DEM study of particle motion in novel high-speed seed metering device

This paper presents a numerical study on the motions of seed particles in a novel high-speed seed metering device based on the discrete element method. The effects of key parameters, including inlet velocity of particles, feeding rates and the angle of seed cleaning element, are investigated by a series of controlled numerical experiments. The results show that in the seed filling area of the device, a better match of particle velocity and the tangential linear velocity of the seeding plate can improve the seed filling performance. The number of particles remaining in the metering device is an important factor that affects the device performance. A large number of particles in the device results in more multiple seeding, and a small number causes more leakage seeding. Under the conditions of the seeding plate rotational speed at 194.5 rpm (corresponding to the high ground speed of 14 km/h), feeding rate at ~14 seeds/s can ensure that around 24 seed particles are maintained in the device which generates minimum leakage and multiple seeding. The studies of the effect of the seed cleaning element angle show that an appropriate angle (e.g., 30°) can effectively enhance the clearing ability, increase the uniform stability of particles backflow, and improve the seeding performance.