Gravimetric Characteristics and Frictional Properties of Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) Concerning the Threshing Machine Design

Abstract

The engineering properties of agricultural products are important in the design of suitable systems, machines, and structures for planting, harvesting, handling, and agro-processing. Engineering properties such as physical, mechanical, chemical, rheological, frictional, hydrodynamic, aerodynamic, and electrical properties are all inherent in agricultural products. Because of this unpredictability, it is difficult to design or develop machinery that can efficiently and effectively manage a wide range of product characteristics. In order to accomplish the objective of this study, which was to ascertain the impact of variation on the gravimetric characteristics and frictional parameters of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) with respect to the threshing machine design, experimental analysis and mathematical modeling were employed. Experimental results showed that the average mean value of length (9.848 ± 0.802 mm), width (6.316 ± 0.502 mm), thickness (4.962 ± 0.50 mm), arithmetic mean diameter (7.042 ± 0.473mm), geometric diameter (6.737 ± 0.463mm), equivalent diameter (8.565 ± 0.579mm), surface area seed (143.001 ± 2.963mm²), projected area (49.194 ± 6.715mm²), volume of the seed (161.689 ± 3.778mm³), sphericity (0.691 ± 0.040), bulk density (781.20 ± 25.34 kgm^-3), true density (1347.03 ± 143.0 kgm^-3), and porosity (41.385 ± 7.05%), respectively. The static coefficient of friction on the iron sheet surface varied from 0.276 to 0.386, on the stainless steel from 0.294 to 0.435, on the galvanized iron from 0.317 to 0.434, on the medium density fiberboard from 0.321 to 0.451, on the aluminum from 0.319 to 0.480, on the painted sheet from 0.310 to 0.470, on the glass from 0.320 to 0.440, on the plastic from 0.333 to 0.447, and on the rubber from 0.374 to 0.575 as the moisture content varies in dry basis. The maximum static coefficients of friction were noticed on perforated sheet surfaces, followed by rubber, plastic, plywood, glass, aluminium, galvanised iron, painted sheet, stainless steel, and iron sheet surfaces. These data are needed to establish a convenient reference to develop equipment for handling, cleaning, storing, transporting, drying, and other processes, as well as for predicting loads in agricultural storage structures.