Natural Air/Low Temperature In-Bin Drying Strategies For Three Different Climatic Regions in Argentina

DIEGO DE LA TORRE; RICARDO BARTOSIK; JUAN RODRIGUEZ; DIRK MAIER

Chicago, Illinois, EEUU

Congreso; International Grain Quality and Technology Congress; 2008

The typical ambient air temperature and relative humidity pattern of a given location has major effects on the performance of natural air/low temperature (NA/LT) in-bin drying systems and the energy consumption demanded for the drying operation. The Post-Harvest Aeration and Storage Simulation Tool- Finite Difference Method and the weather data for three distinct locations of the grain producing area of Argentina were used to evaluate four NA/LT in-bin drying strategies with 3 different airflow rates (1, 1.5 and 2 m3min-1t-1) for drying yellow dent corn with two initial moisture content (20 and 17 %). The objectives of this study were: to develop an historical weather database for three locations with distinctive weather patterns in Argentina; to use simulation to determine the best NA/LT in-bin drying strategy for corn in the three different climatic regions of Argentina; to determine the minimum suitable airflow rate for drying; to determine the maximum initial moisture content (IMC); and to estimate the energy consumption derived from the drying operation. The Int. Str. resulted the best strategy to dry corn in the three regions, with both IMCs (17 and 20%), excepting Reconquista (warmest location), were the CCH3 was the only option to dry corn with 20% IMC (with significant overdrying). The minimum suitable airflow rate for NA/LT in-bin drying was 1 and 1.5m3min-1t-1 for Balcarce and Oliveros, respectively. In Reconquista the minimum airflow to dry corn with 17% IMC was 1 m3min-1t-1.It would not be recommended to dry corn with 20% IMC in thid location, even with 2m3min-1t-1. The total energy consumption to dry corn with the two IMC and in the three regions ranged from 17.11 to 35.48 kWh.point-1.ton-1.