Desenvolvimento de um equipamento para estimativa de danos mecânicos em sementes em uma unidade de beneficiamento: estudo de caso em feijão.

Abstract

The mechanized seeding process from a seed processing facility (UBS) benefits from pre-cleaning, drying, cleaning, classifying, plague treatment and product packing, that provides for the correct storage conditions for further distribution. Nonetheless, a device designed to simulate the seed processing facility operations could determine processing damages from impact, friction, pressure, among others. We did a casestudy with carioca bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) that aimed to design such an electromechanical device capable of simulate and control the mechanical impact occurring on a seed processing facility with precise application velocity and exposure duration. A case-study was performed. The simulator device was designed at the Laboratory of Applied Instrumentation from the Food Engineering Academic Unit utilizing operational information from UBS specialists. The prototype composes of a homogenization mechanical structure powered by the traction provided by a threephase electric powered engine, and provides mechanical impact and seed mixing. The device has an engine electronic microprocessor controlled that controls the frequency inverter unit. Previous processing parameters such as variety, moisture content, temperature, shape, density, elasticity index, hardiness, breakage susceptibility, among others were used to adjust and regulate the device. From the results, we can conclude that the designed device is able to simulate with a 95% precision the damages occurring on a seed processing facility, addressed by the loss of physiologic quality of pinto bean seeds of SPF processed seeds in comparison with the ones assayed on our prototype.