Integration of a cob separation system into a biomass harvesting combine

<p>Before the invention of a combine harvester, corn was picked on the ear and threshed later. This led to an availability of corn cobs and many uses were found. A renewed interest in the heat/energy value of the cob has increased the focus on harvesting corn cobs. A corn cob separation system was developed and installed on a single pass biomass harvesting combine. The system included a blower and two fans and the combine was capable of harvesting grain only, grain and stover, and grain and cobs. The cob separation system was evaluated using a stationary test with earcorn and stover bales with minimal field testing to validate the lab tests. The stationary tests evaluated 5 different separation zone configurations, 2 blower speeds, and 2 fan speeds. Cob purity averaged 71% and the collection efficiency averaged 84% with fan power consumption of 20 and 36 kW and blower power consumption of 3.1 and 5.3 kW. Field tests showed cob purity averages of 84% while the collection efficiency averaged 76%.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

thesis

Department dc:contributor.department

Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (ENG)

Year dc:date.issued

2010

Author dc:creator

• Johnson, Jeremiah

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Stuart J. Birrell

Language dc:language.iso

en

DOI

https://doi.org/10.31274/etd-180810-81

Identifier

archive/lib.dr.iastate.edu/etd/11241/

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dr.lib.iastate.edu:20.500.12876/25447