Progress 10/22/01 to 10/21/06
Outputs
A covered burner with that combined the tasks of parallel and cross-flaming was designed, constructed and evaluated in 2002. Tests of the combination burner revealed that heated air was being diverted across the row by the vanes and re-entering the cover to be recycled. At the 300-mm height in the row, there was never a significant rise in temperature. This indicated that, if actual plant specimens had been employed, excessive heat would not escape into the canopy to damage the crop. Comparison also revealed that the combination covered burner transferred heat to the desired targets more efficiently than either the open cross-flaming or parallel-flaming. In 2003 field evaluations of parallel flaming cotton using covered burners were made in Texas and Mississippi. Results showed superior weed control and increased efficiency as compared to open flame burners. Slight modifications were made in the linkage arrangement and pivot attachments to simplify construction and
improve operation. Detailed drawings for construction of these covered burners units were prepared to assist in interesting a commercial manufacturer to initiate production of the units. Will proceed with commercializing those burners.
Impacts
Results of this research showed a reduction in the quantity of fuel per unit area, increased weed control effectiveness and decreased costs of flame weeding. Use of LP Gas to control weeds enables crops to be produced using less chemical herbicides, and this research will enhance the opportunities for using an alternative to harmful chemicals whose use is being phased out. Covered burners were also designed and constructed for weed control research evaluation in growing organic soybeans. These burners were designed for both pre-plant and parallel flaming. The design provided for flaming 24 inch wide beds prior to planting. Four units were constructed and each unit was designed so that a 12 inch middle section could be removed to allow narrowing the units to be used for parallel flaming 12 inch widths.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
Field evaluations of parallel flaming cotton using covered burners were made in Texas and Mississippi. Results showed superior weed control and increased efficiency as compared to open flame burners. Based on these results, four additional covered burners were constructed for parallel flaming studies in cotton at College Station, Texas and Stoneville, Mississippi and for vegetables at Weslaco, Texas. Slight modifications were made in the linkage arrangement and pivot attachments to simplify construction and improve operation. Springs for assisting in "floating" of burners over the soil surface and sides of bed were added. Chains were included in the design to provide limits on the amount of floating action and allow the flaming units to be lifted with integral mounted hitching. Detailed drawings for construction of these covered burners units were prepared to assist in interesting a commercial manufacturer to initiate production of the units.
Impacts
Covered burners were also designed and constructed for weed control research evaluation in growing organic soybeans. These burners were designed for both pre-plant and parallel flaming. The design provided for flaming 24 inch wide beds prior to planting. Four units were constructed and each unit was designed so that a 12 inch middle section could be removed to allow narrowing the units to be used for parallel flaming 12 inch widths.
Publications
- LePori, Wayne A. Flame Cultivation. 2004, Reviewed and being revised. Encyclopedia of Agricultural, Food, and Biological Engineering, Marcel Dekker, Inc., 270 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016, U.S.A.
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Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
A covered burner with that combined the tasks of parallel and cross-flaming was designed, constructed and evaluated. The two covers were designed with the cover on one side the mirror image of the one on the other side. One end of each cover was equipped with vanes designed specifically to direct hot air across the row to an opening in the cover on the opposite side. The combination burner used positive forced-air supply systems providing combustion air for burners in each cover. Performance of the combination covered burner was compared to, open cross-flaming, and open parallel-flaming from tests made in laboratory tests. The test facility provided suspension of burners from two tracks and allowed precise control of operating speed. Temperature measurements from thermocouples were used for evaluating the burners. Eight thermocouples were used to monitor temperatures at three different heights in what would represent the row. An additional eight were utilized to
monitor temperatures in the furrows - four on one side and four on the other, all at a height of 7-mm (0.276-in) above the soil surface. Tests of the combination burner revealed that heated air was being diverted across the row by the vanes and re-entering the cover to be recycled. At the 300-mm height in the row, there was never a significant rise in temperature. This indicated that, if actual plant specimens had been employed, excessive heat would not escape into the canopy to damage the crop. Comparison also revealed that the combination covered burner transferred heat to the desired targets more efficiently than either the open cross-flaming or parallel-flaming.
Impacts
Results of this research show will reduce the quantity of fuel per unit area, increase weed control effectiveness and decrease costs of flame weeding. Use of LP Gas to control weeds enables crops to be produced using less chemical herbicides, and this research will enhance the opportunities for using an alternative to harmful chemicals whose use is being phased out.
Publications
- Stark, Chris. 2003. Establishment of Criteria for Design of a Combination Parallel and Cross-Flaming Covered Burner. M.S. Thesis, Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering.
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