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Contributions to the Optimization of the Medicinal Plant Sorting Process into Size Classes

Author

Listed:
  • Mirabela Augustina Pruteanu

    (National Institute of Research—Development for Machines and Installations Designed for Agriculture and Food Industry—INMA Bucharest, 013813 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Nicoleta Ungureanu

    (Department of Biotechnical Systems, Faculty of Biotechnical Systems Engineering, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 006042 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Valentin Vlăduț

    (National Institute of Research—Development for Machines and Installations Designed for Agriculture and Food Industry—INMA Bucharest, 013813 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Mihai-Gabriel Matache

    (National Institute of Research—Development for Machines and Installations Designed for Agriculture and Food Industry—INMA Bucharest, 013813 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Mihaela Niţu

    (National Institute of Research—Development for Machines and Installations Designed for Agriculture and Food Industry—INMA Bucharest, 013813 Bucharest, Romania)

Abstract

This study aims to optimize and assess the quality of the sorting process into homogeneous size classes of dried and chopped medicinal plants, by obtaining multivariate regression functions of polytropic and polynomial forms. Assessment of sorting quality was carried out by calculating the average coefficient of separation. The influence of several important factors (material feed rate on the sieve, sieve dimensions, sieve inclination angle, sieve oscillation frequencies) on the sorting process was followed. Research was carried out on dried nettle herb ( Urtica dioica ) using a plant sorter with plane sieves, which allowed for modifying some constructive and functional parameters, making it possible to obtain optimal values. The results showed that the dry nettle herb chopped in bulk at 4 mm, with a moisture of 11.45%, was optimally sorted (index of average separation coefficient, 0.922) if the following parameters were met: drive mechanism speed n = 1000 rpm; sieve inclination angle α = 12.08°; material-specific flow q = 4 kg/dm·h; recommended sieve length L = 1.4 m. It was observed that at high rates, the average coefficient of separation decreased with the decrease in the sieve drive mechanism speed, and when the inclination angle of the sieve decreased, the average coefficient of separation increased. The maximum average deviation of the average separation coefficient was 5.5% for the polytropic function. The new advanced processing technologies of medicinal plants involve the short-term production of quality-finished products, thus supporting the processors of medicinal plants and the consumers of phytotherapeutic products with beneficial effects for health.

Suggested Citation

  • Mirabela Augustina Pruteanu & Nicoleta Ungureanu & Valentin Vlăduț & Mihai-Gabriel Matache & Mihaela Niţu, 2023. "Contributions to the Optimization of the Medicinal Plant Sorting Process into Size Classes," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-19, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:13:y:2023:i:3:p:645-:d:1092330
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Stanisław Konopka & Piotr Markowski & Zdzisław Kaliniewicz & Dariusz Jan Choszcz & Adam Józef Lipiński & Elżbieta Kusińska, 2018. "Optimization of the Separation Efficiency of Buckwheat Seeds and Wild Radish Siliques in a Grader with Indented Pockets," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-9, October.
    2. Weiquan Fang & Xinzhong Wang & Dianlei Han & Xuegeng Chen, 2022. "Review of Material Parameter Calibration Method," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-17, May.
    3. Shenghe Bai & Yanwei Yuan & Kang Niu & Liming Zhou & Bo Zhao & Liguo Wei & Lijing Liu & Shi Xiong & Zenglu Shi & Yihua Ma & Yuankun Zheng & Gaoyong Xing, 2022. "Simulation Parameter Calibration and Experimental Study of a Discrete Element Model of Cotton Precision Seed Metering," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-20, June.
    4. Stanisław Konopka & Dariusz Jan Choszcz & Piotr Markowski, 2017. "Optimization of the Separation Parameters and Indicators of Separation Efficiency of Buckwheat Seeds," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(11), pages 1-8, November.
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