Optimization of the Design of a Chamber for Pre-Sowing Electric Treatment of Field Crop Seeds

Abstract

Based on a study of the electric field, shortcomings were found in the design of the working chamber of a device used for pre-sowing electromagnetic treatment of field crop seeds. After a model of the electric field of the metal screw-device casing electrode system was created in the Finite Element Method Magnetics (FEMM) software environment, optimization of the working chamber design was performed. It was found that in certain sections (problem zones) of the working chamber of the treatment device the electric field was non-uniform. This resulted in a poorer efficiency of the seed pre-sowing treatment.After an optimization was performed, a new design of the working chamber screw was proposed. The shape of the modified screw followed the curves of the equipotential lines of the electric field in the working chamber. In this way, a change in the electric field pattern in the problem areas of the interelectrode space was achieved. In the proposed new design of the working chamber of the device, the treated seeds will be subjected to an effective pre-sowing impact.