Structure and operation mode of centrifugal side-throwing organic fertilizer spreader for greenhouses

A centrifugal side-throwing organic fertilizer spreader is designed to improve the versatility of organic fertilizer spreaders. A discrete-element method is used to investigate the driving layer limit height of the conveyor and the diversion of the guide vane, observe the jet and the disk distribution of organic fertilizer at different fertilizer drop positions, and determine that the gap between the fan blade and guard plate significantly affects the distribution of the organic fertilizer. A mathematical model of openings and flow rate is established using bench tests. Static tests reveal that the coefficient of variation (CV) can be optimized to 15–35%. The operation mode is investigated in dynamic tests by selecting two groups of representative static test results. Group 2 had a coefficient of variation of 15.73% at 0 mm overlap. Group 3 had a coefficient of variation of 18.52% at 1200 mm overlap. The study provides a feasible solution for the design of organic fertilizer spreaders for greenhouses. [Display omitted] •Centrifugal side-dressing organic fertilizer spreader designed for greenhouses.•Determined the non-linear relationship between conveyor flow and openings.•The effects of the gap blade between fan and guard plate on the CV were explored.•Determine the operation mode of a fertilizer spreader's round trip side-dressing.