Physical and aerodynamic properties of date palm pollen grains

Mohamed M. IBRAHIM; Mohamed GHONIMY; Eid ABD EL RAHMAN

doi:10.14720/aas.2023.119.4.13421

Authors

Mohamed M. IBRAHIM Department of Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
Mohamed GHONIMY
Eid ABD EL RAHMAN Department of Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14720/aas.2023.119.4.13421

Keywords:

aerodynamic, date palm, pollen grain, properties, terminal velocity

Abstract

The present study was designed to determine the effect of four moisture content levels (4, 5, 6, and 7 %) on the physical and aerodynamic properties of date palm pollen grain (DPP). The physical properties of DPP included pollen length (L), width (w), thickness (T), projected area (A_p), geometric mean diameter (d_g), mass (m), sphericity (S), and bulk density (ρ_p). It was observed that the moisture content did not significantly influence the physical properties of the DPP. The aerodynamic properties of DPP included the terminal velocity (V_t), drag coefficient (D_c), drag force (Df), and Reynolds number (Re). The pollen Reynolds number (Re) is significant at different pollen grain moisture content, and regression models were developed in the form of polynomial and exponential relationships. Also, the 3^rd order polynomial relationship was found between Re and D_c. The results showed that the average values of V_t, D_c, Df, and Re were about 0.6 m s^-1, (0.38 to 0.45), 1.09E-11 N, and (0.29 to 0.42), respectively. The results of this study will be helpful in the performance of date palm pollination machines.

Author Biography

Mohamed GHONIMY

Department of Plant Production and Protection, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Qassim University, Buraydah;
Department of Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza;

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