Miscanthus is a dedicated biomass energy crop that can be used as an alternative energy source for biofuel production to decrease dependency on petroleum-based fuel sources. The mechanical properties of miscanthus pose harvest and handling issues because of the crop's stiff stalk, tall height, high yield and dense growth. This research examined the effects of a mechanical conditioning system for miscanthus on bale density, the compressive force during small square bale compression as well as the energy consumed during the compression process through lab scale studies. Miscanthus crop samples were collected and brought into a lab. Part of the samples was manually conditioned using a conditioning device. Then, unconditioned and conditioned miscanthus crops were baled using a small square baler. These bales were used for bale compression tests. The most significant finding was that, when compared to unconditioned miscanthus, conditioned miscanthus required a statistically significant decreased energy consumption (37%) during bale compression while also requiring a statistically significant decreased peak compressive force (37%). In addition, an increase in compressed small square bale density (10%) was obtained along with and density increase of 13% for the compression process was found for conditioned miscanthus when compared to unconditioned miscanthus. Based on these results, a regression relationship between pressure and bulk density for conditioned and unconditioned Miscanthus was obtained.

中文翻译：

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芒草机械调理和捆包压缩的实验室规模研究

芒草是一种专用的生物质能源作物，可用作生物燃料生产的替代能源，以减少对石油基燃料来源的依赖。芒草的机械特性会给收获和处理带来问题，因为该作物的茎粗、高度高、产量高且生长茂密。这项研究通过实验室规模的研究，检验了芒草机械调节系统对捆密度、小方捆压缩过程中的压缩力以及压缩过程中消耗的能量的影响。收集芒草作物样品并带入实验室。部分样品使用调节装置手动调节。然后，使用小型方形打包机将未调理和调理过的芒草作物打包。这些捆用于捆压缩测试。最重要的发现是，与未处理过的芒草相比，经过处理的芒草需要在捆包压缩过程中显着降低能耗 (37%)，同时还需要在统计学上显着降低峰值压缩力 (37%)。此外，与未处理过的芒草相比，经过处理的芒草在压缩过程中获得了压缩小方捆密度增加 (10%) 和 13% 的密度增加。基于这些结果，获得了条件和未条件芒草的压力和堆积密度之间的回归关系。条件化芒草需要在捆包压缩期间显着降低能量消耗 (37%)，同时还需要在统计学上显着降低峰值压缩力 (37%)。此外，与未处理过的芒草相比，经过处理的芒草在压缩过程中获得了压缩小方捆密度增加 (10%) 和 13% 的密度增加。基于这些结果，获得了条件和未条件芒草的压力和堆积密度之间的回归关系。条件化芒草需要在捆包压缩期间显着降低能量消耗 (37%)，同时还需要在统计学上显着降低峰值压缩力 (37%)。此外，与未处理过的芒草相比，经过处理的芒草在压缩过程中获得了压缩小方捆密度增加 (10%) 和 13% 的密度增加。基于这些结果，获得了条件和未条件芒草的压力和堆积密度之间的回归关系。与未经处理的芒草相比，经压缩的小方包密度增加 (10%)，压缩过程的密度增加了 13%。基于这些结果，获得了条件和未条件芒草的压力和堆积密度之间的回归关系。与未经处理的芒草相比，经压缩的小方包密度增加 (10%)，压缩过程的密度增加了 13%。基于这些结果，获得了条件和未条件芒草的压力和堆积密度之间的回归关系。