Research Methodology for Microwave-Convective Processing of Grain

Research Method

Methodology, in its practical sense, is a system of principles and approaches for research activities that have to be adhered by researchers in the course of obtaining and development of knowledge, in the frames of a specified problem (Novikov & Novikov, 2013; Lukashevich, 2001, Ruzavin, 1975). The following system of principles and operation sequence was applied in the course of studying the process of microwave-convective treatment of grain:

• 1.

  Development of process block diagram;

• 2.

  Development of the target statement for technological process;

• 3.

  Defining controlled parameters, control actions, initial conditions and status options for the object under control;

• 4.

  Application of functional-physical analysis to controlled parameters, control actions, initial conditions and status options of the controlled object;

• 5.

  Morphological analysis of the process under development and selection of appropriate variants of initial conditions, controlled parameters and control actions. Adjusting the purpose of the process;

• 6.

  Development of mathematical model for the process under study:

  • a.

    Description of dynamic properties of the subject of research;

  • b.

    Specifying initial and boundary conditions;

• 7.

  Method selection for mathematical model solution. Solving the problem;

• 8.

  Software selection for dynamic programming of the process under development;

• 9.

  Implementation of mathematical model with the use of computer. Program checkout. Model-based analysis of the process under study;

• 10.

  Optimization procedure. Application of computer simulation technique for optimization of parameters of the process under study or for that of design parameters of equipment used to implement this process;

• 11.

  Planning of experimental studies designed to check validity of model-based analysis results;

• 12.

  Development of experimental equipment and carrying out experimental studies;

• 13.

  Experimental results analysis;

• 14.

  Adjustment of the mathematical model of the process.