Concepedia

Abstract

ABSTRACT PERFORMANCE of ambient air wheat drying systems is simulated using weather data for St. Cloud, MN, Fargo, ND, and Grand Forks, ND. Evaluation criteria include energy use, completion date, moisture content distribution and dry-matter-decomposition. The results showed that operating the fan by humidistat control after the drying front reached the top of the bin, or shutting off the fan after September 15 when the drying front reached the top of the bin and completing drying in the spring, resulted in a reduction in energy use with deterioration levels comparable to continuous fan opera-tion. Dry-matter-decomposition levels increased rapidly above 19 percent moisture content.