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The purpose of the research carried out by the authors is represented by the use of waste, such as that from agriculture, from wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) and from the fiber glass industry in order to obtain construction materials (bricks). The authors, as part of a research project, designed and tested new recipes for making bricks, starting from a series of existing waste materials in significant quantities. By using different types of waste and re-introducing them into the economic circuit, a better protection of the environment is ensured in the current context of climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aquaponics combines hydroponics and recirculating aquaculture elements. Conventional hydroponics requires mineral fertilizers to provide plants with the necessary nutrients, but aquaponics systems use available fish water, rich in fish waste, as nutrients for plant growth. Another advantage of these combinations is that excess nutrients do not have to be removed by periodic exchange of freshwater enrichment, as is practiced in aquaculture systems. The system results in a symbiosis between fish, microorganisms and plants and encourages the sustainable use of water and nutrients, including their recycling. Within this synergistic interaction, the respective ecological weaknesses of aquaculture and hydroponics are turned into strengths. This combination substantially minimizes the need for nutrient input and waste removal, unlike when they are used as separate systems, so in the article we have a presentation of the evolution of aquaponic systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objectives of the research consist in assessing the intensity of the processes that determine the physiological growth of raspberry plants of the Delniwa variety and the Opal variety, which influence the fruiting process and the production of fruits per plant. In the framework of the experiment, the growth and fruiting of the two raspberry varieties under the influence of climatic factors from the experimental location of the raspberry culture established in 2023 within the INMA Bucharest was monitored. Thus, observations were made on the development of the main phenophases of the vegetative organs (foliar) from which the leaves and shoots developed and the fruiting organs (generative / floriferous) from which the flowers developed, hence the harvest. For both varieties, five representative plants of each variety were chosen for monitoring, from which the following parameters were measured every month of the crop's evolution: the number of shoots, the length and diameter of the stem, the sizes of the fruits and receptacles, as well as the accumulated amounts of fruits specific to each variety analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biomass is abundantly present in diverse ecosystems, and is considered to be a highly valuable energy source worldwide due to its high diversity. Agricultural residues contribute substantially to the overall biomass potential. Although all agricultural residues can be used as fuel, their range is limited in practice by the possibilities of production, compaction, transport and use. The present paper presents a technology and the associated technical equipment developed and tested by INMA Bucharest for processing Miscanthus biomass that can be used for various energy purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After the wheat is coarsely grinded in the breakage technological phase and after a certain percentage of flour and bran has been extracted here, the crushing is continued in the reduction technological phase. The paper presents the flow of grist products at the first two technological passages from the reduction phase of an industrial milling unit. Samples taken from these two technological passages were subjected to a granulometric analysis, and with the experimental data a nonlinear correlation was performed with the Rosin-Rammler law, obtaining correlation coefficients of over 0.954. The paper also discusses the limits of the dimensions between which the particles of each fraction are sorted at the first two technological passages in the reduction phase. The analysis performed in this paper can serve in establishing the fabrics of the sifting frames from the plansifter compartments, respectively when adjusting the roller mills.

Romanian aquaculture can be economically sustainable and viable if the farm is profitable, the farm's income is secure, and the products are accepted by customers. In many cases, improving environmental sustainability can lead to optimizing economic sustainability. For example, a more efficient use of food and nutrients or reduced water and energy consumption are not only beneficial for the environment, but can also reduce costs. Growth in polyculture system, which represents the growth of several species of fish in the same space (pond, pool, basin, etc.), and diversification of supply can increase consumer confidence and thus economic sustainability. The diet must provide the fish with the nutrients necessary for growth (proteins with a plastic role) and provide the energy necessary for physiological processes. Quality food ensures good development, facilitates reproduction and prevents extremely harmful diseases in an aquaculture system. The paper presents a series of experimental recipes for pelletized feed made using an experimental model of small capacity. Nutrient pellets made for feeding fish from the Cyprinid family were analyzed in terms of gross energy value, ash content, moisture, mechanical durability over time, bulk density etc.

This paper presents theoretical and experimental research on the process of calibrating corn seeds using a specialized equipment with cylindrical sieves, studying the influence of process parameters and corn seed particularities on the quality of the calibration work. The research took into consideration corn seed characteristics, namely, their dimensions (length, width, and thickness) and weight, determining the influence of process parameters—the contact point between the seed and the cylindrical sieve, the influence of the length of the sieve, and the sieve's revolution speed on the separation process. The experiments for determining the influence of these parameters on the calibration process were conducted on a calibrating equipment with cylindrical sieves using three different corn hybrids. It was noticed from the experiments that, overall, the revolution speed had the most important effect on the calibration process, with sieve length also affecting the process, but to a lesser degree. Seed calibration efficiency was best at the smallest revolution speed (33 rot/min) and decreased when the revolution speed increased up to 49 rot/min for all corn hybrids tested. The number of calibrated seeds decreased in the second part of the cylindrical sieve. Seed thickness influenced the process, in the respect that seeds smaller than 4.8 mm passed through the first third of the sieve and those with a thickness between 4.8 and 5 mm passed through the other two thirds of the sieve length. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study focuses on analyzing the impact of integrating an optical sorter in a seed-separation technological flow, in terms of increasing the quality of the maize seeds appropriate for sowing. The study showed that there are situations when the use of optical separation may result in a number of difficulties in removing a variable rate of good seeds from the raw mass, which can bring economic disadvantages. The identified issue encouraged the development of several flow assessment approaches in order to determine the problem's essence and to develop the best strategy for action. The key finding was that the evaluated optical sorting equipment cannot eliminate impurities without also removing good seeds, resulting in every 1% increase in impurity level and a rate of 0.70% of the good seeds lost. Therefore, farmers must carefully consider the scenarios where integrating optical sorting into their technological flow is a suitable option, considering the input material quality, the selling price of the product, and the risk of missing an important quantity of high-quality seeds. The working method described may be of significant importance to other farmers who intend to choose the components of grain-cleaning processes effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the existing statistical data at the country level, over 65% of the wastewater (rural from agricultural livestock farms) is discharged without purification, 61% are insufficiently purified and only 10-15% are properly purified. The pollution effect of wastewater not purified or insufficiently purified on surface waters, is mainly manifested by the content of suspended matter, of organic matter, in nutritional salts, ammonium and in pathogenic microorganisms. It is well-known that the nutritional salts of nitrogen and phosphorus cause the eutrophication of surface waters, with the effect of consuming the dissolved oxygen needed to sustain the aquatic life. Ammonia is particularly toxic to aquatic life. Unsaturated or insufficiently purified wastewater pollutes groundwater, among others with nitrates, ammonium and bacteriologically. From the presented results, the purification of waste water is an essential requirement of the development of human civilization. Being a necessity with special social and ecological implications, the unitary regulation and the general provision of the necessary infrastructure is a priority, in this sense an article will be presented in an experimental treatment station that performs the collection of waste water from an agrozootechnical farm. The purification of water within this experimental model of treatment plant will be done autonomously from an energy point of view (electricity supply is carried out through a hybrid system based on photovoltaic panels and wind turbine), and the recovery. The use of purified water is done in a greenhouse, using a mixed irrigation system (dripping / spray irrigation).

In the climatic conditions of the Center of Moldavia (Romania), there are eight sorghum hybrids cultivated for grains (Arsky, Foehn, Albanus, Shamal, Kalatur şi Armorik, Elan and Alimentar) in order to establish their adaptability to the conditions of the area, by taking into account the current problems of agriculture caused by climate change and the need to find a solutions to fight hunger and improve human health. This study focused on two directions, namely: identifying genotypes that achieve the highest productions and establishing food value and the benefits of sorghum grains on human health by analysing the physico chemical composition of the grains, by determining the mineral content of the grain and by determining the composition in amino acids. The grain production had ranged from 8623 kg/ha to 11181 kg/ha. This production had characterized by a protein content between 8.84 % and 12.80 %, in lipid content between 3.39 % and 4.15 %, in raw fibre content between 2.15 % and 3.95 % and the starch content was between 66.70 % and 74.66 %. The analysed mineral content of the sorghum samples has the following values (mg/100g a.s.): phosphorus - 280 - 330; potassium - 520 - 610; calcium - 2.4 - 3.9; magnesium - 260 - 290; iron - 11.6 - 18.9; zinc - 1.94 - 2.42; copper - 0.23 - 0.36; manganese - 1.60 - 1.97. Analysing the amino acid composition of sorghum samples it can be said that the samples contain all the essential amino acids, in concentrations that, some of them, exceed the recommended daily dose (FAO/WHO/UNU): leucine, isoleucine, histidine, valine. Also the analysed sorghum seeds add an important content of methionine, threonine and phenylalanine.

Environment pollution with heavy metals, can be a cause of the industrialization activities and technological processes, and has become an important issue. Soil contamination due to natural or anthropogenic causes (such as mining, smelting, warfare and military training, electronic industries, fossil fuel consumption, waste disposal, agrochemical use and irrigation) is a major environmental hazard. Various remediation techniques have been highlighted to clean or restore soils contaminated with heavy metals such physical, chemical or biological. Phytoremediation is a relatively new approach to removing contaminants from the environmental. It may be defined as the use of plants to remove, destroy or sequester hazardous substances from environmental. This paper is a review of removal of heavy metals from a contaminated soil using phytoremediation.

The global impact of climate change, with the potential to affect agriculture through changes in temperature, rainwater distribution and amount, leads to the need to develop integrated technologies that increase rain use efficiency and support soil and environmental quality, ensuring higher agricultural outputs with lower costs. Soil modeling in interrupted furrows is a very efficient rainwater harvesting system, but has not yet been scientifically assessed for the conditions in Southern Romania as the other soil working systems have been. For this purpose, a soil modeling device consisting of a frame with triangle for coupling to the tractor, wheels for adjusting and limiting the working depth, soil loosening knives, ridge ploughs and furrow compartmenting equipment was compared with the conventional technology for sunflower culture in two localities in Southern Romania: Crânguri in Giurgiu County and Mărculeşti in Calarasi County. The device for soil modeling in interrupted furrows for weeding crops provides a viable option that has positive effects on soil properties and ensures increased crop yields compared to conventional works as well as the opportunity to increase the efficiency of water recovery in agriculture by harvesting rainwater.

The overall objective of the project is to develop an eco-innovative system for pressing sweet sorghum by the generalised object method specific to the technical creation applied in this field. (Vitalie Belouasov). The representative technical solutions of the companies recognised in this field are known and it is necessary to use a creativity method to analyze the existing solutions, to assess technical and economic characteristics by methods specific to value analysis but also to find new constructive variants and choose the optimal variant that will then be developed by the design-research activity for the realisation of the technical documentation for the execution of an industrial prototype. The generalized object of the technical creation is in the form of a cylindrical morphological matrix, each sector representing a solution (sector represented by a triple assembly BiCjDk, the total number of solutions being: N=i·j·k solutions, some of which are known, others unknown. The incompatible ones must be eliminated, while the others must be analyzed, as they can lead to particularly efficient constructions after their complete solving.

In the context of agricultural soil degradation caused by the extensive use of chemical amendments, ecological alternatives with minimal detrimental impact on ecosystems are gaining popularity. Recent advancements in processing technologies have improved the quality and extraction efficiency of bioactive compounds, particularly when multiple conventional or innovative techniques are being used to potentially overcome the most common limitations. This paper proposes the development and testing of a hybrid technology design that employs two extraction techniques, namely ultrasound and high pressure, that can be used either separately or in tandem. An initial assessment of the prototype potential for isolating the desired compounds was made, by testing three various working regimens for the processing of a mixture of onion, pea, and soybean. By incorporating the bioactive compounds produced during the experimental phase in the seedling transplantation holes, we were able to test the potential of stimulating the development rate of vegetables and reducing the attack of pests. The extracts obtained using the hybrid technology showed positive results when used to reduce pest attacks (decreasing average attack frequency by 7%), however had negative effects when used to promote biostimulation, when acted as an inhibitor. The hybrid extraction approach improved the mass transfer into solvent by 14% when compared to high-pressure processing and by 7% when compared to sonication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Starting from the influencing parameters of threshing and separation and implicit seed losses that occur within this process, this paper searched for and identified the optimal threshing regimes to minimize losses depending on the process parameters. The evacuation losses (pev) depend on threshing rotor speed (n) and implicit rotor peripheral speed (vp), material feed speed (va), the space between the rotor and counter-rotor (δ), material feed flow (Q), material density (ρ), and the length of the threshing apparatus (L). As the parameters ρ and L are constant, the variation of losses in relation to each of the arguments was followed: vp, Q, ρ, and va, respectively, for the minimization of losses by the variation of the loss function by two arguments each (represented graphically); the four arguments targeted being: vp, va, ρ, and Q. Using these input parameters, it was possible to determine the optimal threshing regimes for the variation of losses in relation to the rotor peripheral speed, the feed flow, the space between the rotor and the counter-rotor, and the feed speed, so as to obtain a seed separation percentage (Ss) as close as possible to 100% (and implicitly the smallest threshing losses—towards zero) in relation to these parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of sludge management in wastewater treatment plants remains a current issue. The characteristics of the sludge depend on the degree of pollution and the nature of the pollutants in the wastewater undergoing purification and on the sludge treatment methods. Before utilization or disposal, the sludge must be treated, with the aim of reducing the water content, fermentation properties and the presence of pathogens. Treated sludge can be used or disposed of, most commonly, in three ways: agricultural use, incineration or landfilling, depending on the properties of the sludge, as well as the option of the treatment plant operator. Other disposal and recovery methods exists, but they are less used. Researchers are looking for new ways to utilize this type of waste in order to minimize the negative impact both on the environment and on the operators of treatment plants. The article presents a way of handling for this waste - the use of sludge for the manufacture of construction materials. Agricultural waste can also be incorporated into building materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inadequate production practices are widely used in aquaculture management, causing excessive water and energy usage, as well as ecological damage. New approaches to sustainable aquaculture attempt to increase production efficiency, while reducing the quantities generated of wastewater and sludge. The sustainable operating techniques are often ineffective, expensive, and difficult to implement. The present article proposes a zero-waste production system, designed for growing fish and vegetables, using a new circular operational concept that creates synergies between fish farming and horticulture. In order to optimize the operational flows with resources, products, and wastes in an integrated zero-waste food production cluster, a business model was designed associating three ecological production practices: a closed fishing pond, a technology for growing vegetables in straw bales, and a composting system. The design had the role to assist the transition toward multiple circular material flows, where the waste can be fully reintegrated into the production processes. A comparative evaluation was conducted in three alternative growing environments, namely, a soilless culture established in straw bales, a culture grown in soil that had received compost fertilizer, and the conventional farming technique. When compared to conventional methods, experiments showed a significant increase in the cluster's cumulative productivity, resulting in a 12% improvement in energy efficiency, 18% increase in food production, and 25% decrease in operating expenses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aerial monitoring of agricultural crops involves the creation of reliable measurements for which specialized equipment onboard UAVs are needed. This equipment consists of data acquisition systems from mono, multi or hyperspectral sensors, modularly integrated systems in the agridrone that move, position and orient them above the surface of agricultural crops in the monitored area. The components of the abiotic environment (air, water, soil) are vital for sustainable agriculture. The current trend is to make an intelligent and precision agriculture. All these operations become possible real if and only if we look at the agridrone as a unitary system, a mechatronic system formed by the meeting of several subsystems: mechanical, electronic, IT, communication, hardware and software. This involves the introduction of high-performance technologies, machines and equipment to make the agricultural process more efficient and ensure production control in ecological conditions. Thus, farmers try to get as much agricultural production as possible with the lowest costs. Drones used in agriculture as operational tools (agridrones) are UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems) air platforms equipped for monitoring the health of crops, for spraying phytosanitary substances or carrying out logistical operations in areas difficult to access or dangerous for the human operator. The paper presents a concept of a multi-functional agridrone type 4.0-MHRT, which is in the category of high-capacity professional drones (heavy lift drones). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the recent rise in the price of energy and grains, purchasing high-quality pelletized food has caused significant challenges for small and medium-sized fishing farms. The present article aims to assist breeders and farmers with limited financial resources in producing high quality feed by providing in detail the design and performance of a wet pelletizing equipment. The proposed pelletizing technology demonstrated high efficiency in use, reduced operating expenses, and a high productivity. Four different feed mixes were processed using the pelleting equipment, functioning with a 5 mm die. The experimental results indicated a maximum processing rate of 100 kg/h at an average pelletizing efficiency of 91.5%. The total pelletizing capacity of 0.8 - 1 tons per day is sufficient to provide feed for a medium-sized fishing farm, reducing dependence on the feed market and allowing for a simple nutritional mix customization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Walnut is a species that can be grown in a temperate climate, has a fruit with a high content of essential nutrients, vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates and amino acids, necessary to maintain human health and can be consumed both fresh and after processing or maturation. In order to obtain the walnut kernel for direct consumption, the walnut must pass through a whole processing flux. After harvesting, which can be done both manually or using mechanized means, the walnut kernel must be cleaned of both the green coating and the shell. First apply the process of washing and cleaning of impurities and green peel, calibration of nuts, then enter the process of splitting walnuts, separating them, sizing walnut kernels into fractions, cleaning the core of dust and various foreign particles. The last steps can be, drying, packing or storing them depending on how we intend to preserve the nuts (with box or just the core) and market requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a variant of hydrostatic transmission in open circuit that replaces the classical mechanic transmission; for both variants are analyzed parameters such as energy efficiency, power, lost power, etc. Hydrostatic transmission has specific advantages that are deriving from positioning the generator on the ground such as: nacelle mass reduction that will reduce the price of the construction and the simplification of the energy transmitting chain. Energy transmitting and summing from multiple wind turbines is much easier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Establishment of walnut plantations can be a successful business in the medium and long period of time. In terms of planting technology, maintenance, harvesting and recovery of the walnut kernel, it is not needed for a considerable effort from both the financial and the labor force. Harvesting and peeling walnuts from the green cover can become one of the easiest stages in the exploitation of walnut plantations. In this context, existing walnut harvesting machines and equipment on the market can ensure and meet the farmer's requirements. Self-propelled, or towed walnut harvesters can also be used on sloping land. The existence of nut shakers makes it possible to shorten the harvesting period and increase the harvesting efficiency for large plantation areas. The harvesting period of walnuts differs from one variety to another and even from one tree to another. It can be considered that even at the level of a tree the nuts have different harvesting phases (nuts usually have a massive crown), depending on their position. Depending on the variety that has been planted, and the geographical position of the walnut culture, distinguishes three categories of walnut ripening periods - early, semi-early and late. If the harvesting and preservation of walnuts is done in strict compliance with the harvesting technologies and their preservation, can last for years without losing the taste qualities. Due to the very high demand on the market, the development of a walnut plantation business on large areas can become very attractive. Considering that young walnuts have the crown formed without the intervention of the human factor, we have new evidence that walnut plantations are easy to maintain compared to other types of plantations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a series of experimental studies on the use of an oleic extract, produced by steam separation utilizing a prototype distillation equipment. The separation process is performed with the use of wet saturated steam under pressure, using as raw material twigs and buds of dwarf silver fir. Since the volatile extracts of aromatic plants do not bring a direct nutritional contribution to the seeds subjected to germination, the germination increase and the root growth of the plants can be obtained only from the exercise of the anti-microbial, anti-oxidant and insect-repellent effect. The use of essential oils in the protection of seeds and rhizosphere is an ecological method because it does not negatively affect the number and frequency of species of useful microorganisms. The nutritional relationship that is established between the seeds treated with volatile oils and the germination bed can be influenced by the changing proportions of microbial populations with beneficial effects on productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In agrotechnical practice, it was found that between qualitative indices, which express the sowing precision achieved by precision planters determined in the laboratory, and those determined under operating conditions, that there are certain differences, which are sometimes quite significant. The decrease in the value of the quality indices was manifested by the increase of the number of mistakes, either of the number of double planting holes (with at least two seeds), or of the number of missing planting holes. Both cases are unfavorable for the agricultural producer, generating production losses. This paper discusses the influence of the degree of soil grinding on sowing precision in operating conditions, by determining the spectrum of the vibrations induced in the mechanical structure of row units of a precision planter in contact with the soil of three different plots for three working speeds: 4, 6, and 8 km·h−1. Later, the vibrations were simulated under laboratory conditions, on the stand, by means of rubber hemispheres (with diameters between 30 and 100 mm, corresponding to soil fractions resulting from the determination of the degree of soil grinding) mounted on rubber bands, which actuated the seed meters, for testing under an accelerated regime, outside of the optimal agricultural periods (out of season: beginning mid-May until the end of March), in order to obtain the accuracy of the precision planters. It was found that the sowing precision determined in stationary conditions on the stand, and on a plot with an appropriate degree of seedbed preparation, decreased between 2.92% (at 4 km·h−1) and 6.67% (at 8 km·h−1). The main objective of the tests was to reduce labor costs, which was necessary for the staff involved for determining the qualitative indices of work in real field operating conditions, eliminating fuel consumption, while reducing the duration of testing dependent on meteorological factors (season, temperatures, and precipitation, etc.). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent technological development aimed on increasing performances of electrochemical energy storage systems and the new advances of electric motors have created new opportunities for electrical equipment manufacturers in terms of autonomy, performance and stability over time. The development of electric vehicles reported a strong expansion lately, however, electric farm tractors operating in off-road environment are not yet considered interesting for the large equipment manufacturers, due to their high-power operation needs and the small capacity that energy storage systems may offer. One interesting research direction is assessing the opportunity of charging batteries directly in the field, using photovoltaic sources, located close to the land to be processed. In order to address to this important electric vehicle limitation, new technology is needed which will allow the batteries to be charged during the operation of the vehicle, or to recharge near the area to be tilled. Some models are equipped with replaceable battery pack, which can be easily sent on charging and replaced with a new fully charged pack. The present paper examines the ground area requirements for the installation of a photovoltaic station, designed to charge a prototype tractor model, produced by INMA Bucharest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vibrations usually aren't wanted in any technical system. This rule applies also to agricultural tractors, since their apparition could affect the normal functioning of the machine. One new type of agricultural tractors are the electrical ones, which have appeared in nowadays agriculture because of the need to protect the environment and to mitigate the technology's negative impact on the environment. Because of the electrical engine construction, this will generate less vibration during normal functioning, fact which will attenuate also the tractor's total vibration level. Because transportation is one very important work for which the electrical tractor could be used, its vibration comportment during this type of work is of particular interest for engineers. This paper presents researches done in order to assess the vibration level of an experimental model electric tractor during transportation work. The experiments were performed on the experimental plots from INMA Bucharest on a total distance of 3 km. The raw data for longitudinal, transversal and vertical directions were recorded and processed in order to obtain the RMS values for vibration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent decades in Romania and in many other regions of the world, there is a high frequency of drought years, to three years out of every five. This climate negatively affects the productivity of agricultural crops, and agricultural research must find solutions to diversify the assortment of crops that in tougher environmental conditions guarantee the stability and profitability of agriculture. One of the safest solutions is the cultivation of sorghum, whether for grain or biomass, which due to good drought resistance, the ability to withstand high temperatures and capitalize on poorly fertile land is superior by the yields of all crops and especially, cereals and fodder plants. In the pedoclimatic conditions from the Center of Moldova, starting with 2018 year, were initiated some researches regarding the optimization of the cultivation technology for grain sorghum, in order to create a technology in relation to the new climatic conditions and in relation to the protection of the environment. The results obtained on average over two agricultural years, 2018 and 2019, indicated a very large variation of grain production depending on the sowing density provided and on the applied mineral fertilizers, this being between 4074 kg/ha and 10234 kg/ha. The best results were obtained in the variants sown with 30 g.g./sqm and fertilized with N150P80 with and without the application of the biostimulator Aminosol. From the point of view of economic efficiency, the variant sown with 30 g.g./sqm and fertilized with N150P80 was the most profitable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, the climate changes have more and more manifested by prolonged draught periods, while population number is continuously growing, therefore the agricultural production per surface unit should be increased, in order to cover the people food needs. View the reduce water resources, promoting new techniques and technologies able to efficiently valorize the water coming from different sources, with reduced energy consume, is very important. In vineyards and orchards, water is conducted along the row or is uniformly stocked by means of continuous or interrupted (compartmented) furrows. This paper aims at analyzing the construction and operating method of a soil modelling equipment in compartmented furrows, simultaneously in two furrows in a single interval, PCVM2,2+EMBC2-0, in tree and vine plantations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents some aspects regarding the technology of hemp cultivation (or Canabis Sativa as its specialty designation), this plant having the greatest capacity of industrialization among all the technical plants: nothing is thrown away, everything is capitalized and the products obtained are of an outstanding variety, starting from the ordinary rope until the medicinal or cosmetic substances, vehicles or construction materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Choosing functional and structural characteristics of the equipment on the technological flow of any milling unit is influenced primarily by the physical properties of intermediate products of grist. The paper presents results of experimental research on the physical properties of grist (coefficient of static friction - on three types of surfaces, the angle of natural slope, density, surface area, porosity) in the plane sifter compartment of the second grinding mill for a unit of 4.2 t/h in Romania. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The artificial drying of grain seeds is widespread to ensure that they are preserved, as reducing the water content allows products to be stored for long periods of time without the need for complex storage facilities. The proposed drying installation is a low-capacity pilot one, which can change and monitor in real time a series of important parameters of the drying process. By means of the CFD simulation was optimized the construction of the cylindrical box and of the deflectors. This leads to reaching a uniform drying and to reducing the energy consumptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was done to improve the wastewater treatment efficiency of the wastewater treatment plants which are found within the recirculated aquaculture systems. Initially, the research experiments were done in laboratory conditions with synthetic wastewater. The mobile bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) technology was improved by some of the authors. A new material and a new shape for biofilm carriers were proposed, realized and tested. Improvements in both wastewater treatment efficiency and the quantity of attached biofilm on the improved biofilm carriers were obtained. The capability of the MBBR to reduce the carbon and nitrogen compounds was also investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The manner in which we obtain our energy represents one of today's priorities in the context of climate changes and of increased levels of pollution worldwide. The orientation towards renewable energy was first triggered by the inevitable and rapid depletion of fossil fuels, but also by a more active involvement of authorities in problems related to environmental protection. Biomass is one of the most important sources of renewable energy and has the advantage that after an adequate processing, it can be used in the same purposes as fossil fuels. The paper presents a series of experimental researches for assessing the benefits of introducing additives (corn starch) in the recipes for obtaining pellets from agricultural biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the lab, three sorghum hybrids for grains cultivated in the Center of Moldova were analyzed qualitatively, two of them having white grains, and one having red grains. Two of the hybrids, one with white grains (Albanus) and one with red grains (Alize) came from Euralis SAS France, and the third, with white grains, came from N.A.R.D.I. Fundulea Romania (Fundulea 32). The results obtained from the laboratory investigations indicated that the variation of the chemical composition of the sorghum grain depending on the cultivated hybrid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents a synthesis regarding bioreactors systems used at waste treatment in order to obtain bioenergy (biogas) by dry digestion. Biogas production is a good way of satisfying national and European regulations becoming more stringent in relation to the use of organic waste for energy production, followed by recycling as fertilizer. Biogas technologies contribute to reducing the volume of waste and of costs for their disposal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The field of producing solid fuels from biomass has registered a considerable increase, due to the existence of important quantities of biomass that represent an important source of renewable energy. Pellets are one of the most common solid biofuels, being used for both household use and for producing energy. The article presents considerations on the production of pellets from various types of biomass using specially designed equipment and a series of considerations for the best parameters to be used for producing these types of pellets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biological fermentation represents one of the waste recycling technologies that can with stands a higher degree of waste capitalisation. It can be applied on wastes with a high organic content and it is possible to obtain a gaseous fuel (biogas) with different uses: heating, cooking, electricity generation, the leftover residues that represents a non-polluting material can be used with great results in agriculture as fertilizer.A number of factors including the type and composition of the substrate, temperature, pH, moisture content and the structure of the bioreactor influence the yield of biogas. Temperature has a major influence in biogas production obtain by anaerobic digestion. The temperature effect on biogas quantity obtain in a small capacity plant was studied in this paper. Experiments were done at a temperature of 25°C, 35°C, respectively 45°C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Miscanthus giganteus biomass has a very good quality for combustion (similar as a light coal or wood, up to 19.6 MJ/kg dry matter) and has positive ecological impact for marginal land that makes this crop suitable as bioenergy resources for small scale heating systems. The most important technology to make easily available Miscanthus giganteus feedstock on the market is biomass briquetting or pelleting. This study was conducted to determine the capability of mixing Miscanthus giganteus biomass with other vegetable biomass (straw, wood sawdust, or other energetic plants) to obtain briquettes and pellets. Different characteristics were studied as: percentage of variable biomass mixed with Miscanthus (30%, 50%, 70%), humidity variation (wt = 9 – 13%) and quality of final product. The efficient densification process of various biomass plants depends on these properties and on used technologies. Combustion properties of mixed biomass briquettes and pellets (ash content and composition, calorific values, emissions characteristics) have been determined as well. Results are showing that slag problems may be disturbing the combustion process and that the temperature is a critical factor (best results in combustion efficiency are above 1000 °C). In order to ensure the productivity for making available constantly processed products (briquettes, pellets), different heating installations need adjustments to increase the efficiency for mixed biomass combustion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the main sources of biomass used in the process of compaction for obtaining briquettes and pellets. Were identified the main thermo-physical-chemical properties by types of agricultural and forestry solid biomass. It also presents the methods and materials used to obtain thermo-physical-chemical properties of agricultural and forestry biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precision agriculture (AP) - is a model that will be applied in all developed countries and aims an input modulate management (seeds, irrigation water, fertilizer, herbicide, insecticide) through soil tillage adaptation to the parcel heterogeneity characteristics. Precision agriculture, as a mecatronics application, leaves room for a new methodology (that aims towards a new agricultural system) that can be the key to many issues. Crop quality and yield increase is necessary in modern agricultural systems. A necessary requirement for production costs is that they must be lowered as much as possible in order to guarantee market copetitivity. This implies the use of complex management and the control of systems in order to regulate, efficiently a large quantity of physical interactive variables. Recent progress in hardware and software like microprocessors and microcontrollers, lead to complex control and task management integration in agricultural exploitations. Productivity maps show the production variation in a field and represent an important source of information for the farmer. The production monitor is just a piece from the information gathering system in precision agriculture, with the help of which we can make comparisons of production values on a multitude of time tables. The article presents productivity map models made on soils in different locations in Romania. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural waste has a very high potential for the biogas yielding process. Using the waste has its advantages in the fact that it is a pollutant factor for the environment, it helps the sustainible development of the energies reserve and leads to an overall drop in pollution due to low emmissions. Biogas obtained from animal manure and/or agricultural residue can be used by farmers in the purpose of lowering energy costs, in this way they can transform a problem into an opportunity. Through the biogas release process, the feeding material is transformed into a nitrogen rich fertilizer that can be used for the soil, without other interventions, and so the manure (pork and bird droppings, etc.) doesn't need treatment. In this paper the current state of national and international biogas use, new solutions, optimization methods, alternative materials and future possible opportunities, different results obtained over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precision farming involves the collection of detailed information about the characteristics of agricultural operations. Electro-conductivity (EC) of soil is one of the tests easier and less costly for agriculture, which can be performed today. Electro-conductivity (EC) is the ability of a material to transmit (conduct) an electrical current and is usually expressed in miliSiemens / meter (MS / m). Electro-conductivity (EC) of soil is a measurand that characterizes many soil properties which affect the productivity of crops. These include the water content, soil texture, soil organic matter (OM), depth to clay layer, the capacity of cation exchange (CEC), salinity, calcium, magnesium. Measurements of electro-conductivity (EC) of soil can add value to agricultural operations if they can be used to help explain variations in agricultural production. Article shows electro-conductivity maps models of the prepared soil in different locations in Romania and electro-conductivity correlation with the physico-chemical properties of these soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents theoretical and experimental research studying the influence of process parameters on the quality of biomass pellets. A validated mathematical model was developed, expressing the density of biomass pellets as determined by moisture content, compression pressure, process heat, the initial density of the material, pelleting speed and initial volume of the material. The experiments for determining the influence of these parameters on the compression of biomass into pellets and optimizing the process were conducted on a heated single pellet compression device, using fir sawdust as raw material. To describe and study the process, four input and control parameters were varied—raw material moisture, pelleting speed, maximum force applied and pelleting die temperature. From the experiments, it was noticed that overall, moisture and pressure have the most important effect on the compression process and pelleting speed, and heat applied also affected the process. Pellet density decreased when pelleting speed and material moisture increase and the density increased with a higher compression pressure and higher heat during the process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]