RESEARCH OF THE EFFICIENCY OF THE GRAIN RECEPTION LINE OPERATION FROM AUTO TRANSPORT AT THE PROCUREMENT PRODUCTION GRAIN ELEVATOR

The results of the study of the characteristics of the technological line for grain reception from auto transport at the procurement production grain elevator of LLC ―Agricultural Enterprise ―Vesna 21‖ are presented. In the process of research, the quantitative and qualitative composition, volumes and duration of the harvesting periods of early and late crops, the quantitative and qualitative composition and characteristics of auto transport delivering grain to the enterprise were determined; the most intensive supply of early and late crops, as well as the actual coefficients of daily irregularity of their supply by auto transport.It is shown that the enterprise in 2017-2019 traditionally received such early crops as wheat of 2-6 classes and rapeseed of the highest and 1st class. Late crops were represented by corn (3rd class and non-class) and soybeans (non-standard and extruded). The volumes of harvesting of the corn and wheat (main crops)for the indicated years correlated, respectively (%) 49.2:41.2; 60.1: 24.9 and 66.1:17.1, which indicates a tendency for a significant increase in the supply of late crops, especially corn grain. The ratio between early and late crops for 2017–2019 was 45:55, 24:76 and 20:80, respectively (%).The monthly grain flow to the grain elevator was rather irregular. Most of the grain was received from July to December, when the periods of harvesting of early and late crops coincide, and especially in the autumn months, in September, October and November, up to 32.9 %, less – in the off-season from January to June, to 12.3 %. All the same, a lot of grain in percentage terms was received in November 2017 and October 2018 – 32.9 % each.An analysis of the quantitative and qualitative composition of cars that delivered grain to the procurement and production elevator in 2017-2019 showed that the carrying capacity of the vehicles ranged from 3 ... 51 tons. In 2017, 80.9% of all grain received by the enterprise was delivered by 2771 vehicles (cars) with a carrying capacity of 20 ... 40 tons, which amounted to 82.4 % of their annual quantity. In 2018, these indicators were as follows – 87.2 % of grain was delivered by 84.5% of vehicles of the same carrying capacity, and in 2019 – 93.4 % of grain was delivered by 93.0 % of the same vehicles. In the years studied, there was a tendency to an increase in the share of more heavy-duty vehicles (35...40 t). However, the number of vehicles with a carrying capacity of more than 40 tons, delivering significant volumes of grain, has significantly decreased, which is associated with the legislative limitation of the vehicles weight. The optimal carrying capacity in terms of the ratio of the mass of the delivered grain: the number of vehicles, taking into account legal restrictions, can be recommended 35...40 tons.The main characteristics of the reception of an early and late crops at the procurement and production elevator, respectively, for 2017-2018 were the following values: the duration of the arrival of early crops, days - 126, 119 and 97, late – 142, 145 and 240; harvesting period of early crops, days – 73, 88 and 68, late crops – 86, 78 and 57; the most intensive supply of early crops, t/day – 8378, 596 and 1428, late crops 1966, 1576 and 1909; actual coefficients of grain reception irregularity by auto transport of early crops – 6.3; 2.2 and 3.6, late – 2.5, 2.4 and 2.9, which exceeds the standard values of 1.6 and should be taken into account when improving the operation of the grain reception line.

Mycotoxins Exposure of French Grain Elevator Workers: Biomonitoring and Airborne Measurements

It is now recognized that additional exposure to mycotoxins may occur through inhalation of contaminated dust at a workplace. The aim of this study was to characterize the multi-mycotoxin exposure of French grain elevator workers using biomonitoring and airborne measurements. Eighteen workers participated in the study. Personal airborne dust samples were analyzed for their mycotoxin concentrations. Workers provided multiple urine samples including pre-shift, post-shift and first morning urine samples or 24 h urine samples. Mycotoxin urinary biomarkers (aflatoxin B1, aflatoxin M1, ochratoxin A, ochratoxin α, deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, α-zearalenol, β-zearalenol, fumonisin B1, HT-2 toxin and T-2 toxin) were measured using a liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry method. Grain elevator workers were highly exposed to organic airborne dust (median 4.92 mg.m−3). DON, ZEN and FB1 were frequent contaminants in 54, 76 and 72% of air samples, respectively. The mycotoxin biomarkers quantified were DON (98%), ZEN (99%), α-ZEL (52%), β-ZEL (33%), OTA (76%), T-2 (4%) and HT-2 (4%). DON elimination profiles showed highest concentrations in samples collected after the end of the work shift and the urinary DON concentrations were significantly higher in post-shift than in pre-shift-samples (9.9 and 22.1 µg/L, respectively). ZEN and its metabolites concentrations did not vary according to the sampling time. However, the levels of α-/β-ZEL were consistent with an additional occupational exposure. These data provide valuable information on grain worker exposure to mycotoxins. They also highlight the usefulness of multi-mycotoxin methods in assessing external and internal exposures, which shed light on the extent and pathways of exposure occurring in occupational settings.

SIMULATION MODELLING AS A TOOL FOR RISK ANALYSIS AND DEVELOPMENT OF STRATEGY TO INCREASE REAL ESTATE INCOME

The purpose of th article is to substantiate the possibility of applying methods for assessing the effectiveness and risks of investing for the analysis of income in the strategic management of real property. Methodology. The methodical bases of sensitivity analysis and simulation modeling of cash flows of real property income are stated. Results. The critical factors of costs and revenues affecting net present value of total cash flow from grain elevator real property object have been revealed. It is evidenced that the most significant factors influencing the amount of cash flows are the volume of sales of grain elevator services, to a lesser extent the total costs and the lack of sensitivity of net present value to staff salary variations. Simulation modeling of the change in net present value due to the change of the most significant uncertain factors was performed, which confirmed the assumptions about the efficiency of the investigated real property. The key factors are the main services that generate net operating income and critical expenses. Namely, services: storage, drying, shipment by road and rail, costs: fuel for drying, electricity, fuel for transportation of grain, staff salaries. For each factor, the relevant limits of change were established (determined by experts taking into account the average annual growth rate of the indicator) and cash flow simulation was performed. Practical implications. Statistical analysis of the model's behavior under the influence of random factors shows that the most probable value of the net present value of cash flows will be positive, despite the simulation of a significant change (+/- 40%) in electricity and fuel consumption factors for grain transportation. The values of the simple and discounted payback period also confirm the efficiency of the elevator property functioning. The indicator of the stability level demonstrate the need of planning input cash flows sources to cover the output cash flows. Value/originality. The expected profitability of grain elevator real property is largely determined by the factor of the volume of basic services sales (storage, drying, shipment and transport of products). This creates the preconditions for the subsequent assessment of the value of grain elevator real property based on the methodology of the income approach.

Methods of determination of product energy intensity on the example of a grain elevator

Energy management is an independent type of professional activity aimed at achieving in the course of any business activity of an enterprise operating in market conditions, reducing costs by improving energy efficiency. Energy management includes a set of measures aimed at saving energy resources: monitoring of energy consumption and energy intensity of products, development of energy budgets, analysis of existing indicators as a basis for drawing up new budgets, development of energy policy, planning of new energy saving measures. This article describes the methodology for determining the energy intensity of products for industrial enterprises, namely energy intensity indicators. These values include: norms of consumption of heat and electricity per unit of industrial production, as well as norms of consumption of fuel and electricity for the supply of heat to the boiler plant of the enterprise. These numbers are indicators of energy efficiency that need to be calculated when implementing energy management systems at enterprises. They are the benchmarks by which the current state of energy efficiency is assessed and planned for the future, taking into account changes in output, implementation or dismantling of equipment, implementation of energy-saving measures, etc. The article shows the calculation of energy consumption of products by the example of a grain elevator.

Portable Wireless Yield Monitoring System on Conventional Rice Combine

A simple, portable, and rugged instrumentation system has been successfully developed and field demonstrated to monitor, measure, and record the harvested crop yield and selected machine field performance parameters from the typical rice combines in Malaysia. The complete system comprises of two ultrasonic sensors located at the combine header to measure the cutting width, microwave solid flow, and microwave moisture sensors at the combine clean grain auger to measure the flow rate and moisture content of the cleaned grains going into the grain tank, electromagnetic detector on the combine grain elevator drive shaft to monitor the grain elevator rotational speed, and lastly a DGPS receiver on the combine console roof to indicate the travel speed and geo-position in the field. All these measured parameters were made to display in-real time on the touch panel screen of the embedded system on-board the combine for the interest of the combine operator and also made to display in-real time on the monitor of the toughbook at the on-ground base station for the interest of the system controller. Static calibrations on the individual sensors showed excellent measurement linearity having R2 values within 0.8760 to 1.000 ranges. The wireless communication between the embedded system on-board the combine and the toughbook at the on-ground base station could be sustained to a maximum distance of 185 m apart. Site specific variability maps of crop yield, harvested grain moisture content, combine cutting width, combine traveling speed, combine field capacity, and combine field efficiency within the harvested area could be produced from the data obtained with the instrumentation system using a GIS software. Keywords: Grain harvesting, Paddy mechanization, Precision farming, Wireless data transmission, Yield monitoring.

Adequate Lubrication As the First (and Often Only) Line of Defense Against Dust Explosions in Grain Elevators

Finely divided solid materials (e.g., dusts and fines), when dispersed in the air, can fuel particularly violent and destructive explosions. In this paper we will discuss a case study involving a dust explosion in a grain elevator and how a careful bearing greasing policy could have avoided it. We present the most common conditions that lead to bearing overheating which can serve as the ignition source for a dust explosion. Additionally, we stress the need to raise awareness among operators about the wide variety of greases available, and given this wide variety, it is critical for facilities to ensure they use a grease with characteristics as close as possible as these recommended by the equipment manufacturer.