SUBSTANTIATION OF EQUIPMENT PARAMETERS FOR COMPACTING PLANT MATERIALS

The article addresses the development of foundational principles for improving the quality of plant product preservation. The application of the proposed technologies enables a reduction in nutrient losses in raw plant materials during storage. This assertion is supported by the results of both theoretical and experimental studies on the physical and mechanical properties of plant materials, as well as on the energy, operational, and technological performance of the equipment, including its structural design parameters and modes of operation. The use of the proposed technology enhances nutrient preservation by preventing cell structure damage and preserving plant juices, while also minimizing internal voids and reducing the amount of free air within the compacted monolith. Consequently, this leads to a decrease in the cost of dietary components. The implementation of the proposed technological process in haylage production significantly reduces nutrient losses during storage. Furthermore, using plant raw materials stored with this method results in lower milk production costs compared to traditional storage techniques.