Simulation Analysis and Parameter Optimization of Seed–Flesh Separation Process of Seed Melon Crushing and Seed Extraction Separator Based on DEM

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

1.       Which part of the seeded melon crushing and seed extraction separator shown in Figure 2 is the seed-flesh separating device shown in Figure. 3(a)? Is the unit shown in Figure 3(a) self-contained?

2.       How are the intrinsic parameters in Table 2 obtained?

3.       The calibration values of contact parameters in Table 3 and Table 4: are they part of methodology or results?

4.       What is the basis for the range of values for the three test factors shown in Table 6?

5.       Figure 13(a): The definition of compression force is unclear? Why is the value zero for the first 0.2 seconds?

6.       What is the purpose of the article that analyzes the effects of factors on the effectiveness of seed- flesh separation in section 3.2?

Author Response

Dear reviewer,

Thank you very much for your comments and professional advice. These opinions help to improve academic rigor of our article. Based on your suggestion and request, we have made corrected modifications on the revised manuscript. We hope that our can be improved again. Furthermore, we would like to show the details as follows:

1. Which part of the seeded melon crushing and seed extraction separator shown in Figure 2 is the seed-flesh separating device shown in Figure. 3(a)? Is the unit shown in Figure 3(a) self-contained?

Reply: Thank you very much for your question on this subject. The structural diagram of the seed melon crushing and seed extraction separator is depicted in Figure.2. The serial number (10) represents the seed-flesh separation device as shown in Figure. 3(a), which is an integral component of the seed melon crushing and seed extraction separator.

2. How are the intrinsic parameters in Table 2 obtained?

Reply: Thank you very much for your attention to this detail in the manuscript. For this problem, we have explained this issue as follows: The parameters in Tables 2 was experimentally determined by our research team, there are no external references for them.

3. The calibration values of contact parameters in Table 3 and Table 4: are they part of methodology or results?

Reply: Thank you very much for your detailed review. Table 3 and Table 4 shows the calibration values for the contact parameters, which belong to the phase results of this chapter. However, for the full text is part of the methodology.

4. What is the basis for the range of values for the three test factors shown in Table 6?

Reply: Thank you for addressing this issue. The separation roller speed plays a crucial role in the efficiency of the machine. If the speed is too high, there is a risk of damaging the melon seeds, while a speed that is too low can lead to material blockages. After careful consideration, the optimal range for the separation roller speed is determined to be 70-150 r/min. Similarly, the spacing between scraper and screen is a critical factor affecting the separation of seeds and flesh. A gap that is too wide results in poor separation effectiveness, whereas a gap that is too narrow can cause blockages. After careful consideration, the recommended spacing between scraper and screen is set at 1-5 mm. Additionally, the Separation roller scraper inclination angle significantly influences the movement of the seed-flesh mixture. A shallow angle hinders axial movement, while an excessively steep angle underutilizes the screen mesh area. After careful consideration, the optimal Separation roller scraper inclination angle is chosen to be 0-10°.

5. Figure 13(a): The definition of compression force is unclear? Why is the value zero for the first 0.2 seconds?

Reply: Thank you for your question. The compression force is the force exerted by the compression of the seed-flesh mixture in the separating screen under the pressing action of the separating rollers’ scrapers, and it changes over time. The compression force remains at zero for the initial 0.2 seconds as it takes this duration for the seed-flesh mixture to enter the screen from the inlet and make contact with the rollers.

6. What is the purpose of the article that analyzes the effects of factors on the effectiveness of seed- flesh separation in section 3.2?

Reply: Thank you for addressing this issue. By the single factor analysis to examine the impact of individual factors on the separation of seeds and flesh, we can obtain the influence rules of each factor on the separation effect of the seed-flesh.

 

Yours sincerely,

Qi Luo

June 22, 2024

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The paper deals with the simulation model of a device for separating melon seeds, melon pulp and seed pulp, based on the Discrete Element Method (DEM). The simulation parameters were calibrated as a result of the simulation. The research results can provide a reference for a better seed mass separation device solution. The quality of the work is good, the modelling results are compared with the test results.

The main shortcomings in the quality of images. Difficult to understand fig.5.  Fig. 8, 9 unintelligible, axes without measurement units, Chinese inscriptions remain. It is necessary to explain them more. Poor quality fig. 14-16. Explain the broken lines. At what accuracy they are given.

The sentences (273 and 286) should be separated for a better understanding. Explain how the scratch in the seeds was specifically determined.

How to understand the 2 times repeated "normal" (493,494)

Would like a discussion on the effects of AB , A² and B² from a physical/practical point of view. (508)

 

 

Author Response

Dear reviewer,

Thank you very much for your comments and professional advice. These opinions help to improve academic rigor of our article. Based on your suggestion and request, we have made corrected modifications on the revised manuscript. We hope that our can be improved again. Furthermore, we would like to show the details as follows:

1. The main shortcomings in the quality of images. Difficult to understand fig.5. Fig. 8, 9 unintelligible, axes without measurement units, Chinese inscriptions remain. It is necessary to explain them more. Poor quality fig. 14-16. Explain the broken lines. At what accuracy they are given.

Reply: Thank you very much for your attention to this detail in the manuscript. For these problems, we have explained these issues as follows:

The images in the article have been replaced with clear images.

Fig. 5 illustrates the discrete element model of the seed-flesh separation device. Because the focus of this paper is the seed-flesh separation process, the key components such as the separation roller, screen mesh, casing, inlet, outlet and other key components are retained in the establishment of the model in order to improve the simulation accuracy.

Figs. 8 and 9 show the curves of compression force and shear force with time obtained from the compression test and puncture test of melon seeds and flesh respectively by means of a mass tester. The horizontal coordinates of the axes in Figure 8 represent time and the vertical coordinates express force. The horizontal coordinates of the coordinate values in Figure 9 express displacement and the vertical coordinates express force. The Chinese characters in the figures have been changed to English.

The images in Figures 14-16 have been replaced, these curves in the figure are fitted by Design-Expert software based on the simulation results, due to poor image quality, resulting in what appears to be broken lines that are actually continuous curves. The simulation accuracy is high, and the results meet the simulation requirements.

2. The sentences (273 and 286) should be separated for a better understanding. Explain how the scratch in the seeds was specifically determined.

Reply: Thank you very much for your comments and professional advice. Based on your suggestions, we have made relative adjustments to the sentences (273 and 286), and the changes are marked in red.

In the tests, the group tested and counted the scratch degree on the surface of melon seeds by the homemade melon seed scratch detection equipment in order to calculate the scratch rate of melon seeds.

3. How to understand the 2 times repeated "normal" (493,494)

Reply: Thank you underlining this deficiency, based on your suggestions, we have made the appropriate changes in the manuscript, and the changes are marked in blue. And for this problem, we have explained this issue as follows: Because of an error in translation, the first "normal" should be changed to "normality", meaning "the result satisfies the hypothesis of normality". And the second "normal" indicates that the result satisfies a normal distribution.

4. Would like a discussion on the effects of AB , A2 and B2 from a physical/practical point of view. (508)

Reply: Thank you very much for your attention to this detail in the manuscript. For this problem, We have explained this issue as follows: AB, A², B² are the interaction item and secondary item used in the analysis of variance of the simulation results using Design-Expert software, so that we can get whether its effect on the melon seeds impurity rate and the melon seeds scratch rate are significant or not, and then we can obtain the regression equations to determine the optimal parameters of the process of separating the seeds and flesh. Based on the optimal working parameters obtained from AB, A², B², etc., the group carried out the test on the prototype machine, and the obtained melon seed impurity rate and melon seed scratching rate met the requirements. The group did sub-tests on the interactions of the factor interactions in the practical prototype tests.

Yours sincerely,

Qi Luo

June 22, 2024