A simulation model of temperatures in stored grain

Abstract

Temperature is one of the most crucial factors limiting the distribution and abundance of anthropods and fungi that contaminate stored grain. A mathematical model, based on the finite-difference method of calculating heat transfer, has been developed to simulate the temperatures in a cylindrical bin of grain. The main variables that can be studied using this computer model are: thermal properties of the grain, initial temperature of the grain, ambient air temperature, wind velocity, diameter of the bin, and type of bin-wall material. Simulation results indicated that grain stored on the Canadian Prairies would remain at lower temperatures and so would probably be in better condition than grain stored at the shipping points of Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal. In small bins, pests may not be able to overwinter while in large bins temperatures remain warmer and many pests may survive. Painting galvanized-steel bins white has a considerable effect on the temperatures of grain in the bin.