The influence of crop dryer operation parameters on the efficiency of energy recovery from extract air

Abstract

Crop drying, especially maize drying, occurs at low external air temperatures, which are lower than the extract air temperature. Therefore, using heat exchangers, to recover thermal energy from the extract air to preheat the cold and dry external air, results in a significant reduction in the primary energy demand for crop drying. The measurements of air parameters in the crop dryer, with a drying capacity of 19 Mg/h of maize, confirm the assumptions undertaken for the production of the heat recovery system. We apply the cross-counter-flow surface heat exchanger system to provide a significant improvement in the efficiency of crop drying. We perform the analysis of the thermal energy recovery system operation. Our results indicate the influence of the drying air set-point and the crop specific humidity on the efficiency of energy recovery from the exhaust air. We performed our measurements at different drying air temperature set-points and different crop relative humidity.

Comparison of Energy Consumption of Cereal Grain Dryer Powered by LPG and Hard Coal in Polish Conditions

“…To prepare grain storage, it must be dried to the appropriate moisture content. Usually, air with low relative humidity is used for drying [4]. The drying process can take place using adsorption beds, cooling processes, or hot air.…”