After seeds are collected from the crops, they need to undergo a process of preparation first before any action is taken. This involves removal of chaff and any other plant remains from the seed. It necessitates proper drying levels to minimize moisture content for less chances of attack by micro-organisms. This exercise can judge the prudence of the source of the seeds. It is the machinery involved in the preparations which is termed as the seed cleaning equipment.
The machinery that are most widely used include air screeners, gravity tables, and cylinder separators among others. The list of crops commonly processed is endless but just to mention but a few such as maize, wheat, barley, beans, paddy etc. Due to the varieties of crop production it is quite difficult to have one single equipment that can do a good.
In choosing the type of equipment for seed cleaning consider things such as the capacity of the machine in removing the specific plant remains on the seeds and the size of the specific seeds to be prepared. A good machine is one that accepts a wide range of seed sizes and this is achieved through use of screens of various sizes. Such facilities minimize the costs of operation.
There are two terminologies involved in such machinery, that is, simple machine which has only one working part or two and a complex machine with several working parts. The most important part is the screen which depending on the manufacturer can have various sizes. Labeling of these machines simplifies the initial stages of the processing by specifying the size of the screen since the native seeds vary in size. There are some machines that are mobile and some that are stationery in the design each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages.
The machine operation is affected by the changes in width, length and thickness of the seeds. It is also influenced by the aerodynamic properties, surface conditions, the shape of the seed and its specific weight.
This machine usually has a low cost initial investment. The costs associated with the maintenance are economical with various parts replaced easily with little efforts. In some instances, the spare parts are availed for replacement of the deteriorated ones.
Simple and effective techniques are employed in removing the unwanted materials while retaining the valid ones. This is a measure of the efficiency of the process and such like materials as dust and non-vital seeds are also isolated. The most common methods applied involve different ways of threshing and sorting seeds by the use of screens and airflow.
Airflow is an unavoidable technology in this case. While the seeds may appear normal by inspection, not all can be useful at all. Some may be light in weight due to immature harvest, under development or as a result of predators feeding on them. The light-weight seeds will not be able to separate by use of screens but instead by airflow either through winnowing or aspiration. Winnowing is a process by which air flowing in a horizontal direction separates heavy particles from light while in aspiration air flows in a vertical direction suspending the particles in a column. The clean heavy seeds are collected separately and packed for storage whereas the light-weight is discarded.
Ultimately, it is important to note that the process can be harmful to human health and use of safety attire like dust masks, heavy boots, leather gloves is recommended. Plastic tubes and other containers of different sizes may also be used. Good ventilation is also required.
The machinery that are most widely used include air screeners, gravity tables, and cylinder separators among others. The list of crops commonly processed is endless but just to mention but a few such as maize, wheat, barley, beans, paddy etc. Due to the varieties of crop production it is quite difficult to have one single equipment that can do a good.
In choosing the type of equipment for seed cleaning consider things such as the capacity of the machine in removing the specific plant remains on the seeds and the size of the specific seeds to be prepared. A good machine is one that accepts a wide range of seed sizes and this is achieved through use of screens of various sizes. Such facilities minimize the costs of operation.
There are two terminologies involved in such machinery, that is, simple machine which has only one working part or two and a complex machine with several working parts. The most important part is the screen which depending on the manufacturer can have various sizes. Labeling of these machines simplifies the initial stages of the processing by specifying the size of the screen since the native seeds vary in size. There are some machines that are mobile and some that are stationery in the design each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages.
The machine operation is affected by the changes in width, length and thickness of the seeds. It is also influenced by the aerodynamic properties, surface conditions, the shape of the seed and its specific weight.
This machine usually has a low cost initial investment. The costs associated with the maintenance are economical with various parts replaced easily with little efforts. In some instances, the spare parts are availed for replacement of the deteriorated ones.
Simple and effective techniques are employed in removing the unwanted materials while retaining the valid ones. This is a measure of the efficiency of the process and such like materials as dust and non-vital seeds are also isolated. The most common methods applied involve different ways of threshing and sorting seeds by the use of screens and airflow.
Airflow is an unavoidable technology in this case. While the seeds may appear normal by inspection, not all can be useful at all. Some may be light in weight due to immature harvest, under development or as a result of predators feeding on them. The light-weight seeds will not be able to separate by use of screens but instead by airflow either through winnowing or aspiration. Winnowing is a process by which air flowing in a horizontal direction separates heavy particles from light while in aspiration air flows in a vertical direction suspending the particles in a column. The clean heavy seeds are collected separately and packed for storage whereas the light-weight is discarded.
Ultimately, it is important to note that the process can be harmful to human health and use of safety attire like dust masks, heavy boots, leather gloves is recommended. Plastic tubes and other containers of different sizes may also be used. Good ventilation is also required.
0 comments:
Post a Comment