Producing the vacuum in modern drawn milking systems
¹Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Technological Equipment of Buildings, Kamýcká 129, 165 21 Prague 6-Suchdol, Czech Republic; *Correspondence: prikryl@tf.czu.cz
²PREDA CZ, s.r.o., U popovic 618, 393 01 Pelhřimov, Czech Republic
Abstract:
This paper deals with the measurement of the modern method of producing and regulating the vacuum in milking equipment which is currently in use. Individual measurements are primarily focused on evaluating the latest knowledge in the design, management and stabilization of the vacuum in modern milking systems. In the evaluation, emphasis was placed on economic efficiency with regard to energy consumption, environmental friendliness, high performance, operational reliability and ease of operation in the creation and control of the vacuum. The basic element of every milking system is the vacuum pump. This feature of the machine provides a vacuum for milking, milk transportation and for the activities of other devices whose task is, e.g., scanning the milking equipment or controlling movable barriers at milking parlours.
In this paper, a frequency converter was used, which is, used in milking technology for regulating and controlling the vacuum through changing the rotational speed of the vacuum pumps which do not require the use of centrifugal force to seal the working space to create a vacuum. The aim of the measurements using the above-mentioned inverter was to check the performance of the pump at different speeds and different vacuum levels to determine the actual air flow need over the milking cycle.
Key words:
frequency converter, milking system, milking unit, vacuum air pump, vacuum regulation, vacuum system