Experimental prototype of silo-dryer-aerator of grains using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) system

Abstract

The aim of this study was to size up and evaluate a fixed bed experimental silo-dryer-aerator with four static grain drying cells for segregation lots, through simulations with mathematical equations and a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) system. The average specific energy consumption of the dryer was 2,998.56 kJ kg-1 of evaporated water. At the global scale, the amount of heat needed to complete a grain drying was 22,283.84 kcal (5,325.96 kJ kg-1) and the amount of heat required to complete the cooling of a stored grain mass was 3,525 kcal (842.49 kJ kg-1). The drying equipment responded positively to the dynamic aspects of air, distribution, flow, pressure, speed and heating. The results obtained allow us to conclude that the silo-dryer-aerator prototype was characterized as a viable and sustainable tool, making it possible to perform the drying and storage of grains in standardized and segregated lots, according to genetic characterization, minimizing quantitative and qualitative losses.

Evaluation of coatings for application in raffia big bags in conditioned storage of soybean cultivars in seed processing units

“…Storage is an important post-harvest stage, the main objective of which is to conserve seed quality by reducing the speed and intensity of the deterioration process as much as possible [2][3][4][5]. When storage conditions are not adequate, soybean seeds suffer viability losses owing to the increased metabolic activity that promotes a reduction in their physiological quality [6,7].…”

Adaptation of technological packaging for conservation of soybean seeds in storage units as an alternative to modified atmospheres

“…The monitoring of the parameters of temperature, relative humidity, and water content of the seeds is decisive for maintaining quality throughout storage [6][7][8]. Seeds quality cannot be improved during storage, but a temperature-and relative humidity-controlled environment allows preserving the seeds until the appropriate period for sowing, without reducing quality [9][10][11].…”

Modeling effectiveness analysis of momentum and heat transfer in a fixed bed silo-dryer through computational fluid-dynamics

“…The geometry of the equipment was created in the software GAMBIT ® , determined by the silo-dryer constructed by Coradi and Lemes (2019), a cylindrical dryer with 1.5 m of height and 0.2 m of diameter. The GAMBIT ® software was chosen for allowing a precise manual construction of the mesh, which permitted better cell regularity.…”

“…Consequently, an alternative is the use of fixed bed dryers, given the seeds are immobile inside the equipment, preventing major mechanical stress to the seeds. By combining both drying and storage procedures, the silo-dryer is capable of controlling the storage temperature simultaneously to the drying operation, potentially reducing damages to the material and operation costs (Coradi;Lemes, 2019). Palacin et al (2009) concluded experimentally that the use of silo-dryers can reduce the energy consumption for coffee cherry seeds drying.…”

“…This work was based on the experimental and numerical study on soy seed drying by Coradi and Lemes (2019). By using the same initial and boundary conditions, as well as representing the equipment as described in their study, this work aims at formulating a similar numeric methodology applicable to coffee beans.…”