SAPPHIRE grain composition analyzer

The article addresses the current problem of determining total and fractional content of weed and grain impurities in accordance with GOST 30483-97 «Grains. Methods for Determining Total and Fractional Content of Weed and Grain Impurities; Content of Small Grains and Granularity; Content of Wheat Grains Damaged by Sunn Pest; Content of Metal-Magnetic Impurity» [1]. The author concludes that the existing method for determining total and fractional content of weed and grain impurities under the specified GOST 30483-97 «Grains. Methods for Determining Total and Fractional Content of Weed and Grain Impurities; Content of Small Grains and Granularity; Content of Wheat Grains Damaged by Sunn Pest; Content of Metal-Magnetic Impurity» [1] is outdated and inefficient, proposing a new approach to determine total and fractional content of weed and grain impurities based on digital image analysis using neural networks. The aim of the article is to present the SAPPHIRE analyzer implementing optical computing as an innovative way to automate the procedure for determining total and fractional content of weed and grain impurities. The paper systematizes new material on the subject, introducing the term «optical computing method» into academic discourse. The main focus of the work is on describing the principle of operation of the SAPPHIRE analyzer as software-hardware solution for determining total and fractional content of weed and grain impurities. Based on practical experience operating the SAPPHIRE analyzer at enterprises in the Republic of Tatarstan, Siberia, and the Republic of Belarus, the author identifies possible application areas for the SAPPHIRE analyzer for grain crops. Particular emphasis is placed on the importance of standardizing the new method for determining total and fractional content of weed and grain impurities and developing preliminary national standard «Grains. Determination of Total and Fractional Content of Weed and Grain Impurities by Optical Computing Method», which would facilitate active introduction of new analysis methods into daily laboratory practice.