Diseño de un sistema de transporte neumático de dos etapas mixto para quinua con capacidad de 40 quintales hora.

Abstract

The lack of automation in post-harvest processes and the problem of low productivity of the agro industrial plants of quinoa in Chimborazo province for not having technologies to transport grains, motivated to carry out a design study of a transport system that fulfills with specific characteristics of grain picking from the dryer to a storage silo. The development of the project is aimed at designing a mixed two-stage pneumatic conveyor system for quinoa with a capacity of 40 quintals per hour of work: This involved the collection of necessary information to carry out a study of existing technological alternatives in the market and to select the more viable option that meet the requirements of the user, quality and production parameters. Subsequently, it was done a mechanical design of the elements that make up the transport system, making calculations that give parameters in the dimensioning of suction pipes, pressure, selection of air source, and the cyclone phase separation equipment. To validate the results gotten in the calculation, it was chosen the simulation system. Using Ansys software, through the module “fluent” could observe the phenomenon of diluted phase conveying of the grain in the stage of suction, separation and swing phase. In conclusion, the two-stage mixed pneumatic conveying system is suitable for the conveyance of quinoa because it allows the absorption from stacked places and the swing of the same to a place of storage and in this way getting labor savings, time production optimization, isolation of the product from human and guaranteeing the harmalessness of the product and positively impact on operator’s health. The implementation of accessories such as nozzles and discharge cyclones in the collection and deposition of the grain would facilitate the operation of the machinery and protect the grain from sudden shocks in the storage.