Analysis of augers for metering prilled urea and injecting it in flooded soils.
Date
1984
Abstract
Augers of small (191 mm) diameters have been analyzed for accurate metering of prilled urea fertilizer and evaluated for injection vertically down into the flooded Maahas clay soil. Simulation of the field soil condition by rotating circular bin and by use of other pertinent equipment were necessary in determining the discharge rate performance of spring wire and sheet metal spiral augers for metering and injection. A consistent (low variance), uniform and high metering and injection discharge rate were among the primary criteria used for identifying desirable auger related factor levels for an efficient mechanism for deep-fertilizer applicator. A sequential-completely randomized design of experiment was used. In injection, a high average discharge rate of 130 kg-N/ha was observed with the use of spring wire auger at 1.5 pitch-diameter ratio, 150 rpm rotational auger speed and 60 ° angle from the horizontal and using a coarse (black grade) prilled urea. The average power effectively utilized by the injection auger was 6.03 watts and with an input power into the electric motor of 819.3 watts. Intensive injection auger type analysis revealed that spring wire auger gave maximum discharge rates only at the above factorial conditions and specifically for coarse prilled urea. The sheet metal spiral, however, had uniformly and consistently injected fine or coarse prilled urea into flooded soils but at relatively low discharge rate. The use of spring wire auger was found to give a uniform, consistent and higher metering discharge rate performance than the sheet metal spiral. The other related conditions for high discharge were the use of 1.25 pitch-diameter ratio, 150 rpm auger rotational speed, 0° angle from horizontal and the use of coarse (black grade( prilled urea. The corresponding effective power used by the metering auger was 6.52 watts with a total power input of 334.3 watts at the electrical motor drive.
Document Type
Master Thesis
Major Course
Major in Agricultural and Bio-Process Engineering
Language
English
LC Subject
Augers
Location
UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)
Call Number
LG 995 1984 A2 M34
Recommended Citation
Mahmood, Zahid, "Analysis of augers for metering prilled urea and injecting it in flooded soils." (1984). Graduate Student's Output. 2396.
https://www.ukdr.uplb.edu.ph/etd-grad/2396