Application of Advanced Fluid Control Technology in Energy Saving of the Pneumatic Plug Tray Seeding System

This study aims to realize energy saving in the pneumatic plug tray seeding system (PPTSS) via advanced fluid control technology. The pneumatic plug tray seeding system was designed and developed for use with Brassicaceae crops. A mathematical model of the pneumatic system was established and both simulations and experiments were conducted. A fractional order sliding mode controller (FOSMC) was proposed to reduce control signals and achieve energy saving in the pneumatic system. A PC-Based real-time control environment was established using MATLAB/SIMULINK for trajectory tracking control. Results of the study indicate that control signals were saved 7.9% to traditional control methods by the proposed FOSMC with smaller tracking errors. High precision seeding was realized at a speed of 60 trays per hour, with a single-seeding rate of more than 95% and a missed-seeding rate of less than 3%. The feasibility of the system was verified through germination rate experiments. Energy saving in the PPTSS was successfully achieved in this study through advanced control technology, contributing to carbon reduction in agriculture.