Agrotechnical and Energy Performance of Tillage Tools

Introduction. One of the areas of agricultural production is crop production. At the same time, it is necessary to take into account all available possibilities of reducing the energy consumption and labor required for tillage operations that can be achieved by using energy efficient tillage tools. Materials and Methods. In the course of the research, an agrotechnical and energy assessment of the technological process of soil cultivation performed by tillage tools was carried out. The agrotechnical assessment includes identifying the indicators of unevenness of the tillage tool travel depth, soil pulverization, ridging, and the content of erosion threatening particles. As an energy assessment, the indicator of draught created by a tillage tool was taken. The researches were carried out for various configurations of the chisel cultivators with flat and curved hoes, and elements made of polymer. Results. The data of agricultural assessment and draught of chisel cultivators were obtained for various agricultural backgrounds: winter wheat stubble with preliminary disking in one track, winter barley stubble with preliminary disking in one track, and autumn fallow on the background. Discussion and Conclusion. According to the results of the research, it was found that, in terms of quality indicators, the tillage tools meet the agrotechnical requirements for a given processing depth of 25–35 cm. The operation of the chisel equipped with a curved hoe is characterized by the highest presence of clods up to 5 cm (91–96%). The ridge height was 6.8–8.0 cm for all tillage tools. It has been established that the tillage tools are advisable to be uses for anti-erosion soil cultivation. In terms of preserving plant and crop residues, a chisel with a curved hoe providing their content by 9.5–28.6% more than with a polymer of 13.2–14.3%. The chisel with polymer has the smallest draught of 7.6 kN, which is 18.28% lower in comparison with tillage tools equipped with a flat hoe.

Download Full-text

Energy assessment of different cooling technologies in Ti-6Al-4V milling

The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology ◽

10.1007/s00170-020-06575-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 112 (11-12) ◽

pp. 3279-3306

Author(s):

Paolo Albertelli ◽

Michele Monno

Keyword(s):

Energy Performance ◽

Primary Energy ◽

Cryogenic Cooling ◽

Model Parameters ◽

Tribological Behaviour ◽

Dry Cutting ◽

Sustainable Solutions ◽

Energy Assessment ◽

Energy Models ◽

Conventional Cooling

AbstractManufacturing craves for more sustainable solutions for machining heat-resistant alloys. In this paper, an assessment of different cooling lubrication approaches for Ti6Al4V milling was carried out. Cryogenic cutting (liquid nitrogen) and conventional cooling (oil-based fluid) were assessed with respect to dry cutting. To study the effects of the main relevant process parameters, proper energy models were developed, validated and then used for comparing the analysed cooling lubrication strategies. The model parameters were identified exploiting data from specifically conceived experiments. The power assessment was carried out considering different perspectives, with a bottom-up approach. Indeed, it was found that cryogenic cooling, thanks to a better tribological behaviour, is less energy demanding (at least 25%) than dry and conventional cutting. If the spindle power is considered, lower saving percentages can be expected. Cryogenic cooling showed its best energy performance (from 3 to 11 times) with respect to conventional cutting if the machine tool perspective is analysed. Considering even the primary energy required for producing the cutting fluids, the assessment showed that cryogenic cooling requires up to 19 times the energy required for conventional cutting.

Download Full-text

Renovation of Public Lighting Systems in Cultural Landscapes: Lighting and Energy Performance and Their Impact on Nightscapes

Energies ◽

10.3390/en14020509 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (2) ◽

pp. 509

Author(s):

Lodovica Valetti ◽

Francesca Floris ◽

Anna Pellegrino

Keyword(s):

Energy Efficient ◽

Flux Distribution ◽

Cultural Landscapes ◽

Energy Performance ◽

Luminous Flux ◽

Landscape Value ◽

Reduce Energy Consumption ◽

Lighting Systems ◽

The Impact ◽

Positive Effect

The technological innovation in the field of lighting and the need to reduce energy consumption connected to public lighting are leading many municipalities to undertake the renewal of public lighting systems, by replacing the existing luminaires with LED technologies. This renovation process is usually aimed at increasing energy efficiency and reducing maintenance costs, whist improving the lighting performance. To achieve these results, the new luminaires are often characterised by a luminous flux distribution much more downward oriented, which may remarkably influence and alter the perception of the night image of the sites. In this study the implications of the renovation of public lighting systems in terms of lighting and energy performance as well as the effects relating to the alteration of the night image, in historical contexts characterized by significant landscape value, are analysed. Results, along with demonstrating the positive effect that more sustainable and energy efficient lighting systems may have on the lighting performance and energy consumptions of public lighting systems, evidences the impact they may have on the alteration of the nocturnal image.

Download Full-text

How Profitable and Energy-Efficient Is Nepal’s Crop Production? A Case Study of Spring Rice Production in Jhapa District

Journal of Biosystems Engineering ◽

10.1007/s42853-021-00085-y ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Padam Prasad Paudel ◽

Dharma Raj Pokhrel ◽

Sajan Koirala ◽

Lalan Baitha ◽

Dae Hyun Kim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Energy Efficient ◽

Crop Production ◽

Rice Production

Download Full-text

Impact of crop residue management on crop production and soil chemistry after seven years of crop rotation in temperate climate, loamy soils

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.4836 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 ◽

pp. e4836 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Marie-Pierre Hiel ◽

Sophie Barbieux ◽

Jérôme Pierreux ◽

Claire Olivier ◽

Guillaume Lobet ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Organic Carbon ◽

Crop Production ◽

Crop Residue ◽

Crop Residues ◽

Conventional Tillage ◽

Residue Management ◽

Temperate Climate ◽

Reduced Tillage ◽

Crop Residue Management ◽

The Impact

Society is increasingly demanding a more sustainable management of agro-ecosystems in a context of climate change and an ever growing global population. The fate of crop residues is one of the important management aspects under debate, since it represents an unneglectable quantity of organic matter which can be kept in or removed from the agro-ecosystem. The topic of residue management is not new, but the need for global conclusion on the impact of crop residue management on the agro-ecosystem linked to local pedo-climatic conditions has become apparent with an increasing amount of studies showing a diversity of conclusions. This study specifically focusses on temperate climate and loamy soil using a seven-year data set. Between 2008 and 2016, we compared four contrasting residue management strategies differing in the amount of crop residues returned to the soil (incorporation vs. exportation of residues) and in the type of tillage (reduced tillage (10 cm depth) vs. conventional tillage (ploughing at 25 cm depth)) in a field experiment. We assessed the impact of the crop residue management on crop production (three crops—winter wheat, faba bean and maize—cultivated over six cropping seasons), soil organic carbon content, nitrate (${\mathrm{NO}}_{3}^{-}$), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) soil content and uptake by the crops. The main differences came primarily from the tillage practice and less from the restitution or removal of residues. All years and crops combined, conventional tillage resulted in a yield advantage of 3.4% as compared to reduced tillage, which can be partly explained by a lower germination rate observed under reduced tillage, especially during drier years. On average, only small differences were observed for total organic carbon (TOC) content of the soil, but reduced tillage resulted in a very clear stratification of TOC and also of P and K content as compared to conventional tillage. We observed no effect of residue management on the ${\mathrm{NO}}_{3}^{-}$ content, since the effect of fertilization dominated the effect of residue management. To confirm the results and enhance early tendencies, we believe that the experiment should be followed up in the future to observe whether more consistent changes in the whole agro-ecosystem functioning are present on the long term when managing residues with contrasted strategies.

Download Full-text

Recommended angle of a modular dynamic façade in hot-arid climate: daylighting and energy simulation

Smart and Sustainable Built Environment ◽

10.1108/sasbe-04-2021-0075 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Author(s):

Seyedeh Samaneh Golzan ◽

Mina Pouyanmehr ◽

Hassan Sadeghi Naeini

Keyword(s):

Energy Consumption ◽

Energy Efficient ◽

Energy Performance ◽

Arid Climate ◽

Visual Comfort ◽

Building Envelopes ◽

Content Type ◽

Optimum Angle ◽

Energy Efficient Buildings ◽

Hot Arid Climate

PurposeThe modular dynamic façade (MDF) concept could be an approach in a comfort-centric design through proper integration with energy-efficient buildings. This study focuses on obtaining and/or calculating an efficient angle of the MDF, which would lead to the optimum performance in daylight availability and energy consumption in a single south-faced official space located in the hot-arid climate of Yazd, Iran.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology consists of three fundamental parts: (1) based on previous related studies, a diamond-based dynamic skin façade was applied to a south-faced office building in a hot-arid climate; (2) the daylighting and energy performance of the model were simulated annually; and (3) the data obtained from the simulation were compared to reach the optimum angle of the MDF.FindingsThe results showed that when the angle of the MDF openings was set at 30°, it could decrease energy consumption by 41.32% annually, while daylight simulation pointed that the space experienced the minimum possible glare at this angle. Therefore, the angle of 30° was established as the optimum angle, which could be the basis for future investment in responsive building envelopes.Originality/valueThis angular study simultaneously assesses the daylight availability, visual comfort and energy consumption on a MDF in a hot-arid climate.

Download Full-text

Irrigation.

10.1079/hc.34626997.20210027310 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Lynette Morgan

Keyword(s):

Fresh Water ◽

Agricultural Production ◽

Food Production ◽

Crop Production ◽

Cultivated Land ◽

Plant Life ◽

Total Food ◽

Global Issue ◽

Growing Medium ◽

Increasing Demand

Abstract Crop production in many regions has been reliant on irrigation for almost as long as man has been cultivating plant life. For 6000 years, irrigation has ranked among the most powerful tools of human advancement (Postel, 1999), and by the start of the 21st century no less than 75% of the world's fresh water was in use for agricultural production (Levy and Coleman, 2014). In 2012, twenty percent of total cultivated land was under irrigation, contributing forty percent of the total food production worldwide, this represented 275 million hectares under actual irrigation with a total of 324 million hectares equipped for irrigation (FAO, 2016). Irrigation, which can be defined as 'the artificial application of water to land, soil or other growing medium for the purposes of crop growth', has become a global issue in more recent times as the increasing demand for fresh water has seen problems develop with water scarcity, quality issues and conflict over usage.

Download Full-text

Comparison of the Effect of Perennial Energy Crops and Arable Crops on Earthworm Populations

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy9110675 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (11) ◽

pp. 675 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Feledyn-Szewczyk ◽

Radzikowski ◽

Stalenga ◽

Matyka

Keyword(s):

Winter Wheat ◽

Crop Production ◽

Crop Residues ◽

Production Systems ◽

Arable Land ◽

Energy Crops ◽

Integrated System ◽

Species Number ◽

Organic System ◽

Perennial Energy Crops

The purpose of the study was to compare earthworm communities under winter wheat in different crop production systems on arable land—organic (ORG), integrated (INT), conventional (CON), monoculture (MON)—and under perennial crops cultivated for energy purposes—willow (WIL), Virginia mallow (VIR), and miscanthus (MIS). Earthworm abundance, biomass, and species composition were assessed each spring and autumn in the years 2014–2016 using the method of soil blocks. The mean species number of earthworms was ordered in the following way: ORG > VIR > WIL > CON > INT > MIS > MON. Mean abundance of earthworms decreased in the following order: ORG > WIL > CON > VIR > INT > MIS > MON. There were significantly more species under winter wheat cultivated organically than under the integrated system (p = 0.045), miscanthus (p = 0.039), and wheat monoculture (p = 0.002). Earthworm abundance was significantly higher in the organic system compared to wheat monoculture (p = 0.001) and to miscanthus (p = 0.008). Among the tested energy crops, Virginia mallow created the best habitat for species richness and biomass due to the high amount of crop residues suitable for earthworms and was similar to the organic system. Differences in the composition of earthworm species in the soil under the compared agricultural systems were proven. Energy crops, except miscanthus, have been found to increase earthworm diversity, as they are good crops for landscape diversification.

Download Full-text

BIM and BEM Methodologies Integration in Energy-Efficient Buildings Using Experimental Design

Buildings ◽

10.3390/buildings11100491 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (10) ◽

pp. 491

Author(s):

Jorge González ◽

Carlos Alberto Pereira Soares ◽

Mohammad Najjar ◽

Assed N. Haddad

Keyword(s):

Experimental Design ◽

Energy Efficient ◽

Thermal Characteristics ◽

Energy Performance ◽

Building Envelope ◽

Climatic Zones ◽

Energy Efficient Buildings ◽

Energy Modelling ◽

Building Information ◽

Energetic Performance

Linking Building Information Modelling and Building Energy Modelling methodologies appear as a tool for the energy performance analysis of a dwelling, being able to build the physical model via Autodesk Revit and simulating the energy modeling with its complement Autodesk Insight. A residential two-story house was evaluated in five different locations within distinct climatic zones to reduce its electricity demand. Experimental Design is used as a methodological tool to define the possible arrangement of results emitted via Autodesk Insight that exhibits the minor electric demand, considering three variables: Lighting efficiency, Plug-Load Efficiency, and HVAC systems. The analysis concluded that while the higher the efficiency of lighting and applications, the lower the electric demand. In addition, the type of climate and thermal characteristics of the materials that conform to the building envelope have significant effects on the energetic performance. The adjustment of different energetic measures and its comparison with other climatic zones enable decision-makers to choose the best combination of variables for developing strategies to lower the electric demand towards energy-efficient buildings.

Download Full-text

Performance Evaluation of Cleanroom Environmental Systems

Journal of the IEST ◽

10.17764/jiet.46.1.326183248n101567 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 46 (1) ◽

pp. 66-73 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Tengfang Xu

Keyword(s):

Environmental Performance ◽

Energy Efficient ◽

The United States ◽

Energy Performance ◽

Contamination Control ◽

Performance Benchmarking ◽

Power Intensity ◽

Environmental Systems ◽

Measurement Results

This paper presents in-situ measurement results for energy and environmental performance of 13 cleanroom systems located in the United States, including key metrics for evaluating cleanroom air system performance and overall electric power intensity. Comparisons with IEST Recommended Practice IEST-RP-CC012.1: Considerations in Cleanroom Design are made to examine the performance of cleanroom air systems. Based on the results, the paper discusses likely opportunities for improving cleanroom energy efficiency while maintaining effective contamination control. The paper concludes that there are wide variations in energy performance of cleanroom environmental systems, and that performance benchmarking can serve as a vehicle to identify energy efficient cleanroom design practices and to highlight important issues in cleanroom operation and maintenance.

Download Full-text

On the Statistical Reflection of Long-Term Growth in Agricultural Production

Voprosy statistiki ◽

10.34023/2313-6383-2020-27-5-36-47 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 27 (5) ◽

pp. 36-47

Author(s):

D. S. Ternovsky ◽

V. Ya. Uzun

Keyword(s):

Theoretical Model ◽

Agricultural Production ◽

Crop Production ◽

Complex Structure ◽

Livestock Production ◽

Chain Indices ◽

Statistical Reflection ◽

The Relationship ◽

Constant Prices

The article presents the results of a study aimed at proving the existence of systematic error in traditional calculations of long-term growth rates of agricultural production based on chain indices of agricultural production. According to the authors, the article also introduces a more accurate assessment of its dynamics with the account to the structure of the relationship between prices and the volume of agricultural production. The paper describes a theoretical model that is a methodological basis for the study and explains the discrepancy in assessing the dynamics of agricultural production using chain indices and indexes at constant prices. It allows establishing differences in the ratios of the Laspeyres, Paasche, and Lowe indices for crop and livestock production, due to factors in the formation of demand and the complex structure of the relationship between the price level and the volume of production. The adequacy of the constructed theoretical model is proved based on aggregated data that eliminated the influence of incompleteness of the initial information. As a result, it was established that livestock production is characterized by time-distributed changes in prices and quantity of products, which makes it possible to assess its dynamics using both chain indices and symmetric indices. It is proved that the dynamics of crop production cannot be adequately described using chain indices, since a positive correlation of prices of the previous period and production volumes of the current period causes an overstatement of the index in comparable prices of the previous year. Based on calculations within the proposed aggregated model, it is proved that the use of constant prices as the Lowe index weights, updated every five years, is an acceptable approximation of the Fisher symmetric index. Application of the indicated methodology for calculating the index to the data on Russian agricultural production by main types of products in 1990-2018 allowed to establish an overstatement of dynamics by 11.9%. The main difference falls on crop production (+ 19.6%), while for livestock - the differences are insignificant (-0.7%).

Download Full-text