Analytical determination of the parameters of the pneumatic system used to apply enriched hydrogel when planting potatoes under irrigation

Methodology for the theoretical determination of the parameters of the pneumatic system for the uniform distribution of fertilized hydrogel when planting potatoes under irrigation can reduces the number of watering operations. To determine the pneumatic system parameters, the authors took an example of the pneumatic system of a potato planter that can evenly distribute granules of hydrogel and fertilizers in the soil. The Bernoulli equation describing the continuity of a liquid of gas flow was taken as the theoretical basis for the determination of the parameters of the pneumatic system. Based on the obtained relationships, the authors determined the values of air velocities in various sections of the pneumatic system, found the dependencies of overpressure in the system, as well as the parameters of the injector and the radius of the nozzle for mixing fertilizer granules and hydrogel. To solve the obtained complex dependencies, use was made of a developed algorithm and the Mathcad software. It was established that the pneumatic system introducing hydrosorbent and a fertilizer mixture below the potato-planting furrow should make optimal pressure from 0.22 to 0.28 N/m³. In this case, the nozzle radius varies between 3∙10^-3 m and 3.5∙10^-3 m, the average value of the radius being 3.25∙10^-3 m. The obtained values can optimize the potato planter operation.

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