JUSTIFICATION OF THE DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF THE ROTOR MIXER OF PERIODIC ACTION COMBINED FEED

Abstract

The last stage of preparation of fodder mixtures is mixing of components with the help of special devices - mixers of continuous or periodic action. From the point of view of zootechnics, it is important not only to include in the fodder mixture the components provided for by the diet in the required ratio, but also to ensure an even distribution of all components throughout the volume of the mixture. The homogeneity of the mixture ensures the same nutritional value of the feed in all parts of its volume. Currently, when creating a new generation of mixers for dry fodder mixtures, preference is given to rotating mixers. The advantages of mixers of this type compared to stationary intermittent mixers of any type are: a reduction in feed unloading time, a fully automated chamber cleaning cycle, the absence of stagnant zones and rubbing parts. The purpose of the research is to determine the rational structural and technological parameters of the intermittent rotary mixer and to study the change in the homogeneity of the mixture when varying their values. Research was conducted in two stages: numerical modeling and experimental research. Numerical simulation was implemented in the Simcenter Star-CCM+ software package. As research factors, we accept the following parameters: angle of inclination of the blade α (0 °, 45 °, 90 °), mass of material m (0.1 kg, 0.2 kg, 0.3 kg), rotation frequency n (30 rpm min, 60 rpm, 90 rpm), mixing duration t (1 min, 3 min, 5 min). Experimental studies were carried out on a laboratory installation of a periodic rotary mixer. As a result of numerical modeling and experimental studies of the mixing process in a rotary mixer of batch feed, the dependences of the change in the homogeneity coefficient of the mixture in the mixer h on the angle of inclination of the blade α, the mass of the material m, the rotation frequency n, and the duration of mixing t were established. By fulfilling the condition of maximizing the homogeneity of the mixture in the Wolfram Cloud software package, the rational parameters of the rotary compound feed mixer of periodic action were obtained: α = 50.5 °, t = 4.415 min., m = 0.11 kg, n = 43.9 rpm. At the same time, the homogeneity coefficient is h = 0.98.