• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• 제39권1호
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• pp.21-33
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• 2014

Background: Significant technological development and changes happened in the tractor industries. Contrariwise, the test procedures of the major standard development organizations (SDO's) remained unchanged or with a little modification over the years, demanding new tractor test standards or improvement of existing ones for tractor performance, safety, and comfort. Purpose: This study focuses on reviewing the research trends regarding performance, safety and comfort evaluation of agricultural tractors. Based on this review, few recommendations were proposed to revise or improve the current test standards. Review: Tractor power take-off power test using the DC electric dynamometer reduced human error in the testing process and increased the accuracy of the test results. GPS signals were used to determine acceleration and converted into torque. High capacity double extended octagonal ring dynamometer has been designed to measure drawbar forces. Numerical optimization methodology has been used to design three-point hitch. Numerous technologies, driving strategies, and transmission characteristics are being considered for reducing emissions of gaseous and particulate pollutants. Engine emission control technology standards need to be revised to meet the exhaust regulations for agricultural tractors. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) program has been used to design Roll-Over Protective Structures (ROPS). Program and methodology has been presented for testing tractor brake systems. Whole-body vibration emission levels have been found to be very dependent upon the nature of field operation performed, and the test track techniques required development/adaptation to improve their suitability during standardized assessment. Emphasizes should be given to improve visibility and thermal environment inside the cab for tractor operator. Tractors need to be evaluated under electromagnetic compatibility test conditions due to large growing of electronic devices. Research trends reviewed in this paper can be considered for possible revision or improvement of tractor performance, safety, and comfort test standards.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• 제26권4호
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• pp.317-323
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• 2017

In this study, the heating performance and the energy saving effect of the heat pump system using hot waste water(waste heat) of the thermal power plant discharged from a thermal power plant to the sea were analyzed. The greenhouse area was $5,280m^2$ and scale of the heat pump system was 120 RT(Refrigeration Ton), which was divided into 30 RT, 40 RT and 50 RT. The heat pump system consisted of the roll type heat exchangers, hot waste water transfer pipes, heat pumps(30, 40, 50 RT), a heat storage tank and fan coil units. The roll type heat exchangers was made of PE(Poly Ethylene) pipes in consideration of low cost and durability against corrosion, because hot waste water(sea water) is highly corrosive. And the heating period was 5 months from October to February. During the heating performance test(12 hours), the inlet water temperature of evaporator was changed from $32^{\circ}C$ to $26^{\circ}C$, and heat absorption of he evaporator was changed from 175 kW to 120 kW. The inlet water temperature of the condenser rose linearly from $15^{\circ}C$ to $50^{\circ}C$, and the heat release of condenser was reduced by 40 kW from 200 kW to 160 kW. And the power consumption of the heat pump system increased from 30 kW to 42 kW. When the inlet water temperature of condenser was $15^{\circ}C$, the heating COP(Coefficient Of Performance) was over 7.0. When it was $30^{\circ}C$, it dropped to 5.0, and when it was above $40^{\circ}C$, it decreased to less than 4.0. It was analyzed that the reduction of heating energy cost was 87% when compared to the duty free diesel that the carbon dioxide emission reduction effect was 62% by recycling the waste heat of the thermal power plant as a heat source of the heat pump system.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• 제31권3호
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• pp.143-151
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• 2022

This study was carried out to investigate quantitative characteristics of the cooling effect in a single-span arch greenhouse with roll-up side vents depending on operation of circulation and exhaust fans during ventilation, in order to suggest a practical strategy regarding installation or operation of forced ventilation systems. The examination was conducted under 3 different ventilation conditions (side vents only, side vents + circulation fans, and side vents + circulation fans + exhaust fans). In each condition, variations of internal and external air temperatures and exogenous environmental factors were recorded during ventilation, and the cooling effects were investigated by comparing the normalized temperature difference (NTD) of each ventilation condition. In the morning time (11:00-12:00), a temporary peak in the temperature difference was observed at the beginning of ventilation regardless of ventilation methods. The time taken to the maximum NTD was decreased from 340 s to 110s, and the NTD was dropped from 1.158 to 1.037 as the more forced ventilation systems were operated. The more operations caused the passing time over specific NTD values reduced by 60% as the time was reduced from 1,030 s to 550 s at NTD = 0.8, 1,610 s to 915 s at NTD = 0.6, and 2,315 s to 1,360 s at NTD = 0.4. The temporary peak in NTD was not observed in the afternoon time (14:00-15:00) but it was dropped as quickly as the ventilation started. Also the more operations resulted in the passing time over specific NTD values reduced by 70% as the time was reduced from 560 s to 345 s at NTD = 0.8, from 825 s to 540 s at NTD = 0.6, and from 1,145 s to 810 s at NTD = 0.4. Conclusively, the intervention of the forced ventilation system is recommended in the morning time or in high thermal conditions to achieve more effective and economical ventilation.