Tag Archives: energy consumption

xxx E.F.L. Cruz, R. O. Hernández, F.A. Damasceno, I.F.F. Tinôco, R.R. Andrade, J.A.C. do Nascimento, G. Rossi , V. Becciolini and M. Barbari
Energetic analysis in compost dairy barn: a case study in southeastern Brazil
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Energetic analysis in compost dairy barn: a case study in southeastern Brazil

E.F.L. Cruz¹*, R. O. Hernández¹², F.A. Damasceno³, I.F.F. Tinôco¹, R.R. Andrade⁴, J.A.C. do Nascimento¹, G. Rossi ⁵, V. Becciolini⁵* and M. Barbari⁵

¹Federal University of Viçosa, Engineering Department, BR36570-000 Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
²National University of Colombia, Department of Civil and Agricultural Engineering, CO11001 Bogotá, Colombia
³Federal University of Lavras, Engineering Department, BR37200-000 Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil
⁴Federal University of Goiás, Department of Biosystems Engineering, College of Agronomy, BR74690-900, Goiânia, Brazil
⁵University of Florence, Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry, Via San Bonaventura, 13, IT50145 Firenze, Italy
*Correspondence: erika.cruz@ufv.br; valentina.becciolini@unifi.it

Abstract:

Energy efficiency aims to optimize the energy consumption of the processes, activities, and machinery of the farm, ensuring the comfort, handling, and safety of the animals. The purpose of the study was to identify the energy consumption demanded by the activities performed at the Compost Dairy Barn facility, located in Itaguara, Minas Gerais, Brazil and to propose energy-saving alternatives, applying the Energy Audit Methodology described by the Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving (IDAE in Spanish) from Spain. The energy assessment at the facility allowed us to recognize unnecessary energy expenses in machinery uses, variations in milk production in relation to environmental conditions, waste disposal, and to propose improvement alternatives to reduce energy consumption expenses. Waste production data of 1577.7 kg per year was obtained, which corresponds to the bedding and feeding areas, and 175 kg of waste for the feeding area. Data on the temperature and humidity of the bedding area were collected to determine which of the five months of research is the most demanding in terms of energy. To maintain the animal’s welfare, tracing the times of substantial use of machinery (e.g., fans, tractors) at the facility and calculating Equivalent Temperature Index (ETI) was necessary. The highest percentage consumption of energy was represented by tractors in bedding maintenance and supply, by around 95.03%. The energy analysis of the farm showed a reduction in energy consumption of 45.03%, compared to the initial consumption percentages of the overall livestock activity.

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751-763 J. Olt, V. Bulgakov, O. Trokhaniak, M. Klendii, Ia. Gadzalo, M. Ptashnik and M. Tkachenko
Harrow with screw-type operating tools: optimisation of design and process parameters
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Harrow with screw-type operating tools: optimisation of design and process parameters

J. Olt¹*, V. Bulgakov², O. Trokhaniak², M. Klendii³, Ia. Gadzalo⁴, M. Ptashnik⁵ and M. Tkachenko⁵

¹Estonian University of Life Sciences, Institute of Forestry and Engineering, 56 Kreutzwaldi Str., EE51006 Tartu, Estonia
²National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, 15 Heroiv Oborony Str., UA03041 Kyiv, Ukraine
³Separated Subdivision of National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, Berezhany Agrotechnical Institute, 20 Academchna Str., Berezhanu, Ternopil region, UA 47501, Ukraine
⁴National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine, 9 Mykhailo Omelyanovych-Pavlenko Str., UA01010, Kyiv, Ukraine
⁵National Science Center, Institute of Agriculture of NAAS of Ukraine,
2-b Mashynobudivnykiv Str., Chabany vil., Kyiv-Sviatoshyn Dist., UA08162 Kyiv Region, Ukraine
*Correspondence: jyri.olt@emu.ee

Abstract:

A new design of the harrow with screw-type operating tools is presented in the paper. It describes the theoretical and experimental investigations carried out for the purpose of optimising the design and process parameters of the harrow with screw-type operating tools. Such optimisation will provide for improving the soil fertility, when burying chaff and other plant residues as organic fertilisers into the soil during its tillage. On the basis of the results obtained in the comprehensive experimental investigations, new regression relations have been generated. These relations provide for determining the proportion of the field surface, where the after harvesting residues have been completely buried in the soil with the harrow with screw-type operating tools. It has been established that the dominant effect on the relative amount of the field surface area S with completely worked-in plant residues is produced by the soil tillage depth h, then follows the factor of the screw-type operating device battery approach angle β. The pitch distance Т of the screw-type operating device has the smallest effect. The results of the completed research prove that increasing the pitch distance Т of the screw-type operating tool from 0.18 m to 0.26 m results in the decrease in the area S of the field surface with the plant residues buried in the soil by 1.4%. An increase in the approach angle β from 20° to 40° results in the increase in the field surface area S with the plant residues completely worked into the soil by 5.6%. Increasing the soil tillage depth from 0.08 m to 0.12 m results in the increase in the above-mentioned surface S by 7.1%. The simultaneous action of the factors of the tillage depth h and the approach angle β results in the percentage of the surface S rising from 72% to 82%.

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1080–1088 J. Kreicbergs and A. Grislis
Periodic polynomial regression analysis of urban driving characteristics
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Periodic polynomial regression analysis of urban driving characteristics

J. Kreicbergs and A. Grislis*

Riga Technical University, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Transport and Aeronautics, Department of Automotive Engineering, 1 Kalku Str., LV1658 Riga, Latvia
*Correspondence: juris.kreicbergs@rtu.lv

Abstract:

Urban driving characteristics with a focus on energy consumption have been tested in Riga on three main city streets with inflexible coordinated traffic lights control. The aim of this article is to investigate periodic polynomial regression analysis method to analyse car urban driving parameters’ change during weekday twenty-four hours to assess the influence of vehicle technologies on energy consumption in city driving, to map the energy demand on Riga city main street sections and to evaluate the traffic lights control on flow energetic characteristics. The tests have been done using GPS and OBD data loggers on a test car repetitively driven along a pre-planned route at around-the-clock hours. A regression analysis using periodic polynomials was developed and applied to evaluate the traffic flow characteristics with a given time shift. It was concluded that using polynomial regression function, the polynomial order has to be at least seven although a visual conformation of good regression line to the measured data has to be checked especially with lower orders. To evaluate the traffic conditions at a given 20 minutes to one hour shift the application of regression function is limited for the periods with fast changing traffic flow, especially after the end of rush hours when the usability of regression line for the given data has to be checked individually for tested street sections.

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958-967 D. Berjoza, V. Pīrs and I. Jurgena
Investigation into the performance characteristics of electric automobiles by means of a data logger
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Investigation into the performance characteristics of electric automobiles by means of a data logger

D. Berjoza¹*, V. Pīrs¹ and I. Jurgena²*

¹Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Technical Faculty, Institute of Motor Vehicles, 5 J. Cakstes boulevard, LV-3001 Jelgava, Latvia
²University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Faculty of Economics and Social Development, Institute of Business and Management Science, 18 Svetes street LV-3001 Jelgava, Latvia
*Correspondence: dainis.berjoza@llu.lv; inara.jurgena@llu.lv

Abstract:

Fossil fuel deposits are constrained in the world. Various alternative energy sources are introduced in vehicles to limit the depletion of fossil fuel reserves and to reduce environmental pollution. One of the alternative energy sources is electricity. The use of electric automobiles has begun in the Baltic States too, yet accurate performance parameters of the automobiles, which could sometimes differ from the technical characteristics specified, are not always known. Road testing an electric automobile was performed using a data logger that recorded the battery’s voltage, current, temperature and the automobile’s speed. These parameters allowed computing changes in the electric automobile’s power output under various driving regimes, e.g. acceleration or braking. Road testing the electric automobile was done under two driving regimes – urban and non-urban – on a certain route. The experiment represented a full cycle road test, with the batteries fully charged, that lasted until the batteries were discharged to a minimum level, which was limited by the battery management system (BMS). The experiment identified the maximum current as well as the effectiveness of the regenerative braking system.

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297-306 P. Vaculik, M. Prikryl, J. Bradna and L. Libich
Energy consumption of milking pump controlled by frequency convertor during milking cycle
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Energy consumption of milking pump controlled by frequency convertor during milking cycle

P. Vaculik*, M. Prikryl, J. Bradna and L. Libich

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Technological Equipment of Buildings, Kamýcká 129, CZ165 21 Prague 6 – Suchdol, Czech Republic
*Correspondence: vaculik@tf.czu.cz

Abstract:

The article deals with selected parameters affecting the energy consumption of a vacuum pump in a milking system during the whole milking cycle in variants with and without regulation by a frequency convertor. When put into practice, the latest research of creation, control and stabilization of vacuum in milking devices allows dairy farmers to obtain a vacuum system that ensures maximum stability of milking pressure, which is a basic requirement affecting the health of dairy cows. The choice of vacuum system prioritizes in particular high performance, maximum operational reliability, minimum maintenance, long service life, environmental friendliness and economy. The vacuum pump was a Roots vacuum pump with a rotary piston which is typical for this use. Use of a frequency convertor significantly affected the efficiency of this pump for control of vacuum pressure level and pump performance by varying the rotation frequency according to the actual airflow requirement. Using this control system, only as much vacuum pressure is produced as necessary. By measurement of an experimental setup, it was found that the average power requirement of a setup with a control valve was 3.8 kW compared to 1.7 kW in the case of the variant with frequency convertor. Measurements and calculations have shown that this system is capable of saving more than 50% of electric energy.

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952–963 D. Berjoza and I. Jurgena
Effects of change in the weight of electric vehicles on their performance characteristics
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Effects of change in the weight of electric vehicles on their performance characteristics

D. Berjoza¹* and I. Jurgena²*

¹Latvia University of Agriculture, Technical Faculty, Institute of Motor Vehicles, 5 J. Cakstes boulevard, LV-3001 Jelgava, Latvia
²Latvia University of Agriculture, Faculty of Economics and Social Development, Institute of Business and Management Science, 18 Svetes str., LV-3001 Jelgava, Latvia
*Correspondence: dainis.berjoza@llu.lv; inara.jurgena@llu.lv

Abstract:

One of the parameters of electric vehicles that can affect their dynamic and range characteristics is their weight. Converting a vehicle with an internal combustion engine into an electric one, it is possible to vary its batteries and their placement. It is also possible to choose batteries of various capacities for serial electric vehicles, for example, Tesla Model S. Not only the costs of electric vehicles but also such performance characteristics as dynamics and travel range per charge depend on the number of batteries and the total weight of the electric vehicles. The research developed and approbated an algorithm for calculating comparative parameters for electric automobiles. The algorithm was approbated on 30 electric automobiles of various makes. Energy consumption per km distance travelled shows the exploitation cost of an electric automobile. According to this indicator, the most economical electric automobiles were as follows: Renault Twizy (67.8 Wh km-1), Tazzari Zero (87.9 Wh km-1) un Renault Zoe ZE22 (93.6 Wh km-1).

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46-52 J. Čedík,, M. Pexa, R. Pražan, K. Kubín and J. Vondřička
Mulcher energy intensity measurement in dependence on performance
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Mulcher energy intensity measurement in dependence on performance

J. Čedík¹,*, M. Pexa¹, R. Pražan², K. Kubín² and J. Vondřička¹

¹Czech University of Life Sciences, Faculty of Engineering, Department for Quality and Dependability of Machines, Kamycka 129, 16521, Prague 6, Czech Republic
²Research Institute of Agricultural Engineering, p.r.i., Drnovská 507, 16101, Prague 6, Czech Republic *Correspondence: cedikj@tf.czu.cz

Abstract:

Conventional impact grass cutting and chopping is energy intensive and therefore it is important to reduce energy demands of such a device. In the paper the energy demands of three-rotor mulcher with vertical axis of rotation was measured and analyzed in dependence on the mass performance of the mulcher. Different mass performance was achieved by different ground speed and yield of the grass cover. The measurement was performed on clover-grass meadow hay, from which the samples were taken and analyzed in order to determine the yield and moisture content of the vegetation. The results showed relatively high energy demands of the mulcher. In dependence on the mass performance of the mulcher it is necessary to deliver in average 10.4–22.6 kW m-1 of the width of the machine. Specific energy consumption varied in average from 3.35 to 6.34 kWh t-1 of the processed material and unit fuel consumption varied in average from 2.56 to 0.94 kg t-1.

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81-94 T. Jokiniemi, S. Jaakkola, M. Turunen and J. Ahokas
Energy consumption in different grain preservation methods
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Energy consumption in different grain preservation methods

T. Jokiniemi*, S. Jaakkola, M. Turunen and J. Ahokas

University of Helsinki, Department of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 28, 00014, University of Helsinki, Finland;
*Correspondence: tapani.jokiniemi@helsinki.fi

Abstract:

The energy consumption of hot air drying and alternative feed grain preservation methods was examined. Alternative methods were airtight preservation, acid preservation and grain crimping. The results indicate that significant energy savings can be achieved by using any of these methods instead of hot air dying for preservation of home-grown grain used for animal feeding. Remarkable differences in the energy consumption between the alternative methods were also found. Grain crimping showed the lowest energy consumption, but the effect of the used additive and especially the storage system was large. A suitable option for different farm animal species can be found among these methods, and the limitations, when they exist, are set rather by the feeding technology than the nutritive value of the preserved grain.

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195-204 M. Rajaniemi and J. Ahokas
A case study of energy consumption measurement system in broiler production
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A case study of energy consumption measurement system in broiler production

M. Rajaniemi and J. Ahokas

Department of Agrotechnology, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 28, 00014 Helsinki,
Finland

Abstract:

Energy savings in animal production have become increasingly important due to climate change and rising energy prices. In order to find potential savings, the energy consumption and its allocation inside the production systems must be known. The biggest energy input in broiler production is feed. To reduce this energy input the savings must be done in crop and feed production chain. This study focused on the direct energy consumption inside the broiler house. Ventilation, lighting, feeding and heating systems consume also a considerable large amount of energy. However, information of this energy consumption is incomplete, and variation between different locations, farms and broiler batches is large. In this study, the energy consumption of broiler production was measured in one insulated broiler house in Southern Finland. Energy consumption was measured from ventilation, lighting, feeding and heating during broiler batches. Also environmental factors, such as indoorand outdoor temperatures, carbon dioxide level and relative humidity were measured continuously, because they have an effect on energy consumption and the microclimate inside the building must be kept good. This data can also be used in calculations of ventilation heating demand. Energy consumption of ventilation, feeding and lighting were measured with current clamps. Clamps were located in the electrical center, and energy consumption was calculated from the measured current and voltage. Data was saved on a data logger. Heating energy was measured from the heating pipes. Energy consumption was calculated from the temperature difference of incoming and outgoing water and water flow rate. Measured data was uploaded from the data loggers after every broiler batch. Energy consumption was calculated for each broiler batch and per kg of slaughter weight.

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