CNH-Industrial – Electrostatic field measurements of dust and air induced flows

A combine harvester is an agricultural machine that harvests crops like wheat, corn and canola. The harvester is taking in the crop material through a header and feeder and seperates the grain from the chaff and straw in the threshing process. All the mechanical processes occurring in the combine harvester generate a lot of dust. This dust is dangerous since it can accumulate on certain engine components, ignite and set fire to the machine.

One of the physical factors influencing the accumulation of dust is electrostatics. Due to friction of air and dust particles with steel and plastic machine components, dust particles and plates can be electrically charged and be attracted to each other due to electrostatic forces.

CNHIndustrial in Zedelgem is developing and manufacturing Combine Harvesters, Forage Harvesters and Large Square Balers. Within CNHI, Zedelgem is recognized as a center of excellence for product design.

• In this thesis, it is the intention to investigate the importance of electrostatic charges in the dust accumulation process. This will be done through a number of physical experiments in a wind tunnel.
• In this thesis, you will learn to:
  • Investigate electrostatic charge within an agricultural machine
  • Work with a small experimental wind tunnel
  • Analyze measurement data