Modeling the impact of compressed air on the surface layer of loamy soil

Soil loosening with compressed air is a promising technique. This technology offers two modes: surface layer treatment with and without ultrasonic vibration. The study aimed to quantify the impact intensity of compressed air jets on the soil surface. To assess intensity, the author used the following indicators: loosening coefficient, loosening area cross-section shape, loosening depth, maximum loosening area width, and the zone width of an air jet entry. The finite element method (FEM) was employed to model soil response to treatment, using parameters such as Young’s modulus, Poisson’s ratio, and the specific potential energy of soil particle destruction. This FEM analysis was implemented in LabVIEW software, simulating soil at its physical ripeness (16-23% moisture content) under receiver pressure drops of 0.2-0.5 MPa. Experiments revealed that inner loosening area sections varied based on the treatment mode (with or without ultrasonic vibration). Increasing receiver pressure consistently increased the loosening coefficient, loosening depth, and maximum loosening area width across all moisture content levels of the loamy soil tested. Within the specified moisture and pressure ranges (16-23% moisture, 0.2 to 0.5 MPa), the maximum loosening depth achieved was 5 cm, the maximum loosening width ranged from 2 to 5 cm, and the air jet entry zone width was 2 to 3 cm. A maximum loosening coefficient of 17% was observed at 16% moisture content and 0.5 MPa receiver discharge pressure. These findings will help determine the optimal placement of gas jet emitters in future designs, potentially eliminating the need for a deformer.

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