Decreasing grain processing breakage with a novel flexible threshing system: Multivariate optimization and wear investigation

Journal of Food Processing and PreservationVolume 46, Issue 8 e16794 ORIGINAL ARTICLE Decreasing grain processing breakage with a novel flexible threshing system: Multivariate optimization and wear investigation Yibo Li, Yibo Li orcid.org/0000-0003-1349-775X College of Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, ChinaSearch for more papers by this authorHongfei Fan, Hongfei Fan College of Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, ChinaSearch for more papers by this authorYang Xu, Corresponding Author Yang Xu xuyang@cau.edu.cn College of Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China Correspondence Yang Xu, College of Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China. Email: xuyang@cau.edu.cnSearch for more papers by this authorJianjun Jiang, Jianjun Jiang College of Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, ChinaSearch for more papers by this authorTao Cui, Tao Cui College of Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, ChinaSearch for more papers by this authorYuan Su, Yuan Su orcid.org/0000-0002-4140-3696 College of Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, ChinaSearch for more papers by this authorMengmeng Qiao, Mengmeng Qiao College of Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, ChinaSearch for more papers by this authorShaoyun Han, Shaoyun Han College of Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, ChinaSearch for more papers by this authorJun Qian, Jun Qian College of Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, ChinaSearch for more papers by this author Yibo Li, Yibo Li orcid.org/0000-0003-1349-775X College of Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, ChinaSearch for more papers by this authorHongfei Fan, Hongfei Fan College of Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, ChinaSearch for more papers by this authorYang Xu, Corresponding Author Yang Xu xuyang@cau.edu.cn College of Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China Correspondence Yang Xu, College of Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China. Email: xuyang@cau.edu.cnSearch for more papers by this authorJianjun Jiang, Jianjun Jiang College of Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, ChinaSearch for more papers by this authorTao Cui, Tao Cui College of Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, ChinaSearch for more papers by this authorYuan Su, Yuan Su orcid.org/0000-0002-4140-3696 College of Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, ChinaSearch for more papers by this authorMengmeng Qiao, Mengmeng Qiao College of Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, ChinaSearch for more papers by this authorShaoyun Han, Shaoyun Han College of Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, ChinaSearch for more papers by this authorJun Qian, Jun Qian College of Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, ChinaSearch for more papers by this author First published: 10 June 2022 https://doi.org/10.1111/jfpp.16794Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Abstract Decreasing grain processing breakage in traditional rigid threshing units is key to achieving mechanical harvesting with high quality. This work optimizes a novel flexible threshing system with ethylene propylene diene monomer composite nail teeth by a combined experiment—SEM approach. The grain breakage characteristics and parametric ranges under different variables in this system are analyzed. The effects of threshing time on the wear rate, macrostructure, and micromorphology of the rubber layer of ethylene propylene diene monomer composite nail teeth are examined. The results indicate that this system reduces the grain breakage rate in traditional threshing units by 45.96%. Grain breakage rates decrease first and then increase with increasing rotational speed and obliquity of the cylinder. Breakage rate is inversely proportional to concave clearance and positively proportional to feeding rate. The wear rate of the rubber layer decreases first and then increases as threshing time increases. Macroscopically, fine cracks distributed differently, laterally, and vertically evolve into divergent pits. Microscopically, fish-scale wearing marks change into faults with varying morphology. Practical applications Based on a self-made threshing system with ethylene propylene diene monomer composite nail teeth, the elastic collision and flexible threshing of corn during threshing are realized in this study. By optimizing the process parameters of the threshing system and analyzing the wear performance of the nail teeth, the breakage rates and non-threshing rates of grains in the traditional threshing system are reduced. These findings provide a basis for reducing the breakage and loss of agricultural products. CONFLICT OF INTEREST The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this study. Open Research DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT Research data are not shared. Volume46, Issue8August 2022e16794 RelatedInformation