Corrosion of agricultural machinery exposed to mineral fertilizers represents a critical issue, leading to substantial economic losses and deterioration of operational performance. The study aimed to test the hypothesis that a copper chelate complex exhibits anticorrosion properties and is capable of forming protective films on metal surfaces. The corrosion behavior of structural steel St3, widely used in agricultural machinery components, was investigated in aqueous solutions of various mineral fertilizers, including urea, ammonium nitrate, two types of nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium sulfur-containing fertilizers, and a micronutrient fertilizer containing a copper chelate complex. The solution concentration range (0.5-3 wt%) was selected to simulate realistic operating conditions for agricultural machinery. Distilled water served as the reference medium. Corrosion resistance was evaluated in accordance with GOST 9.908-85 using the gravimetric method. The results demonstrated that ammonium nitrate exhibits the highest corrosion activity, with a corrosion rate ranging from 1.2172 to 1.8937 g/m²·h, exceeding that of the control by a factor of 8.5. In contrast, the copper chelate complex showed pronounced inhibiting properties, reducing the corrosion rate to that between 0.0008 and 0.0019 g/m²·h, which corresponds to a reduction of approximately 99% relative to the control. Electrochemical studies were performed under potentiodynamic conditions using an Autolab PGSTAT 302N potentiostat. Measurements conducted in accordance with GOST 9.509-89 revealed that the copper chelate acts as an anodic inhibitor, shifting the corrosion potential toward more positive values by 0.34-0.59 V. The hypothesis was thus confirmed, and the corrosion protection mechanism was attributed to the formation of an adsorption film on the steel surface. The use of copper chelate is proposed as a bifunctional agent – serving simultaneously as a micronutrient fertilizer and a corrosion inhibitor – to reduce the corrosion activity of working solutions in contact with agricultural machinery components.
Heating of livestock buildings contributes to the normalization of the indoor climate. However, electric heaters commonly used in such facilities require periodic cleaning of their tubular heating elements, lack a standardized service life, and pose a fire hazard. Water and steam heating systems, on the other hand, involve high installation and maintenance costs. An alternative to these systems is an aerodynamic heating unit, which is simple, reliable, and easy to install. Its operating principle is based on the rotary heating of the coolant (air) within a thermally insulated working chamber equipped with two connecting pipes linked by a heat exchanger duct. To explore the feasibility of using an aerodynamic heating unit in livestock building heating systems, the authors manufactured a prototype and constructed a building model. The study aimed to develop a mathematical model for predicting both the coolant temperature and the resulting indoor air temperature as functions of the installation parameters, environmental conditions, and the thermal characteristics of the building envelope. During the autumn–winter period of 2025, research was conducted at Bryansk State Agrarian University on a prototype aerodynamic heating installation to obtain initial data for implementing the proposed mathematical model. A heat balance equation for the installation was formulated over an infinitesimal time interval. Based on the solution to the resulting differential equation, the desired functional relationships were derived. Analysis of these relationships and their comparison with experimental data demonstrated that the developed mathematical model allows prediction of the coolant and indoor air temperatures with an accuracy ranging from 3.4% to 6.2%, depending on the installation parameters, environmental conditions, and room characteristics. The findings of this study will facilitate the determination of optimal heating installation parameters based on the required indoor temperature.
Modern cattle farms face a shortage of optimal integrated solutions for selecting the most efficient feed preparation and distribution technologies, as well as a lack of well-founded recommendations for their implementation. The study therefore aimed to develop recommendations for choosing the optimal cattle feed preparation and distribution technology based on the criterion of minimizing operating costs. The costs were calculated using technological charts of the continuous production line for feed preparation and distribution on farms with a population of up to 1,500 heads or more. Three technological options were considered: Option 1 – a basic machine configuration with a trailed mixer; Option 2 – a configuration with a robotic feed preparation unit; Option 3 – cattle feeding technology with a self- propelled mixer. The evaluation took into account the following parameters: machine brands, functions performed, number of units involved, mixer hopper capacity, number of animals serviced per equipment unit per cycle, dosing uniformity, installed power, type of power unit, and number of maintenance personnel. A mathematical model of the continuous feed preparation and distribution line for cattle farms was developed using Microsoft Excel. This model enabled the calculation of technical and economic indicators for feed preparation and distribution technologies based on technological charts. The technological chart of the feed preparation and distribution process used on dairy cattle farms encompasses operating costs, capital investments, and labor costs for all three basic feeding technologies. The lowest operating costs (direct costs) – 404.83 rubles per ton – were recorded for cattle feeding technology with a self-propelled mixer (Option 3). The proposed recommendations, along with the application software designed as a simulation system, will enable specialists to calculate the possible consequences of their decisions through direct computer interaction, analyze the results, and select the most suitable option for the facility being designed.
Following the modernization of the MPO-30R “Veles” grain cleaning machine, an expansion chamber was installed at the outlet of its pneumatic separation channel. As a result, the separator began operating in pre-cleaning, primary cleaning, and secondary cleaning modes, with the separation of the feed grain fraction occurring in the second aspiration system. A prototype of the upgraded machine was subsequently manufactured. This study aimed to evaluate the operational performance of the second aspiration system of the universal MPO-30R-01 “Veles” grain cleaning machine under real production conditions. The separator was installed as a pre-cleaning unit in the processing line of a grain cleaning and drying complex, with a seed-mode throughput capacity of up to 10 t/h. Agrotechnical evaluation of the second aspiration system was conducted during pre-cleaning of barley with a moisture content of 18.5% at a feed rate of 6.0 t/h. The initial material consisted of grain heap that had already undergone initial separation of light impurities in the pneumatic separation channel of the first aspiration system, as well as the removal of coarse and fine impurities on the corresponding screens. The results showed that when the MPO-30R-01 “Veles” machine with an expansion chamber was used in barley pre-cleaning mode, the feed grain sedimentation effect in the expansion chamber reached 97.3%. In the pneumatic separation channel of the second aspiration system, the light impurity separation effect was 61.7%, while the feed grain separation effect was 18.1%. Correspondingly, losses of sound grain to waste amounted to 0.002%, and losses of feed grain to waste amounted to 0.429%. The separated feed fraction, containing 78.30% feed grain and 13.23% sound grain, is suitable for use in animal feed preparation. The upgraded MPO-30R-01 “Veles” machine is recommended for use at post-harvest grain processing facilities as a universal grain cleaning unit.
The urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions neccessitates research into promising conceptual trends in alternative fuels, energy storage systems, and power sources for agricultural mobile machinery. This study presents a long-term forecast for the adoption of alternative energy in agricultural tractors, developed through an analysis of publications, patents, and expert opinions. Two development scenarios were modeled: a baseline scenario, which assumes the full elimination of greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with current policy targets, and a stagnation scenario, which envisions the continued predominance of conventional energy sources. For both scenarios, the costs of energy carriers, storage systems, and key components for alternative energy applications in tractors were estimated for the period from 2024 to 2050. Based on these estimates, the projected cost per motor- hour was calculated for tractors of traction classes 1.4, 3, and 5, operating on diesel fuel, rapeseed oil, compressed natural gas, battery electric systems, and hydrogen fuel cells. The findings indicate that, in the near future, the use of agricultural tractors of traction classes 1.4, 3, and 5 powered by natural gas-fueled internal combustion engines may become economically viable, provided that the challenges associated with integrating gas cylinder equipment onboard the tractor are effectively addressed. Promising research areas include enhancing the efficiency of internal combustion engines, reducing pollutant emissions, and developing infrastructure for the transfer and storage of natural gas at agricultural enterprises. Electric tractors also offer considerable application potential. Further research is needed to develop electric transmissions tailored to specific machinery operating modes, improve energy storage systems, advance power conversion and control technologies, and establish charging infrastructure. Additionally, research on upgrading engine fuel systems for operation on pure biofuels and on exhaust gas aftertreatment for nitrogen oxide reduction remains highly relevant.
Grain harvesting using the standing stripping method increases combine productivity by a factor of 1.4-1.6 while reducing fuel consumption by 30%. The efficiency of stripping-based grain harvesting can be further enhanced by adapting the combine harvester to operate with stripped grain heap. In particular, it is advisable to pre-separate free grain and direct it to the combine’s cleaning unit, bypassing the threshing unit altogether. This study aims to experimentally verify the hypothesis that the accelerator drum of the KZS-1218 combine can function as a separator. A stationary experimental unit was developed based on the accelerator drum. The experiment consisted of determining the proportion of free grain passing through the concave as a function of drum rotation speed (355, 527, and 700 rpm). A stripped heap of Moskovskaya 56 winter wheat with a moisture content of 12%, comprising 80% free grain, 10% straw particles, and 10% chaff, was used as the test material. Each experiment was replicated three times. The results showed that as the accelerator drum speed decreased, the proportion of grain passing through the concave openings increased from 88% to 97%. Thus, the hypothesis was experimentally confirmed. The findings indicate scope for further refinement of the design parameters.
Improving the energy efficiency of pre-sowing tillage has become an urgent priority in the context of rising input costs. The study aimed to experimentally determine the optimal operating parameters ( depth and speed) of the combined AKK-6 tillage implement to achieve maximum crop yield with minimal energy consumption. The AKK-6 combined tillage and seeding implement integrates tines, disk batteries, and a ring- spur roller. Field trials were conducted in 2025 in a forest-steppe zone on typical chernozem soil. A two-factor experimental design examined tillage depths of 20 and 25 cm and operating speeds of 8 and 10 km/h. Draft resistance was measured using a dynamometric hitch, fuel consumption was recorded with a Technoton on-board system, and the yield of Darja spring wheat was determined by direct combine harvesting. Tillage quality was assessed based on cloddiness, surface evenness, yield, and agrophysical properties. Statistical data processing was performed using Microsoft Excel and Python (SciPy and statsmodels libraries). The results showed that increasing tillage depth from 20 to 25 cm raised draft resistance by approximately 27% and fuel consumption by about 19%. Increasing operating speed from 8 to 10 km/h reduced specific fuel consumption by 7-9%; however, tillage quality deteriorated: cloddiness increased by 1.0-1.5 points, and surface evenness decreased by a factor of 1.5-1.7. The maximum yield of 44.2 dt/ha was achieved at a tillage depth of 25 cm and an operating speed of 8 km/h, which is 5.2% higher than the control treatment (20 cm and 8 km/h, respectively). Analysis of variance confirmed the highly significant effect of the tillage mode on the yield (F = 103.71; p < 0.001). To reduce energy intensity and increase spring wheat productivity on typical chernozem soils, the AKK-6 combined implement is recommended for pre-sowing tillage at a depth of 24-26 cm and a speed of 8-9 km/h.
The causes of emergency outages in rural power grids and their consequences must be considered when predicting probable damage from outages and selecting measures to improve the reliability of power supply to rural consumers. The study aimed to identify numerical indicators of both the frequency and the consequences of emergency outages in 0.4 kV rural power grids. Based on the analysis of statistical data on the number of emergency outages and their causes in 0.4 kV power grids of the Orel region, the authors calculated the following parameters: restoration time, power supply restoration time, interrupted power, and the number of de-energized connection points. The most frequent causes of outages were identified as damage in consumer networks (53%), blown fuses and unidentified causes (9-11% each), and wire clashing (6-7%). However, the significance of each cause varies depending on whether one considers the number of outages, the duration of power supply interruptions, restoration time, or interrupted power. Interrupted power and the number of de-energized points are directly related to the number of outages. Based on the calculated quantitative data, the following measures are recommended to improve the reliability of power supply to 0.4 kV rural power grids: improving the configuration of power grids; sectionalizing power lines; equipping power grids with means for monitoring operating mode parameters; replacing bare wires with insulated ones. This study addresses the problem of identifying the number and consequences of emergency outages in 0.4 kV rural power grids as part of analyzing the operational efficiency of power supply systems for rural consumers
The properties of a friction coating for machine parts obtained through thermomechanical and diffusion processes can be predicted by establishing a correlation between morphology parameters, elemental distribution, and coating synthesis conditions. To investigate the relationship among these factors, the authors examined the structure and composition of a copper-aluminum coating synthesized by in situ friction cladding on steel substrates. Surface and cross-sectional morphology were studied using scanning electron microscopy ( SEM) in backscattered electron mode. Fractal analysis employing the grid method was performed to quantitatively characterize the complex crack system. The depth distribution of Cu, Al, and O, as well as the layer thickness, were determined by Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy ( RBS). The obtained copper-aluminum coating exhibits a pronounced multilevel structure. RBS data confirmed the formation of a multilayer system comprising a surface Al₂O₃ oxide film (~5-15 nm), an aluminum-enriched layer with a copper gradient, a transition diffusion zone, and a copper substrate. SEM analysis revealed scale-invariant defect organization, ranging from mosaic polygonization (20-80 μm) to an ultrafine-grained substructure (0.5-2 μm), along with the presence of oxide inclusions (50-200 nm). The fractal dimension of the crack network, measured at 1.917 ± 0.076, indicates a high degree of self-similarity over a scale range of 10-300 μm. The defect density at the micro level reaches 45.7%. Crack formation arises from the combined effect of thermomechanical stresses and the brittleness of intermetallic phases generated under conditions of active interdiffusion. Concurrently, frictional heating activates surface oxidation. Elucidating the fundamental relationship between the parameters of the friction process, the fractal nature of defects, and the coating composition will enable the targeted tailoring of properties in bimetallic systems.
A significant advantage of using complex gauges for inspecting the geometric parameters of keyway joint components is the substantial reduction in inspection labor intensity. However, the primary challenge in their application lies in designing a set comprising a complex plug gauge and a prism gauge, accounting for the standardized values of the controlled parameters of the joint, as well as ensuring their regular reproduction as wear occurs. The study aimed to design a set of complex gauges for inspecting the dimensions and geometric parameters of a shaft with a keyway and a coupling bore with a keyway. The gauges were required to ensure the assemblability of the shaft connection with a chain coupling installed on the universal reduction gear N090.40.000 manufactured by the Mosselmash plant. The theoretical foundation of the research included regulatory documents governing tolerance requirements for the controlled parameters and the dimensions of complex gauges. The methodology employed an integrated approach that included analysis of technical documentation, computational and theoretical methods, and gauge design. The calculations established that, with manufacturing tolerance taken into account, the thickness of the control key in both the plug gauge and the prism gauge is 13.995⁻⁰·⁰⁰⁵ mm. The plug gauge for controlling the minimum internal dimension of the coupling measures 49.995⁻⁰·⁰⁴ mm. The go plug gauge, accounting for the height of the control key, measures 53.5⁻⁰·²⁵ mm. For controlling the limit dimensions of worn gauges, the minimum limit size of the control key thickness for both the plug gauge and the prism gauge is 13.985 mm, while the minimum limit size of the diameter of the worn plug gauge is 49.982 mm. Inspection during verification ( calibration) of the established dimensions of the plug gauge and the prism gauge in service will timely detect their wear. The use of the designed set of complex gauges will ensure high measurement accuracy and reliable assessment of the assemblability of the keyway joint between the reduction gear shaft and the chain coupling. The study results are applicable in mechanical engineering for the technical inspection of keyway joints.
Disinfection treatment of greenhouse soil helps eliminate pathogenic microflora and volatile organic compounds, thereby improving the quality of plant products. However, electrode-based soil heating and the effectiveness of its various configurations have not yet been sufficiently investigated. The study aims to determine the thermal efficiency indicators of electrode-based disinfection heating of a soil layer. Using computational models in COMSOL Multiphysics, the authors simulated electrode heating of soil samples with moisture contents of 5% and 20%, raising the average temperature from 20.7°C to 87.1°C. Electrodes of various geometries were employed: cylindrical rod electrodes, flat plate electrodes, and disc electrodes. The electric potential applied to the electrodes was ±150 V, with a heating duration of 60 seconds. The computational domain measured 800 mm in length, 400 mm in width, and 300 mm in depth; the heated soil sample itself had dimensions of 200 × 200 × 60 mm. Electrodes were immersed to a depth of 100 mm. Computational modeling was also performed for heating a soil sample with plate electrodes under electrical insulation conditions, varying the number of electrodes (2, 3, 8, 14) and their mutual arrangement. The study established relationships between the required potential difference for heating and the soil properties, electrode geometry, and electrode placement within the treated layer. The results indicate that disc electrodes provide the best temperature field uniformity in the heated sample due to the cylindrical configuration of electric potential lines between the electrodes. Improving the efficiency of direct disinfection heating devices can be achieved by reducing the distance between electrodes, increasing their number, and employing electrically insulating materials. Uniform heating of the soil volume and a high energy efficiency of 96.32% are attained when both the electrodes and the soil sample surfaces are fully insulated. The developed computational models enable the design of energy-efficient units that ensure direct, uniform electrical heating of the treated soil layer.
The high corrosion rate of electrical equipment in livestock facilities represents a critical operational challenge. To predict the residual service life of such equipment, it is necessary to account for the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide concentrations, as well as variations in temperature and humidity. The study aimed to develop a comprehensive mathematical model for predicting the electrochemical corrosion rate of current-carrying components (copper and aluminum) as a function of changing indoor climate parameters. The proposed model is based on a system of equations that integrates electrochemical, electrical, and thermal processes. For model verification, an experimental setup was employed comprising a climate chamber, a precision control system for temperature and humidity, a gas dispenser, and an OKA-T-H₂S-NH₃ gas analyzer. Validation of the model was performed by comparing calculated corrosion rate values with experimental data that were not used during model calibration. Input data for the model included the physicochemical properties of the materials and the corrosion rates of copper and aluminum obtained under varying conditions within the climate chamber: ammonia concentrations ranging from 0 to 50 ppm, hydrogen sulfide concentrations from 0 to 20 ppm, temperatures from 20 to 30°C, and relative humidity levels from 70 to 90%. The results established that increasing relative humidity from 70% to 90% leads to an increase in corrosion rate by a factor of 1.6 to 2.3, depending on the material and the composition of the gaseous environment. The corrosion rate of copper was found to be particularly sensitive to hydrogen sulfide concentration, with a reaction order of 0.85, while that of aluminum was most sensitive to ammonia concentration, with a reaction order of 0.72. At ammonia concentrations ranging from 0 to 50 ppm and a background hydrogen sulfide concentration of 10 ppm, the corrosion rate of copper increases from 0.11 to 0.26 mm/year, and that of aluminum increases from 0.105 to 0.225 mm/year. For hydrogen sulfide concentrations between 0 and 20 ppm, with a background ammonia concentration of 20 ppm, the corrosion rate of copper varies from 0.16 to 0.35 mm/year, while that of aluminum varies from 0.063 to 0.142 mm/year. A coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.92 indicates a high level of agreement between the model and experimental data. The developed model will enable the determination of residual service life of electrical equipment, the prediction of contact resistance increase, and the transition to a predictive maintenance system
Challenges facing the Russian agro-industrial sector call for new organizational and managerial models and the modernization of agricultural universities to synchronize with industry trends and improve the effectiveness of training scientific and pedagogical personnel. To systematize effective models of integration and determine the conditions for the effectiveness of agricultural consortia, the author conducted the existing models, contractual mechanisms, and role distribution in educational consortia of the “Agricultural University – Research Institute – Engineering Company – Agricultural Holding” format. The research methodology was based on a comparative study of specific cases and content analysis of open data. This approach made it possible to analyze the experience of nine leading agricultural universities in the Russian Federation. These included the Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy, Kuban State Agrarian University, and Ural State Agrarian University. As a result, the study systematized more than 40 specific partnerships with enterprises and 15 specialized research institutes. As a result, a typology of key integration models was identified and described in detail, such as “systemic human resource partnership,” “export-innovation,” and “technocratic model of deep material and technical integration.” Each of these models is illustrated with specific case studies – from agricultural classes in Ethiopia (Kuban State Agrarian University) and a five-year breeding research program (Ural State Agrarian University) to industrial trials of a university-developed biofungicide in the fields of the Progress agroholding company. The paper examines contractual mechanisms and role distribution within consortia, demonstrates the catalyzing role of government programs (e.g., Priority 2030), and proves that such alliances are transformed from local initiatives into sustainable ecosystems that directly influence the predictable socio-economic development of rural areas.
