Investigation of the Grain Cleaning Process in a Flat-Sieve Separator

Authors

  • Serhii Stepanenko Institute of Mechanics and Automation of Agro-Industrial Production, National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine, Hlevakha, Ukraine https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8331-4632
  • Borys Kotov Institution of Higher Education "Podilskyi State University", Kamianets-Podilskyi, Ukraine https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6369-3025
  • Alvian Kuzmich Institute of Mechanics and Automation of Agro-industrial Production of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine, Hlevakha, Ukraine https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3102-0840
  • Viktor Shvydya Institute of Mechanics and Automatics of Agroindustrial Production of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine, Hlevakha, Ukraine
  • Viktor Dnes Institute of Mechanics and Automation of Agro-industrial Production of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine, Hlevakha, Ukraine https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4166-2276
  • Daryna Volyk Institute of Mechanics and Automation of Agro-Industrial Production, National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine, Hlevakha, Ukraine https://orcid.org/0009-0001-1979-861X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32515/2414-3820.2026.56.7-16

Keywords:

flat-sieve separator, aspiration chamber, cleaning efficiency, pneumatic separation, deposition of light impurities, grain damage

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to experimentally investigate the process of cleaning grain materials in a mobile flat-sieve separator equipped with an improved gravity-type aspiration chamber. The study focuses on identifying the relationships between machine capacity and the efficiency of grain cleaning from light impurities, the efficiency of their deposition in the aspiration chamber, and the level of grain damage. An additional objective is to obtain mathematical relationships suitable for the engineering justification of rational operating modes of grain cleaning equipment. The obtained results are intended to improve the technological efficiency of mobile grain cleaning machines while maintaining grain quality.

The paper presents the results of experimental studies of the grain cleaning process in a mobile flat-sieve separator with an improved aspiration chamber installed directly above the sieve decks. The proposed design of the aspiration unit ensures the combination of sieve and pneumatic cleaning methods within a single technological cycle without significant complication of the machine design or displacement of its center of mass. The experiments were conducted using a single-factor experimental scheme with variation of the separator capacity in the range of 0.4–9.6 t/h. The evaluation criteria included the efficiency of grain cleaning from light impurities, the efficiency of their deposition in the aspiration chamber, and the level of grain damage. Based on the experimental results, the obtained data were approximated using second-order polynomials, and regression equations describing the variation of the studied indicators as functions of machine capacity were derived. An analysis of the obtained relationships was performed, graphs were constructed, and zones of rational operating modes of the aspiration chamber were identified.

The study revealed that an increase in the capacity of the flat-sieve separator leads to a decrease in the overall efficiency of grain cleaning from light impurities, while the efficiency of their deposition exhibits an extremal character. The maximum deposition efficiency is achieved at a capacity of approximately 4 t/h, indicating the existence of a rational operating zone for the aspiration chamber. A steady increase in the level of grain damage with increasing capacity was also observed, which limits the potential for intensifying the cleaning process. The obtained regression relationships can be used to select optimal operating modes of mobile flat-sieve separators, taking into account the trade-off between productivity, cleaning efficiency, and preservation of grain quality.

Author Biographies

Serhii Stepanenko, Institute of Mechanics and Automation of Agro-Industrial Production, National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine, Hlevakha, Ukraine

Senior Researcher, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Head of the Department of Mechanical and Technological Problems of Harvesting and Post-Harvest Processing of Grain and Oilseed Crops

Borys Kotov, Institution of Higher Education "Podilskyi State University", Kamianets-Podilskyi, Ukraine

Professor, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor of the Department of Agricultural Engineering and Systems Engineering

Alvian Kuzmich, Institute of Mechanics and Automation of Agro-industrial Production of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine, Hlevakha, Ukraine

Senior Researcher, Candidate of Technical Sciences, Senior Research fellow of the Department of mechanical and technological problems of harvesting and post-harvest processing of grain and oilseed crops

Viktor Shvydya, Institute of Mechanics and Automatics of Agroindustrial Production of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine, Hlevakha, Ukraine

Senior Researcher, PhD of technical sciences (Candidate of Technical Sciences)

Viktor Dnes, Institute of Mechanics and Automation of Agro-industrial Production of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine, Hlevakha, Ukraine

Senior Researcher, Candidate of Technical Sciences, Head of the Department of Modeling of Technological Processes in Plant Growing

Daryna Volyk, Institute of Mechanics and Automation of Agro-Industrial Production, National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine, Hlevakha, Ukraine

PhD Student in Applied Mechanics, Department of Mechanical and Technological Problems of Harvesting and Post-Harvest Processing of Grain and Oilseed Crops

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Published

2026-06-30

How to Cite

Stepanenko, S., Kotov, B., Kuzmich, A., Shvydya, V., Dnes, V., & Volyk, D. (2026). Investigation of the Grain Cleaning Process in a Flat-Sieve Separator. National Interagency Scientific and Technical Collection of Works Design Production and Exploitation of Agricultural Machines, (56), 7–16. https://doi.org/10.32515/2414-3820.2026.56.7-16

Issue

No. 56 (2026): Design, Production and Exploitation of Agricultural Machines

Section

Engineering

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Serhii Stepanenko, Borys Kotov, Alvian Kuzmych, Viktor Shvydia, Viktor Dnes, Daryna Volyk

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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