Examination of the Airflow Uneven Distribution over the Combine Harvester Cleaning System

Abstract

The research aims to study the uneven distribution of airflow created by a fan over the cleaning system of a combine harvester, affecting the efficiency of the technological process of separating impurities from the original crop. The article presents a methodology for studying the actual operation process using a digital twin, reveals problem areas and studies even distribution of the airflow at the outlet of the fan discharge channel of the combine harvester cleaning system. During the research, several parameters were defined. Based on the digital twin development and study, the airflow rate at the outlet of the radial fan discharge duct of the combine harvester (CH) cleaning system at different rotation rates of the fan wheel (450-1050 min-1) was determined. Experimental measurements of the airflow distribution over the working part of the sieve shoe for the existing cleaning system and modern combine harvesters made up 3.75-10.2 m/s.