Optimization of the Canola Harvester Blade Based on Energy Reduction Approach and Life Cycle Assessment

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Article-en

Authors

• Gh. Ahmadzade
• M. R. Maleki
• P. Salami
• K. Mollazade

Department of Biosystems Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran

10.22067/jam.2025.92546.1353

Abstract

Grain harvesting operations account for approximately 25-30% of total direct energy consumption in crop production systems. Developing appropriate blades for harvesting canola (Brassica napus L.) is crucial due to its distinct characteristics compared to other cereal grains. This study investigated the effects of blade angles (placement angles: 30°, 45°, and 60°; sharpness angles: 30°, 45°, and 60°), reciprocating movement speed (800, 1100, and 1400 courses per minute), and moisture levels (19%, 22%, and 24%) on reducing force, shear stress, and energy consumption during canola harvesting. Results showed that a blade sharpness angle of 30° yielded the lowest shear stress (0.175 N mm^-2) compared to 60° (0.303 N mm^-2). The 45° blade placement angle demonstrated minimum shear stress (0.177 N mm^-2) versus 60° (0.320 N mm^-2). Increasing moisture content from 19% to 24% reduced shear stress from 0.256 N mm^-2 to 0.200 N mm^-2. The highest reciprocating speed (1400 courses per minute) resulted in the lowest shear stress (0.167 N mm^-2) compared to 800 courses per minute (0.286 N mm^-2). Life cycle assessment revealed that varying blade placement angles (30° to 60°) could increase marine aquatic ecotoxicity by up to 55,762.55 kg dichlorobenzene equivalent, while changes in blade sharpness angles and reciprocating speed could lead to increases of 377,429.87 kg and 143,185.69 kg dichlorobenzene equivalent, respectively. The optimal configuration—comprising a sharpness angle of 30°, a placement angle of 45°, a moisture content of 24%, and a reciprocating speed of 1400 courses per minute—significantly reduced both shear energy and environmental impact.

Keywords

• Blade placement angle
• Blade sharpness angle
• Life cycle impact assessment
• Shear energy
• Shear stress

Main Subjects

• Design and Construction

©2025 The author(s). This is an open access article distributed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).

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