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DOI: 10.15507/2658-4123.035.202501.121-138

Optimizing the Parameters of a Universal Unit for Fodder Grinding

Zakir V. Quliyev
Head of the Mechanization and Automation of Technological Processes in Animal Husbandry Laboratory, Scientific Research Institute “Agromechanics”, Azerbaijan State Agrarian University (450 Ataturk Ave., Ganja Az2000, Azerbaijan), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6090-1853, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Kamal H. Yaqubov
Cand.Sci. (Eng.), Associate Professor, Leading Researcher of the Mechanization and Automation of Technological Processes in Animal Husbandry Laboratory, Scientific Research Institute “Agromechanics”, Azerbaijan State Agrarian University (450 Ataturk Ave., Ganja Az2000, Azerbaijan), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-1426-5581, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Elman M. Aliev
Senior Researcher of the Mechanization and Automation of Technological Processes in Animal Husbandry Laboratory, Scientific Research Institute “Agromechanics”, Azerbaijan State Agrarian University (450 Ataturk Ave., Ganja Az2000, Azerbaijan), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5371-2667, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract
Introduction. The diversity of the fodder base and livestock in farming enterprises requires various processing lines and technological tools for fodder preparation. Most commonly, a high cost of these technological tools makes their use economically unfeasible. Therefore, an urgent task is to create compact technological tools for mechanizing the main processes of fodder preparation in farming enterprises.
Aim of the Study. The study is aimed at investigating the main structural-and-technological factors affecting the fodder grinding by a hammer-segment grinding tool with more efficient energy consumption indicators.
Materials and Methods. The subject of the study is an experimental setup of a universal grinder with a combined hammer-segment grinding tool. During the study, optimization criteria were found and key factors influencing the grinding process were identified. There was investigated the influence of key factors, such as the rotor rotation speed and the rate of raw material feeding into the grinding chamber, on such optimization criteria as energy consumption and grinding process quality. The experimental studies were analyzed to determine the optimal combination of parameters. During the experiments, the rotor rotation speed was adjusted through changing the supply voltage frequency and the feeding of raw material of a specific mass was carried out at regular intervals. The quality of grinding was determined by the granulometric composition and the average length of the fodder particles, while the energy consumption of the grinding process was measured using an alternating current power meter. To construct a mathematical model, there was used a central composite rotatable design of the second order for two factors.
Results. Based on the obtained data, there have been identified optimal parameter combinations for effective fodder grinding in accordance with zootechnical requirements and at minimal energy consumption for the grinding process.
Discussion and Conclusion. The main factor affecting the energy consumption of the grinding process is the fodder supply into the grinding chamber. The primary reason for the increase in energy consumption is the increase in grinding force in each segment of the working tool caused by increasing the density of fodder passing through the grinding tool per each unit of time. The data obtained during the experimental study make it possible to optimize the working process of the developed universal grinder for fodder grinding to feed cattle in livestock farms.

Keywords: coarse feeds, grain feeds, root and tuber crops, grinding process, energy consumption of the process, grinding chamber, grinding tool

Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

For citation: Quliyev Z.V., Yaqubov K.G., Aliev E.M. Optimizing the Parameters of a Universal Unit for Fodder Grinding. Engineering Technologies and Systems. 2025;35(1):121–138. https://doi.org/10.15507/2658-4123.035.202501.121-138

Authors contribution:
Z. V. Kuliev – conducting the study, specifically performing the experiments and collecting data; preparing the manuscript: critical analysis of the draft manuscript, making comments and corrections by members of the research team including at the pre- and post-publication stages.
K. G. Yakubov – conducting the study, specifically performing the experiments and collecting data; preparing the manuscript, specifically visualizing the study results and the data obtained.
E. M. Aliev – conducting the study, specifically performing the experiments and collecting data; preparing the manuscript, specifically visualizing the study results and the data obtained.

All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.

Submitted 25.10.2024;
revised 08.11.2024;
accepted 15.11.2024

REFERENCES

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