Comparison of computational fluid dynamics-based simulations and visualized seed trajectories in different seed tubes

Abstract

The objective of this study was to compare computational fluid dynamics (CFD)-based simulations and visualized seed trajectories in different seed tubes that can provide seed incorporation into the soil with enhanced seed spacing. The other objective was to determine the relation between the seed trajectories and peripheral speed of the vacuum disk. In order to meet the first objective, 2 different seeds (corn and cotton) and artificial spherical material (Ø10 mm) were tested under laboratory conditions. The seeds and artificial material were released by free fall into the semitransparent seed tubes (seed tubes A and B) from different release points, and their trajectories were recorded using a video camera. For the second objective, corn seeds were used and released from a vacuum-type metering unit equipped with a semitransparent seed tube (seed tube A) at 3 different peripheral speeds of the vacuum disk, as a function of 3 forward speeds of the seeder. For both objectives, the seed tubes were modeled and release of the seeds into the seed tubes was simulated and analyzed using ANSYS Fluent for CFD. The results obtained from the captured video and simulations were compared. As a result of the comparisons, it was found that the seed release point was an effective parameter on both the seed trajectory and seed spacing, since seed bouncing and skating in the seed tube, based on the release point, may occur. The results also showed that the lab tests and simulations were found to be very similar in terms of the seed trajectories and seed spacings. It is believed that this study, using CFD, will be an example and enable the development and design of new seed tubes in order to obtain better seed distribution uniformity.