by Rodie Jelleberg, Superior Grain Equipment, USA
With grain prices so low, cost-cutting measures take higher priority than usual. What can be trimmed or eliminated? What can be done more efficiently? Grain dryers are a good place to start trimming because they can pull a lot of unnecessary energy.
Selecting a new grain dryer may be the answer to significantly reducing the farm’s fuel consumption — and keeping the energy budget in the green.
Thorough research helps determine which dryer will best suit each operation long before pouring a concrete pad. Consider grain quality, energy efficiency, minimal maintenance, easy expansion capabilities and safety features, which all contribute to one objective — reaching the highest return on investment.
Dryer design: Mix it up or cross it over?
Growers tend to rely on one of two dryer designs in an effort to consistently dry their grain for the highest bushel payment. Cross-flow dryers are the most widely used continuous flow dryers. Typically found in a tower dryer, this drying method uses a central heating chamber in the middle of the unit, and the grain fills in around the burner.
Its high temperatures work to dry grain quickly by forcing hot air through the grain from the inside out. While effective at drying grain quickly, tower dryers tend to be less consistent due to the heating design, with kernels near the burner becoming over dried, and those near the wall being underdried.
In contrast, Superior mixed-flow dryers heat grain more slowly, but at equal, consistent rates that reduce the potential for stress cracking. Heat is pushed through alternating rows of heat and exhaust ducts, conditioning the grain from both sides to keep it the same temperature throughout the process. The consistent, tempered heat from the under fans ensures that grain isn’t underdried or overdried.
Read more HERE.
With grain prices so low, cost-cutting measures take higher priority than usual. What can be trimmed or eliminated? What can be done more efficiently? Grain dryers are a good place to start trimming because they can pull a lot of unnecessary energy.
Selecting a new grain dryer may be the answer to significantly reducing the farm’s fuel consumption — and keeping the energy budget in the green.
Thorough research helps determine which dryer will best suit each operation long before pouring a concrete pad. Consider grain quality, energy efficiency, minimal maintenance, easy expansion capabilities and safety features, which all contribute to one objective — reaching the highest return on investment.
Dryer design: Mix it up or cross it over?
Growers tend to rely on one of two dryer designs in an effort to consistently dry their grain for the highest bushel payment. Cross-flow dryers are the most widely used continuous flow dryers. Typically found in a tower dryer, this drying method uses a central heating chamber in the middle of the unit, and the grain fills in around the burner.
Its high temperatures work to dry grain quickly by forcing hot air through the grain from the inside out. While effective at drying grain quickly, tower dryers tend to be less consistent due to the heating design, with kernels near the burner becoming over dried, and those near the wall being underdried.
In contrast, Superior mixed-flow dryers heat grain more slowly, but at equal, consistent rates that reduce the potential for stress cracking. Heat is pushed through alternating rows of heat and exhaust ducts, conditioning the grain from both sides to keep it the same temperature throughout the process. The consistent, tempered heat from the under fans ensures that grain isn’t underdried or overdried.
Read more HERE.
The Global Miller
This blog is maintained by The Global Miller staff and is supported by the magazine Milling and Grain
which is published by Perendale Publishers Limited.
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