Transport Performance Simulation of Separating System for Self-propelled Peanut Harvester using EDEM Software

This study evaluated a DEM (Discrete Element Method) model through test results and analysis results for the simulation of the conveying performance of the separating system in a peanut harvester. With the validated DEM model, analysis under three conditions of slope angle of separating system compare with horizon (-7 degrees, 0 degrees, and 7 degrees) was also conducted to examine the conveying performance. From the comparison between the test results and simulation results, the conveying performances of 0 degrees and 7 degrees were observed to be the same at the initial period and completion period; however, the gradient of 0 degrees and 7 degrees from the simulation were higher than the ones from the test by 8.9% (0 degrees) and 9.2% (7 degrees). The higher gradient means that the transport performance is better. The gradient of -7 degrees from the simulation was higher than the one from the test by 3.6%, and the amount of the peanuts from the simulation was larger than the test by 500 g at the initial period of 5 seconds. The higher gradient of the simulation was due to the losses at the collecting part as 3.4% (0 degrees), 3.1% (7 degrees), and 2.0% (-7 degrees). The error in the amount of the peanuts (500 g) at the initial period of 5 seconds with -7 degrees was due to the initial input difference between the test and simulation.