Plant for Pre-treatment of Vegetable Crops by Complex Influence of Electrophysical Factors

Processing of onions and potato tubers before planting is carried out in order to avoid low germination and bacterial damage. Many processing methods are known, but they have a number of drawbacks. (The research purpose) The research purpose is in developing an ultra-low frequency installation with spherical resonators for pre-planting processing of vegetables (onions and potato tubers) with the implementation of a complex effect of electrophysical factors. (Materials and methods) The authors have studied the dynamics of heating of raw materials taking into account changes in the dielectric and thermal parameters of onions and potato tubers in the process of exposure to an electromagnetic field of ultrahigh frequency. (Results and discussion) The article proposes to process vegetable seeds before planting with a complex effect of electrophysical factors: an ultrahigh frequency electromagnetic field and a corona discharge that provides air ionization and ozonation. It was found that the implementation of complex effects of electrophysical factors on raw materials in a continuous process is possible in the installation of ultrahigh frequency with spherical resonators containing fluoroplastic disks and below-cutoff waveguide that ensure compliance with electromagnetic safety when moving raw materials using brushes through a spherical resonator. It was found that the plant provides a complex effect of the ultra-high frequency electromagnetic field, the bactericidal flow of ultraviolet rays and ozonated air on the raw material. (Conclusions) The article reveals that in the developed design of the volumetric resonator, the raw material is heated evenly due to the uniform distribution of the ultrahigh frequency electromagnetic field in a sphere that has a high intrinsic q-factor and due to mixing with a brush, which simultaneously supports the corona of the electro-gas discharge lamp with its leading fibers. Raw materials are subjected to complex effects of electrophysical factors, resulting in endogenous heating and disinfection.