Bioresource and Agricultural Engineering Commons^™

Method Of Predicting Cut-Time Of Milk Coagulum In Cheese-Making Process, Frederick A. Payne, Clair L. Hicks

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Patents

An apparatus for predicting milk coagulum cut-time in a cheese making process includes a light source, a sensor or detector for sensing diffuse reflectance of light from said milk and a controller for analyzing the diffuse reflectance and accurately predicting the cut-time to significantly enhance overall yield. More specifically, the apparatus includes an optical probe which may be suspended over the milk or attached to a wall of a fermentation vessel in which the milk is contained. A method for predicting milk coagulum cut-time includes the steps of (a) directing light from a light source toward milk undergoing enzymatic hydrolysis; …

Field Calibration Of A Transient Model For Broiler Misting, Richard S. Gates, Douglas G. Overhults, Robert W. Bottcher, Shu Hui Zhang

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

A transient model to predict temperature within a tunnel ventilated broiler house during misting is developed. The model is calibrated with field data to obtain steady-state constants; transient predictions are compared to measured temperatures during cyclic misting for two different size birds. Measured temperatures during cyclic misting are shown to swing between steady-state asymptotes predicted from the model. Transient response of the model was faster than measured temperature data, in part due to temperature sensor dynamic response. The model predicts the length-wise temperature profile within the building during misting, and can be used to investigate alternate misting strategies and designs. …

Mechanical Backup Systems For Electronic Environmental Controllers, Richard S. Gates, Douglas G. Overhults, Larry W. Turner

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

A series of mechanical backup systems for electronic environmental controllers is presented for a typical finishing swine barn and a typical tunnel ventilated broiler house. The systems consist of mechanical thermostats and timers used in parallel with the electronic controller, designed to ensure animal survival in the event of controller or related hardware failure. For swine housing, three distinct mechanical backup functions are identified; for broiler housing, four distinct mechanical backup functions are identified. Schematic diagrams of the mechanical backup functions are provided and their implementation is described.

Micro-Sprinkler And Fan Cooling For Dairy Cows: Practical Design Considerations, Larry W. Turner, Richard C. Warner, John P. Chastain

Agricultural Engineering Extension Publications

Research and on-farm demonstrations have shown that micro-sprinklers, spray jets and fan cooling systems can be effective in relieving heat stress in dairy cows under hot, humid conditions. Based on these results, many dairymen are considering installing sprinkler and fan cooling. Several Kentucky dairymen have already installed sprinkler cooling systems, but they could improve their performance by modifying them to take into account the principles involved and the components used in sprinkler and fan cooling.

A Survey Of Electronic Environmental Controllers, Richard S. Gates, Douglas G. Overhults, Larry W. Turner

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

Sixteen commercially available electronic environmental controllers were evaluated. The units were classified according to enclosure type, analog versus microprocessor based control, power supply, sensors, alarms, control relays and triac output, interval timers, outside temperature feedback, and retail price. An assessment of these controllers indicated several critical limitations in the application of this technology.

The use of integrated controllers for animal production has the potential for substantial improvements in production efficiencies. If the limitations observed in the present controller technology, as represented by this sample, are addressed, industry acceptance of the technology can be accelerated. A uniform standard to address this …

Transient Overvoltage Testing Of Environmental Controllers, Richard S. Gates, Larry W. Turner, Douglas G. Overhults

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

The integrated electronic control system will provide a new method for the day-to-day management of environmental control of animal production systems. No standards are currently accepted for transient overvoltage protection of these controllers. To assess the adequacy of existing designs, a test circuit was designed and used for a transient open circuit over-voltage waveform (ANSI/IEEE C62.41-1980) of 16 environmental control units: a maximum spike of 770 V was applied to the power supplies, and a spike up to 100 V was applied to temperature sensor lines. For these relatively mild tests, no failures were noted due to power supply transients, …

Compact – A Reclamation Soil Compaction Model Part I. Model Development, Ronald L. Bingner, Larry G. Wells

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

A physically based, event oriented soil compaction model, known as COMPACT, was developed as a management or research tool to evaluate the effect of surface mining systems on compaction of soil material during reclamation. Simulation of compaction throughout the soil profile at a surface mining reclamation site requires information describing how equipment moves on the site. The compaction processes that are caused by vehicles throughout the soil profile are described by applying the pressure distribution of the surface contact area of a tire or track to determine stresses in the soil profile. A virgin compression curve is then used to …

Compact – A Reclamation Soil Compaction Model Part Ii. Sensitivity Analysis And Applications, Ronald L. Bingner, Larry G. Wells

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

COMPACT, a physically based, event-oriented compaction model, was developed as a management or research tool to evaluate the influence of a surface mining system on compaction of soil material during reclamation. Two systems of area mining reclamation operations were simulated by COMPACT. The first system involved scrapers and bulldozers and the second also included trucks. Scrapers or trucks were used to pick up and deposit the soil material. Bulldozers were then used to shape the site for reclamation. The simulated results were compared with measured results and show how equipment patterns and soil parameters can affect overall soil compaction. This …

Pesticide Application And Handling Technology: Decreasing Drift Potential During Application, G. A. Watkins, Samuel G. Mcneill, James R. Martin, S. A. Shearer

Agricultural Engineering Extension Updates

Accidental spray drift from pesticide applications can result in dangerous conditions for humans, animals, and the environment. It also can mean extra costs for the applicator due to wasted chemical and inefficient applications. Although complete elimination of spray drift is nearly impossible, drift problems and their effects on our environment can be minimized with proper application techniques and favorable weather conditions.

Underground Farm Petroleum Storage Tanks, Mike Williams, Joseph L. Taraba, Scott Shearer

Agricultural Engineering Extension Updates

Protection of farmstead water supplies is a topic which should be a prime concern of every rural landowner. Contamination of underground and surface water supplies by pesticides, fertilizers and petroleum products is a real and present hazard of modern agricultural operations. Contaminated soil and water sources can result in immediate, obvious losses such as unhealthy livestock and the need to develop alternative water sources, and long term losses such as reduced land values.

Evaluation Of Gamma Ray Attenuation For Measuring Soil Bulk Density Part I. Laboratory Investigation, Xiwen Luo, Larry G. Wells

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

Gamma ray attenuation was evaluated as a means of determining soil bulk density. Experiments were conducted using clay, silt, and sandy loam soils wherein samples were compacted to uniform densities at various moisture contents. We determined the attenuation characteristics of dry soil to be independent of soil texture while being significantly different from that of water. Comparison of gamma density measurements with known soil sample densities indicated that the gamma gauge provided reliable measurement of soil bulk density, provided that the effect of soil moisture on attenuation was accounted for and the manufacturer-prescribed calibration procedure was followed daily. Further, we …

Evaluation Of Gamma Ray Attenuation For Measuring Soil Bulk Density Part Ii. Field Investigation, Larry G. Wells, Xiwen Luo

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

A field investigation was conducted at sites near Lexington and Central City, Kentucky, to evaluate the use of gamma ray attenuation for measuring soil bulk density. Experiments were conducted whereby the gamma gauge was calibrated by various means and compared with volumetric cores collected from the field soils. Calibration by the manufacturer’s recommended procedure was determined to be as accurate as more rigorous laboratory calibration or calibration via regression of soil bulk density data, provided that the effect of soil water on gamma attenuation is correctly considered. We also developed a linear regression equation to correct for the occurrence of …

One-Tier Plastic-Covered Tobacco Curing Structure—Tier Rail Design, George A. Duncan

Agricultural Engineering Extension Publications

A tobacco grower occasionally has insufficient barn space to house his crop. This problem is especially severe when a barn is damaged or destroyed and cannot be repaired or replaced before harvest. Also, those leasing or having extra poundage may need short-term, low-cost housing.

Kentucky weather conditions are suited for curing in conventional barns as well as in other special structures with adequate covering and crop protection.

Calculating Farm Machinery Field Capacities, J. N. Hancock, Larry D. Swetnam, F. J. Benson

Agricultural Engineering Extension Publications

Calculating field capacities is just part of the overall concept of farm machinery management. Successful farm machinery management does not guarantee a profit, but machinery costs are a major expense and they must be monitored and managed. Therefore, the efficient use of farm machinery starts with determining working capacity in conjunction with the amount of work to be accomplished in a timely manner.

Curling Burley Tobacco From An Automated Harvesting System, Linus R. Walton, Larry G. Wells, James H. Casada

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

If burley tobacco can be successfully cured at high density under waterproof covers in the field, a producer can expand production without the necessity of building new curing barns and can thereby more easily justify investment in the automated burley tobacco harvesting system (Wells et al., 1990a, b). Curing under waterproof covers in the field and curing on frames in the barn were evaluated over three curing seasons using two varieties (KY 14 and TN 86), two plant densities (32 and 43 plants/m², 3 and 4 plants/ft²), position of tobacco on the frame (four levels ranging …

Full-Wall Ventilation For Dairy Free Stall Barns, Larry M. Turner, John P. Chastain

Agricultural Engineering Extension Updates

Heat stress should be a greater concern than winter cold for dairymen in Kentucky. Heat stress can cause drops in milk production and breeding efficiency, which result in lower profits for the dairyman. The use of an open sidewall free stall barn can help relieve heat stress by allowing improved ventilation of the barn in summer. The benefits of full-wall ventilation include both improved air movement and some potential increase in evaporative cooling. The increased airflow through the barn increases convective cooling of the cows and carries off a greater amount of excess heat and moisture than conventional barns with …

Electronic Controls For Swine Buildings, Douglas G. Overhults, R. S. Gates

Agricultural Engineering Extension Updates

This fact sheet discusses the use of electronic controllers to maintain the environment within swine barns. There are some special considerations when using electronic controllers to replace traditional control systems. Three main items are addressed in this fact sheet: 1) the selection of a controller, 2) installation considerations, and 3) protection against controller failure.

Elliptical Combing Motion For Harvesting Bell Peppers, J. H. Wilhoit, George A. Duncan, Larry G. Wells

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

A new concept for mechanically harvesting bell peppers, intended specifically for multiple-pass harvesting, utilized spaced horizontal fingers combing vertically upward through plant foliage in an elliptical path alternating from both sides of the row. An apparatus based on this concept was designed and built, and harvest tests were conducted to determine the effect of two main machine operating parameters, vertical picking speed and disk angle. Harvesting performance was evaluated in terms of harvest efficiency, fruit damage, and plant damage as it related to multiple-pass harvesting. Fruit removal, both harvestable size and immature, increased significantly as vertical picking speed increased. Branch …

Puffing Biological Material, Frederick A. Payne

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Patents

A method and apparatus for puffing biological material such as fruits and vegetables are provided. The method includes the steps of: (a) placing the material in a pressure chamber; (b) subjecting the material to a puffing gas such as carbon dioxide at an increased pressure between substantially 400 and 1200 psi; (c) quickly releasing the puffing gas pressure in less than 1 second to puff the material; and (d) drying the material after puffing to set it in the puffed state. The material is prepared for puffing by sizing so as to include at least one dimension of between substantially …

Automated Harvesting Of Burley Tobacco Ii. Evaluation Of System Performance, Larry G. Wells, George B. Day V, Timothy D. Smith

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

A prototype system for fully automated harvesting of burley tobacco has been developed and tested. Three years of field testing has shown that mechanical losses associated with the system were only slightly higher than via conventional methods. The system performed reliably at a sustained harvesting rate of approximately 1.4 ha/day (3.4 acre/day), while indicating that a rate of 2 ha/day (5 acre/day) should be easily achievable. The system is operated by two workers and reduces conventional labor requirement by approximately 80-85%.

Automated Harvesting Of Burley Tobacco I. System Development, Larry G. Wells, George B. Day V, Timothy D. Smith

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

A fully automated system for harvesting and handling mature buriey tobacco has been developed. This article identifies the operations essential to this harvesting concept and describes the development of the mechanisms by which they were accomplished. The system detaches, inverts and places mature plants into portable holders for air curing under waterproof covering without requiring any manual handling of the crop. Manual labor currently required to harvest buriey tobacco would be reduced by 80-85% and the system would eliminate the drudgery associated with manual handling. The harvesting system has an approximate capacity of 1.4 to 2.0 ha/day (3.5 to 5.0 …

Pneumatic Metering Of Hardwood Tree Seeds, Larry G. Wells, T. W. Richards, Timothy D. Smith, George B. Day

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

A commercial, no-till row planter was extensively modified for use in direct seeding of hardwood tree species in surface mine reclamation. A pneumatic seed metering system was designed, fabricated, and mounted on the planter frame.

The metering device was tested under laboratory conditions which simulated varying terrain slope and field speed with seeds of various hardwood tree species. Metering efficiencies of 97% were achieved for pin oak seeds at 3.2 km/hr (2.0 m/h) and 50% slope. For red oak, 97% efficiency was achieved for 50% slope at 4.0 km/h (2.5 mph). Unsatisfactory metering was noted during tests of larger seeds, …

Using Topographic Maps In Extension, Richard C. Warner

Agricultural Engineering Extension Updates

Enclosed is an index of available topographic maps, as of September, 1990, which covers the entire state. Most counties will need twelve maps to obtain complete coverage. county agents will find that these maps will significantly aid producers in making decisions about pond locations, drainage, location of structures, elevation differences, slopes, etc. Detailed topographic maps can be obtained from:

• KY Geological Survey
  228 Mining & Mineral Resources Bldg.
  University of Kentucky
  Lexington, Ky 40546-0107
• Eastern Distribution Branch
  U.S. Geological Survey
  1200 South Eads Street
  Arlington, VA 22202
• Western Distribution Branch
  U.S. Geological Survey
  Federal Center, Box 25286
  Denver, CO 80225

Automated Sorting Of Oriented Tobacco Leaves, Larry G. Wells, M. J. Bader

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

A mechanism has been developed which removes cured burley tobacco leaves from plants so that midribs are oriented parallel. A photosensor was utilized to count leaves as they were removed and a microprocessor determined the number of leaves allocated to each of three grades. Experiments indicated that 84% of leaves removed could be correctly sorted with a 2.4% material loss at an effective rate of approximately 2.4 times that of conventional methods.

Right To Farm, J. L. Taraba, R. M. Williams

Agricultural Engineering Extension Updates

Landowners in general have the right to use their property in any manner they might find useful or enjoyable except when that use infringes on the right of their neighbor or community to use their property. Conflicting interests of neighbors have been the subject of numerous disagreements resulting in one or the other loosing his right to use his property as he wishes. The circumstances surrounding each conflict usually determines the outcome, and farmers should be aware that their right to farm may be at the mercy of courts who have sometimes been sympathetic to grievances of their more urban …

Mixer Equipment Options For Total Mixed Rations, Larry W. Turner

Agricultural Engineering Extension Updates

The use of total mixed rations (TMR) in the dairy industry provides dairymen with the ability to feed a blended, balanced ration. TMR rations are balanced for the particular requirements of a specific group of cows or calves. Several different options are available for types of equipment to mix TMR rations. These types of equipment include assorted designs for both portable and stationary mixers, different types of scales and various types of conveyors.

Earthquake Planning Checklist, Larry R. Piercy

Agricultural Engineering Extension Updates

Scientists warn that a major earthquake could occur at any time along the New Madrid Fault. At the present time they believe there is sufficient energy stored in the fault for a major earthquake of 7.6 magnitude on the Richter Scale. However, these sources estimate that the most probable occurrence will be a smaller earthquake in the 6.0 to 6.5 size range. The chances of such an earthquake occurring before the end of the century is 40-60% and 97% for one occurring in the next 50 years. An earthquake of this size would cause damage over a large area.

Emergency Disinfection Of Drinking Water, Joseph L. Taraba, Thomas W. Ilvento, Linda M. Heaton

Agricultural Engineering Extension Updates

In preparation for emergency situations, there is a need to have a supply of stored water and the ability to disinfect that water and other sources of water that may be available. In emergencies, the main threat from drinking water for people is disease causing organisms. It is important that all water be disinfected before using when there is an uncertainty as to its purity. Stored water that has been disinfected and placed into disinfected containers does not give a person complete certainty of the absence of disease organisms when it is opened because the lids of these containers can …

Home Water Disinfection Methods, Joseph L. Taraba, Thomas W. Ilvento, Linda M. Heaton

Agricultural Engineering Extension Updates

The source of bacteria in your water supply can come from the water source itself, the contamination of the well and/or piping system during maintenance or construction or improper well construction. There are four disinfection methods available for the private water system:

• Chlorination (simple chlorination, super chlorination and shock chlorination)
• Ultraviolet (UV) light
• Ozonation

Do You Need A Water Treatment Product?: What You Need To Know And Ask Before Buying, Joseph L. Taraba, Linda M. Heaton, Thomas W. Ilvento

Agricultural Engineering Extension Updates

A homeowner may have obvious problems with the drinking water system; such as, staining of porcelain sinks, stained clothes after washing, cloudy water, foul/funny tasting or smelling water or corrosion of faucets or plumbing. The homeowners may be very concerned about their water because of recent publicity, advertisements or door-to-door sales which raised issues about the quality of the drinking water from a private or public water supply. The homeowners may be concerned about the water supply after a recent educational program that was attended or presented in the local media outlets. How does that homeowner determine if a water …