Parameter Calibration and Experimental Verification of the Discrete Element Model of the Edible Sunflower Seed

A discrete element model of the edible sunflower seed was constructed, addressing the lack of an accurate model for edible sunflower seeds in the simulation process of seeding, cleaning, and transportation, and it was calibrated and verified through actual and simulation tests. Taking the edible sunflower seed as the research object, the range of its simulation parameter values was preliminarily determined through actual tests. Using the seed repose angle as the test index, the simulation parameters of the seed were calibrated through the Plackett-Burman test, the steepest climb test, and the Box-Behnken test. The suspension velocity of the seed model was determined by the Fluent-EDEM coupling simulation test, and the reliability of the discrete element model of the edible sunflower seed was verified. The simulated test results showed that the seed repose angle obtained by the optimization test was 35.823 degrees, which exhibited a relative error of 0.103% in comparison to the average values obtained from the actual test. The simulated suspension velocity of the seed was 6.98 m/s. with a deviation of 0.55 m/s from the average suspension velocity obtained through the actual test. The discrete element model of the edible sunflower seed is accurate and reliable, offering guidance for improving the design of machinery used for seeding and harvesting edible sunflowers.