Assessing the capability of electrical capacitance tomography for monitoring chopped maize mass flow rates in field forage harvesters

This study explores the potential and feasibility of Electrical Capacitance Tomography (ECT) for monitoring mass flow rates (MFR) of chopped maize in precision agriculture. The research, conducted using a stationary forage harvester stand, involved the analysis of whole Inagua maize samples weighing 5, 10, and 15 kg. These samples were further divided based on two moisture contents of 57% or 68%, and the geometric mean particle value was 9.39-12.69 mm, depending on the number of knives in the cutting unit. A 12-electrode capacitive sensor measured MFR, demonstrating less variation during calibration than a 6-electrode sensor. The study revealed a significant relationship between moisture content, particle size, and sensor capacitance, which was crucial for accurately converting capacitance measurements to MFR. The maximum mean value of the MFR was 3.18 kg·s^-1 ±0.93 kg·s^-1, compared to the theoretical 3.75 kg·s^-1. These findings have practical implications, highlighting the potential of ECT for precision agriculture applications. The study's results could significantly impact the development of precision farming technologies, particularly forage harvester monitoring systems. By providing a more accurate and reliable method for measuring mass flow rates, the ECT system could enhance the efficiency and quality of crop production. The study also underscores the need for further research, particularly in technology improvement, to improve measurement accuracy and adapt the ECT system to the dynamic field conditions of precision farming.