Experiment and analysis of the seed suction model for rice pneumatic seed metering device using DEM-CFD approach

Authors

  • He Xing 1. School of Information Technology&Engineering, Guangzhou College of Commerce, Guangzhou 511363, China 3. College of Engineering, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
  • Yuwan Wang 2. School of Modern Information Industry, Guangzhou College of Commerce, Guangzhou 511363, China
  • Yuanbing Chen 2. School of Modern Information Industry, Guangzhou College of Commerce, Guangzhou 511363, China
  • Ru Yang 2. School of Modern Information Industry, Guangzhou College of Commerce, Guangzhou 511363, China
  • Xizhu Bo 1. School of Information Technology&Engineering, Guangzhou College of Commerce, Guangzhou 511363, China
  • Ying Zang 3. College of Engineering, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25165/ijabe.v18i5.9422

Keywords:

rice seeding, seed metering device, seed suction model, agricultural machinery, DEM-CFD

Abstract

The model describing the forces acting on rice seeds within seed metering systems significantly impacts the design and structural parameters of rice pneumatic seed metering mechanisms. To formulate a mathematical representation of the device during seed suction, a DEM-CFD bidirectional coupling approach was utilized to simulate and model the seed-suction process. The dynamic behavior of rice seeds under the airflow at the suction port was examined, and force models for various seed-suction positions were developed. Simulation analyses were conducted under varying conditions, including different rotation speeds of the seed-suction plate and different levels of negative suction pressure. The effects of these variables on seed suction were investigated, leading to the development of a drag force model. Optimal seeding parameters and precision were determined from the simulation results. Verification and analysis were conducted through empirical experiments, and the optimal seeding performance was attained at a negative suction pressure of 1.6 kPa and a plate rotation speed of 30 r/min. The results indicated a seeding qualification rate of 95.7%, a reattachment rate of 2.4%, and a leakage suction rate of 1.9%. The simulation findings were consistent with experimental data, demonstrating that the seed-metering device satisfies the requirements for field seeding. Keywords: rice seeding, seed metering device, seed suction model, agricultural machinery, DEM-CFD DOI: 10.25165/j.ijabe.20251805.9422 Citation: Xing H, Wang Y W, Chen Y B, Yang R, Bo X Z, Zang Y. Experiment and analysis of seed suction model for rice pneumatic seed metering device using DEM-CFD approach. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2025; 18(5): 191–197.

References

Min H, Sheng L F, Fang B C, Jiang C, Shuang L S, Yu L, et al. Early sowing increases grain yield of machine-transplanted late-season rice under single-seed sowing. Field Crops Research, 2020; 253: 107832.

Ke L, Rui Y, Jun D, Li Y H, Zhong W W, Guo H M, et al. High radiation use efficiency improves yield in the recently developed elite hybrid rice Y-liangyou 900. Field Crops Research, 2020; 253: 107804.

Blümmel M, Duncan A J, Lenné J M. Recent advances in dual purpose rice and wheat research: A synthesis. Field Crops Research, 2020; 253: 107823.

Li L. A preliminary study on the theory and experimentation of the suction-type metering device for precision drill. Transactions of the CSAM, 1979; 10: 56–63. （in Chinese）.

Li D, Ye C Y, Yu F D, Chen X L, Zhan H, Guang M G, et al. Design and experiment of air-suction maize seed-metering device with auxiliary guide. Agriculture, 2024; 14: 169.

Ding L, Yang L, Zhang D X, Cui T, Zhang K L, Zhong X J. Effect of seed adsorption posture of corn air-suction metering device on seed feeding performance. Transactions of the CSAM, 2021; 52（7）: 40–50.

Shi S, Liu H, Wei G J, Zhou J L, Jian S C, Zhang R F. Optimization and experiment of pneumatic seed metering device with guided assistant filling based on EDEM CFD. Transactions of the CSAM, 2020; 51（5）: 54–66.

Dan D H, Wei L, Yu N W, Qing W, Zhi J W, Yu C W, et al. CFD-DEM coupling analysis of the negative pressure inlet structural parameters on the performance of integrated positive-negative pressure seed-metering device. Frontiers in Plant Science, 2025; 16: 1485710.

Xiao J G, Guan F X, Jiang L, Guang S, Qing H L, Yu X H. Design and validation of a centrifugal variable diameter pneumatic high-speed precision seed metering device for maize. Biosystems Engineering, 2023; 227: 161–181.

Zhang M H, Wang Z M, Luo X W, Zang Y, Yang W W, Xing H, et al. Review of precision rice hill-drop drilling technology and machine for paddy. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2018; 11（3）: 1–11.

He X, Xiao M Cao, Peng Z, Yi K W, Jun J L, Yu Z, et al. DEMCFD coupling simulation and optimisation of rice seed particles seeding a hill in double cavity pneumatic seed metering device. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, 2024; 224: 109075.

He X, Zai M W, Xi W L, Si Y H, Ying Z. Mechanism modeling and experimental analysis of seed throwing with rice pneumatic seed metering device with adjustable seeding rate. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, 2020; 178: 105697.

Yao X, Zi T M, Ming L W, Hai F L. Numerical study of pneumatic conveying of rapeseed through a pipe bend by DEM-CFD. Agriculture, 2022; 12: 1845.

Ying B W, Meng Z H, Qiu H Y, Zeng W Z. DEM-CFD simulation and seed orientation evaluation of a self-suction wheat shooting device. Powder Technology, 2023; 427: 118746.

Ying B W, Hong W L, Hong N H, Jin H, Qing J W, Cai Y L, et al. DEM-CFD coupling simulation and optimization of a self-suction wheat shooting device. Powder Technology, 2021; 393: 494–509.

Ying B W, Hong W L, Hong N H, Qing J W, Cai Y L, et al. A noncontact self-suction wheat shooting device for sustainable agriculture: A preliminary research. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, 2022; 197: 106927.

Jian X, Shun L S, Zhao K H, Xiao M W, Zhi H Z, Jie L, et al. Design and optimisation of seed-metering plate of air-suction vegetable seed-metering device based on DEM-CFD. Biosystems Engineering, 2023; 230: 277–300.

Wu W C, Deng X, Li J, Hu J F, Cheng H, Zhou W, et al. Micro-level stress characteristics of rapeseed particle during the seeding process using the MFBD-DEM coupled method. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, 2024; 220: 108929.

Han T, Fu D X, Tian Y G, Chang S X, Jin W W. Design and test of a pneumatic type of high-speed maize precision seed metering device. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, 2023; 211: 107997.

Han T, Chang S X, Zi M W, Qi W, Jin W W. Optimized design, monitoring system development and experiment for a long-belt finger-clip precision corn seed metering device. Frontiers in Plant Science, 2022; 28: 814747.

Cao C M, Ding W Y, Liu Z B, An M H, Zhang X C, Qin K. Design and Experiment of Seed Disperser for Ning-guo Radix Peucedani Based on Rocky Dem. Transactions of the CSAM, 2023; 54（8）: 53–64.

Hao D, Bao F Z, Tao J, Yi F Z, Ji W Q, Chao C, et al. Design and optimization of rice grain screening system based on DEM-CFD coupled rice seed testing platform. Agronomy, 2022; 12: 3069.

Kafui K D, Thornton C, Adams M J. Discrete particle-continuum fluid modelling of gas–solid fluidised beds. Chem. Engng Sci, 2002; 57: 2395–2410.

Kafui K D, Thornton C, Adams M J. Reply to comments by Feng and Yu on ‘Discrete particle-continuum fluid modelling of gas-solid fluidised beds’. Chem. Engng Sci. 2004; 59: 723–725. DOI: 10.1016/j.ces.2003.11.004.

Yong Z, Yu L D, Chang W, Yi C. Numerical simulation of hydrodynamics in downers using a CFD-DEM coupled approach. Powder Technol, 2010; 199: 2–12.

Wen C Y, Yu Y H. Mechanics of fluidization. Chemical Engineering Progress Symposium Series, 1966; 62: 100–111.

Gidaspow D, Bezburuah R, Ding J. Hydrodynamics of circulating flu-idized beds: Kinetic theory approach. In O. E. Potter, & D. J. Nicklin （Eds.）, Fluidization VII （pp.75–82）. New York: Engineering Foundation. 1991.

Bob P B H. Granular dynamics of gas–solid two-phase flows （Doctoral dissertation）. 2000. Netherlands: Universiteit Twente.

Liu C L, Wang Y L, Song J N, Li Y N, Ma T. Experiment and discrete element model of rice seed based on 3D laser scanning. Transactions of the CSAE, 2016; 32（15）: 294–300.

GB/T 6973-2005: Testing method for single seed drills （precision drills）. Beijing, China: Chinese National Standards. China, 2005. （in Chinese）.

Downloads

Published

2025-10-27

How to Cite

Xing, H., Wang, Y., Chen, Y., Yang, R., Bo, X., & Zang, Y. (2025). Experiment and analysis of the seed suction model for rice pneumatic seed metering device using DEM-CFD approach. International Journal of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, 18(5), 191–197. https://doi.org/10.25165/ijabe.v18i5.9422

Issue

Vol. 18 No. 5 (2025): IJABE

Section

Power and Machinery Systems

License

IJABE is an international peer reviewed open access journal, adopting Creative Commons Copyright Notices as follows.


Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:


  1. Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.

  2. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.

  3. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).