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In recent years, pneumatic method of stigma separation has been considered by some researchers. In this regard, computer simulation of the process is necessary as well as determination of the engineering properties of the various flower parts. According to preliminary observations, the number of flower components, their characteristics, and the simulation of the separation process, all depend on the flower cutting location. In this study, cutting of flower was done in two modes. In the first mode, the flower was cut from the top of the receptacle and divided into three parts including petals (2), stamens (3) and a three-branch stigma. In the second mode, the cutting accomplished from the bottom of the receptacle and the flower divided into two parts including flower without stigma, and a three-branch stigma. Variations in weight, density and terminal velocity of different flower components were studied as a function of moisture content. According to the results of this study and in contrast to most of the published papers, vertical wind tunnels are not suitable for pneumatic separation of saffron stigma. In order to provide required information for computer simulation, the flower components were considered as spherical particles, and then their aerodynamic diameters were calculated using the proposed flowchart. The results showed that the difference in aerodynamic diameter values in the two-section cutting mode reach to significant amount of 70%. Results of present study also indicate that the appropriate stigma separator mechanism should have singular feeding system and ability to provide turbulent air flow. Preliminary results obtained from computer simulations are hopeful in the case of using dual internal tunnels equipped with rotational flow.

Keywords: Aerodynamic properties, Pneumatic separation, Terminal velocity, Saffron flower

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