EXPERIMENTAL SUBSTANTIATION OF PARAMETERS OF ASPIRATION SEPARATOR OF SUNFLOWER SEEDS

Sunflower is the most important oilseed in many countries. Separation of the sunflower grain mixture by the difference of the aerodynamic characteristics of its components showed that the most perspective for the improvement of the quality and intensification is the process of its separation in the aspiration separator. A new design of an improved seed aspiration separator has been developed that carries out the technological process of separating the sunflower seeds using vibration processes. So, in the seed separator, the air flow of constant force through the sail elements leads to the imposition of forced vibrations on the central tube of the distributor of the supplied seeds, which leads to the creation of centrifugal forces in the sunflower seed feeding system. As a result of experimental studies, it was established that the rational speed of the air flow should be in the range 4.5-5.5 m.s(-1), the most rational length of the aspiration channel is 0.8 m, the diameter of the aspiration channel should be equal to 200 mm. The obtained results of the experimental research may be used for the development and designing of production prototypes of the aspiration separators of grain mixtures.