This research shows the results that were obtained from technical evaluation of ASP 200 prototype that is a suction pneumatic grain conveyor. This equipment was built to use in agricultural storage facilities to clean bucket elevator feet, loading hoppers and air renovation in silo galleries. The tests have evaluated mechanical characteristics of conveyor, air and material discharges, pressure losses, air infiltration, intake nozzle efficiency and piping diameters. The results have allowed several recommendations to improve equipment design that will increase its operational efficiency. Although pneumatic conveying is considered an experimental science, the authors have perceived the lack of procedures, parameters and orientations to conduct tests and comparisons in literature, that are fundamental to develop a design of this conveyor type.
agricultural engineering; agricultural machines; agricultural machine design
