.3 on plates with a parallel surface orientation.