Analysis of the Separating Performance of a Card Cleaner for Pepper Harvester using EDEM Software

In this study, we determined optimal operating conditions for a card-cleaner type separating system installable in a pepper harvester. We conducted a factorial experiment with an apparatus imitating the separating system. A particle-behavior analysis model using EDEM software was also developed, and the analysis results were compared with the factorial experiment results to demonstrate its validity. With the analysis model validated, an analysis with differing slope angle and number of shafts in the separating system was performed to specify the optimal operating conditions. Upon comparing the factorial experiment and particle-behavior analysis results, the difference between separation ratios was approximately 1% and the difference between foreign material mixing ratios was under 3%, confirming that the analysis model setup was valid. The optimization results using the analysis model revealed that the optimal conditions, in which separation ratio is over 95% and foreign material mixing ratio is 20% or lower, are achieved when the slope angle is 15°, the number of shafts is increased by 2, and the rotation speed is 50 RPM.