LINSEC: the software for modeling and simulation of grain drying systems

Abstract

-Considering the importance of mathematical models in the development and analysis of grain drying systems, and understanding the need to develop interfaces that will improve the accessibility of these models, this work aimed to: a) implement the Thompson model to simulate grain drying at high temperatures; b) develop an appropriate language to generate drying models; and c) develop a graphical interface with the goal of facilitating user understanding. Thus the computational program LINSEC that was created using the programming language Visual Basic 6.0. LINSEC was highly effective for the modeling and simulation of drying systems and in providing simulated values close to reality. LINSEC is highly flexible and user-friendly during the modeling of several types of dryers.Key words: Grain dryer. Mathematical models. Thompson's model. RESUMO -Tendo em vista a importância dos modelos matemáticos no desenvolvimento e análise de sistemas de secagem, além do conhecimento e necessidade de desenvolver interfaces de modo a aprimorar a acessibilidade e uso destes modelos, este trabalho visou: a) implementar o modelo de Thompson de modo a simular a secagem de grãos a altas temperaturas; b) desenvolver uma linguagem apropriada para gerar sistemas de secagem; e c) desenvolver uma interface gráfica com o objetivo de facilitar o entendimento do usuário, utilizando-se a linguagem Visual Basic 6.0. O programa computacional LINSEC, demonstrou uma alta efetividade na simulação de secagem, fornecendo valores próximos à realidade. É flexível e de fácil utilização pelo usuário durante a simulação para diferentes tipos de secadores. It has been proved that mathematical modeling and simulation are important tools in the development, design and analysis of grain drying systems. These activities normally require programming language skills. Therefore, this scenario indicates the need to develop graphical interfaces that can aid modeling and simulation of drying systems. Therefore, this work presents a computational toolset that provides modeling and simulation drying systems with a graphical interface. Palavras MATERIAL AND METHODSA computational program known as LINSEC was implemented through the use of the program Visual Basic, version 6.0. It is a graphically oriented simulation toolset that allows the assemblage of computational models of grain dryers and simulation of the drying process according to Thompson's model. The organized block structure of the model permits the modeling and simulation of several types of grain drying systems.The blocks are related to air, products and dryers. Each block represents an integral specific part of the drying system. LINSEC disposes of fifteen blocks. In order to model a dryer system, users need to select blocks according to dryer configuration.LINSEC works in the following way: (a) the blocks that represent the drying system parts are inserted in the workspace; (b) the blocks are connected accordingly to the logic that governs the drying systems, leading to the flow sheet of air and p...