CFD Analysis of Different Aeration Ducts on Temperature and Airflow in Stored Maize

Abstract

The conditions of temperature and airflow distribution in the mass of stored grains are highly influenced by the configuration of the aeration ducts. However, silos are large structures, and the physical experiments on them become expensive and slow. Thus, this study aimed model and evaluate the temperature and airflow distribution in a maize mass, stored in a metal silo with different geometries of aeration ducts, using CFD (computational fluid dynamic). CFD was used to model and evaluate aeration ducts of square, ring, double bar and single bar shape. The proposed model was validated from experimental data. The airflow distribution and temperature in the grain mass were analyzed at different points. The ducts of a square and a ring shape showed better distributions of airflow in the grain mass, with averages of 0.00236 m s-1 and 0.00275 m s-1, respectively. The square shape aeration duct, presented better temperature values in the middle layer of the grain mass during aeration, with average 25.09 °C. CFD can be used in decision making for the best design of a silo, saving financial resources and time, as long as the parameters used in the simulation are reliable and represent the reality.