Paulo Marcos de Barros Monteiro

Convective Drying Analysis of a Single Wheat Kernel Based on an Irreversible Thermodynamics Model

The application of irreversible thermodynamics offers a formal treatment for drying analysis that allows the evaluation of intra-particle or intra-medium temperature and moisture profiles, and enthalpy, liquid, and vapor fluxes. However, researchers have claimed that its implementation is complex. This work presents a simple methodology for modeling, solving, and validating the drying equations, as applied to wheat kernels, and for obtaining the inherent and usually unavailable transport coefficients. To clarify and simplify the ensuing physical analysis, a spherical shape and isotropy were assumed. Additionally, solutions obtained with both Dirichlet and convective boundary conditions were analyzed and compared against experimental data. The thermal and hydro-stresses depend heavily on internal vapor and liquid fluxes and on the respective drying evaporation fronts, all of which were evaluated and compared.

Efeitos de diferentes estratégias de controle no ambiente de armazenamento de grãos em regiões tropicais e subtropicais.

In this work, control strategies for grain aeration based on timer, thermostat and thermostat combined with humidistats were compared to the AERO controller. In spite of the simplicity of the first three strategies, they are widely used, resulting in reliable control and high acceptance by farmers. AERO was developed at the Federal University of Vicosa to spread and facilitate the use of more sophisticated strategies by farmers. This controller is based on real time data acquisition and process simulation. The results showed that aeration time, as well as final grain deterioration rates, temperatures and moisture contents were similar among the four strategies, when considering the best set-points of the three simple controllers. However, AERO resulted in a more effective control, cooling the grain mass more quickly and reducing temperature and moisture content oscillations during the aeration process. Another advantage of AERO is its capacity of automatically adjust its set-points according to the weather conditions of the region where the aeration system is operating.

Deposição e uniformidade de distribuição da calda de aplicação em plantas de café utilizando a pulverização eletrostática

In the scope of the application technology of pesticides, electrostatic spraying is a system commercially available, however, little used because there is some disagreement as to the efficiency of this system, so understanding this technology and its interactions with the plant become necessary. In this context, the aim of this study was to evaluate the electrostatic spraying on coffee as to the deposition efficiency and distribution uniformity of spray. We used an electrostatic sprayer, manufactured by Electrostatic Spraying Systems Co., model ESS MBP 4.0. The experiment was set on split plot design, (2x3x6), with two spraying systems (electrostatic system on and off), three parts of the plant (top, medium and bottom) and six positions of leaves collection, with four replications. As for the distribution uniformity of spray, it was observed there was more variability in the deposition when the electrostatic system remained on, with higher deposition in the outer canopy. The coefficients of variation for the electrostatic system on and off were 40.3 and 33.08%, respectively. The electrostatic spraying system was effective in coffee plants and increased spray deposition of 37% compared to when the electrostatic system was off.

Development of capacitive sensor for measuring soil water content

The irrigation management based on the monitoring of the soil water content allows for the minimization of the amount of water applied, making its use more efficient. Taking into account these aspects, in this work, a sensor for measuring the soil water content was developed to allow real time automation of irrigation systems. This way, problems affecting crop yielding such as irregularities in the time to turn on or turn off the pump, and excess or deficit of water can be solved. To develop the sensors were used stainless steel rods, resin, and insulating varnish. The sensors measuring circuit was based on a microcontroller, which gives its output signal in the digital format. The sensors were calibrated using soil of the type “Quartzarenic Neosoil”. A third order polynomial model was fitted to the experimental data between the values of water content corresponding to the field capacity and the wilting point to correlate the soil water content obtained by the oven standard method with those measured by the electronic circuit, with a coefficient of determination of 93.17%, and an accuracy in the measures of ±0.010 kg kg-1. Based on the results, it was concluded that the sensor and its implemented measuring circuit can be used in the automation process of irrigation systems.

Avaliação da transmissão de dados de temperatura no sistema 1-wireTM

A necessidade de sistemas de monitoramento automatico versateis e de baixo custo que possam auxiliar o produtor agricola na otimizacao dos processos produtivos, e evidente. Este trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de pesquisar as limitacoes e as potencialidades de aplicacao do sistema 1-wireTM na transmissao de dados de temperatura em instalacoes agricolas. O sistema 1-wireTM e uma rede de transmissao de dados que possibilita a comunicacao digital entre um computador e dispositivos da serie 1-wireTM, tais como os sensores de temperatura DS1820. A transmissao de dados de temperatura nesse sistema foi avaliada em funcao do tipo dos condutores e do numero de sensores DS1820. Com base nos resultados, concluiu-se que o aumento do numero de sensores de temperatura DS1820 no sistema 1-wireTM incrementa a carga capacitiva de maneira distinta para cada um dos tipos de condutores estudados, podendo causar interrupcoes na transmissao de dados.The need of versatile and low cost automatic monitoring systems for the optimization of the agricultural productive processes is evident. This work was carried out to evaluate the limitations and potentialities of the 1-wireTM system for temperature data transmission in agricultural buildings. The 1-wireTM system is a data transmission network, which makes possible the digital communication between a computer and devices of the 1-wireTM series, such as the temperature DS1820 sensors. The temperature data transmission in this system was evaluated as a function of types of conductors and the number of DS1820 sensors. Based on the results, it was concluded that, by increasing the number of the DS1820 temperature sensors in the 1-wireTM system, the capacitive load increases in a different way for each conductor and can cause interruptions during temperature data transmission.

Computer tools applied to analysis of solar water heaters

The simulation programs are important tools to analyze the different energetic alternatives, including the use of renewable energy. The objective of this study was to analyze comparatively the different computer tools available for modeling of solar water heaters. Among the main simulation software of solar thermal systems, there are: RETScreen International, EnergyPlus, TRNSYS, SolDesigner, SolarPro, e T*SOL. Among the tools mentioned, only EnergyPlus and RETScreen International are free, but they allow obtaining interesting results when applied together. The first one has a detailed module of energy analysis of solar water heaters, while the second one provides an detailed economic feasibility study and an assessment of emissions of greenhouse gases. RETScreen International and EnergyPlus programs are aimed at a diverse audience, including designers, researchers and energy planners.

Development and evaluation of a remotely controlled and monitored self-propelled sprayer in tomato crops

The tomato is one of the main crops in Brazil. In large-scale cultivation, pesticides are applied to the plant to prevent the direct or indirect action of animal or vegetable life, aiming at higher productivity and better quality fruit. However, the products, if used incorrectly, may affect the health of workers involved in the activity. A prototype of a self-propelled sprayer, remotely controlled and monitored via radio signals, was therefore developed to be used in tomato crops, thus minimising worker contact with the chemical substances used when spraying. The basic prototype comprises an agricultural mini-tractor, a motorised pneumatic sprayer (atomiser) and a set of electronic and mechanical sensors and actuators, which allow the assembly to be controlled remotely and images captured by a video camera to be viewed on a tablet. After development, the principal dimension, weight and operational characteristics of the prototype were identified; the prototype was also used for spraying ten tomato plants in the crop, with seven different points being observed for each plant. The results were analysed statistically, giving the following coefficients of variation: 15.13% for spray coverage, 18.70% for droplet density and 16.68% for product deposition on the folioles. Based on these values, it was concluded that the development of a remotely controlled and monitored self-propelled sprayer prototype, and its use in spraying tomato crops, were viable.

Reply to Comments: A Novel Low-Cost Instrumentation System for Measuring the Water Content and Apparent Electrical Conductivity of Soils, Sensors, 15, 25546–25563

In this article we respond to the comments made by Chavanne et al., who have questioned: (i) the name of the technique used; (ii) the ability of the system to determine both soil water content and salinity due to potential instrument biases and choice of sensor frequencies; and (iii) the procedure used to determine temperature effect on readings presented in the article “A Novel Low-Cost Instrumentation System for Measuring the Water Content and Apparent Electrical Conductivity of Soils” (Sensors 2015, 15, 25546–25563). We have carefully analyzed the arguments in the comment, and have concluded that they only partially affect the previous conclusions, as will be discussed in this reply. We show here that the findings and conclusions previously drawn are valid and supported by the many experiments previously conducted.

Application of methodology for the adequacy of the electrical motor's power sizing: permanent and transient analysis

The suitability of the motive force contributes to the efficient use of electrical energy. On the other hand, the inadequate size of electric motors is directly connected to increased investment and running costs. This article presents the theory and mainly the application of a methodology for the adequacy of the motive power. The research was conducted at the Federal University of Viçosa dairy factory. This methodology consists in measuring motor rotation, acquiring technical information from the manufacturer’s manual, and identifying the type of motor load. In addition, it uses the linearization method to estimate the resistance torque in steady state. This step is achieved without the need for using additional equipment or sending the motor to a laboratory for measuring the torque. In this sense, the studies can be made during the production process. Thus, this relevant methodology has the advantage of allowing the studies to be carried out at the agro-industry facilities. After getting all the information described above, it was possible to determine whether each motor at the factory was oversized. Then, the suitable motor was selected according to the load type. The application of the methodology described herein could provide around 50.6% savings in the monthly electricity costs at the dairy factory, and an attractive internal return rate.

The level control system in undergraduate teaching

Nowadays the dropout of engineering courses occurs almost in every university in the world. Over the past few years, active learning has been known by the education community as the most effective learning method. In this paper it is discussed the educational experience associated to the design and development of a low cost tank level control system to motivate students of Control and Automation Engineering, who enrolled in the subject of Applied Control to Thermal and Fluid Mechanics Systems from 2012 to 2013. The main objectives of learning and the resources used to achieve them as well as the results of the students evaluation of this experience will be detailed in this paper.