Design Optimization and Experimental Verification of Spiral Cone Centrifugal Fertilizer Apparatus Based on the Discrete Element Method

This study attempts to optimize the arc-shaped coned disk affecting uniformity of earlier designed fertilizer apparatus (FA), in particular, for application rice–oil rotation region middle and lower reaches Yangtze River, China. Based on theoretical analysis, a circular with curvature gradual decline (GD) from top bottom was designed, equation cone determined. The EDEM discrete element software used, using coefficient variation fertilization amount consistency every row, stability, same row as evaluation indices. Simulations comparative tests FA performance were performed three cases busbar top-to-bottom variation: (i) increase (GI), (ii) (GD), (iii) zero (0) variation. experimental results show that at speed 100~120 r/min tilt 1°~5°, optimized had optimal performance. High tilts low speeds provided worst performance, inter-row below 10.23%. fertilizing stability than 6.74%. intra-row 3.52%, while all indicators met quality requirements discharge. Bench revealed 10.23%, 6.74%, 3.52%. Field 7.68%, 4.95%, 3.57%. All parameters better industry standard, demonstrating good field operations.