Simulation and Research Methodology for the Process of Conveying Bulk Materials by Screw Conveyors

Introduction. Increase in the performance of modern agricultural machines is not possible without the use of more powerful conveying working tools. In this regard, one of the topical problems of mechanical engineering is the development of conveying working tools not only with high performance, but also with optimal geometric parameters affecting the conveying process. However, there is no validated methodology for simulation and evaluation of the efficiency of bulk material movement by screws conveyors, which would allow determining the most optimal design variant at the design stage. Aim of the Study. The study is aimed at justifying the methods for simulating and studying the process of conveying bulk materials by screw conveyors. Materials and Methods. The object of the study was an unloading system of a combine harvester. There is presented the methodology of developing a digital model for the conveying system with the possibility of simulating the bulk material movement process through using discrete-element simulation. Results. There have been proposed and justified the methodology for comparative estimation of the efficiency of conveying bulk material by screw conveyors. There were taken into account the possibility of wide variation of technological properties of bulk materials coming for conveying and of operation kinematic modes allowing the comparison of different variants and selection of the most effective variant by the criterion of minimization of the aggregate path for movement of separate particles and minimum specific power consumption for movement. Discussion and Conclusion. The obtained methodology can be used to develop new and evaluate the efficiency of existing conveying working tools of screw-type. This methodology allows making a wider analysis of the technological process of conveying bulk materials, including the unloading of grain mass from the combine harvester.