Theoretical and Experimental Verification of the Physical–Mechanical Properties of Organic Bone Meal Granular Fertilizers

• Published in: Agronomy
• Main Authors: Eglė Jotautienė, Vaidas Bivainis, Davut Karayel, Ramūnas Mieldažys
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2024-05-01
• Subjects: granular fertilizer; physical–mechanical properties; cylindrical form granules; DEM simulation
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/14/6/1171

Continuous efforts are being made to improve fertilizer efficiency by improving fertilizer technology, quality, and application rates. Granular organic fertilizers are more difficult to achieve uniform application because their physical–mechanical properties differ significantly from mineral fertilizers. The properties of granular organic fertilizers can best be determined experimentally. However, these studies are often quite complex. Modern engineering modeling software makes it possible to model the properties of granular fertilizers and their dispersion. This study deals with the theoretical and experimental verification of the physical–mechanical properties of organic bone meal granular fertilizer. For the verification of selected properties of bone meal granules, the following studies were carried out on the granules: determination of poured bulk density, static and dynamic angles of repose, static and dynamic friction coefficients of granule surface, etc. The results showed that for modeling fertilizer properties, it is sufficient to carry out a static compression test to determine the modulus of elasticity and a friction test between granules and the contacting surface to determine the static and dynamic friction coefficients. The remaining properties of the granules can be modeled and calibrated with the DEM software Altair EDEM 2023.