DISCRETE ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF THE CORN THRESHING AND SEPARATION PROCESS

This study focuses on the threshing device of a cross-axial flow drum and establishes a discrete element method (DEM) model to simulate the separation process of corn kernels within the device. The model reveals the motion behavior of corn kernels under different drum rotational speeds, feeding rates, and threshing gaps, as well as their spatial distribution along the axial direction of the drum. An orthogonal experimental design was employed to investigate the effects of various threshing parameters on the grain retention rate inside the device. The results indicate that drum rotational speed has the most significant influence on grain retention, followed by the feeding rate and the threshing gap. These findings provide an important theoretical basis for optimizing the threshing performance and improving the operational efficiency of the device. The optimal parameter combination was determined as follows: drum speed of 572.96 r/min, feeding rate of 1.5 kg/s, and threshing gap of 36 mm, which minimizes grain retention and ensures optimal operational performance. 摘