Real time variable rate stover collection control system on a single pass dual stream biomass harvester controlling for erosion and organic matter
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Since 1905, the Department of Agricultural Engineering, now the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (ABE), has been a leader in providing engineering solutions to agricultural problems in the United States and the world. The department’s original mission was to mechanize agriculture. That mission has evolved to encompass a global view of the entire food production system–the wise management of natural resources in the production, processing, storage, handling, and use of food fiber and other biological products.
History
In 1905 Agricultural Engineering was recognized as a subdivision of the Department of Agronomy, and in 1907 it was recognized as a unique department. It was renamed the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering in 1990. The department merged with the Department of Industrial Education and Technology in 2004.
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1905–present
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- Department of Agricultural Engineering (1907–1990)
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- College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (parent college)
- College of Engineering (parent college)
- Department of Industrial Education and Technology, (merged, 2004)
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Abstract
Corn stover is a crop residue that can be converted into a renewable fuel. A single pass dual stream biomass harvester can collect a clean product that a biorefinery can use. Typically, if corn stover is collected, a second pass baler is used, which collects any material that is available to it. On hillsides, this would result in not enough ground cover remaining to prevent erosion. Another method to collect corn stover uses a single pass dual stream biomass harvester that collects both corn grain and corn stover. Again, this method would result in hillsides not receiving enough ground cover to prevent erosion. A real time variable rate corn stover collection control system on a single pass dual stream biomass harvester would adjust the corn stover return rate in order to return more material to the ground on hillsides and collect more material in other areas where not as much material is needed on the ground. To do this, a program was developed to determine the optimal corn stover prescription return rate based on erosion management and organic matter management. Secondly, a control system was developed to return a specified amount of corn stover to the ground. These two systems were integrated in order to return the necessary amount of material to the ground where it is needed in real time.