Computer Aided Grain Aeration Management: an Antidote to Grain Deterioration in Metal Silo

Abstract

Aeration is very important for good grain storage as it helps to maintain uniform grain temperatures, minimizes moisture migration, and prevents quality loss of stored grain. The temperature of grain stock was monitored with the aid of temperature sensors installed inside the silo bins. Each silo contained twenty sensors located on five probes at different sections of the silo bin. Grain was received to experimented metal silos at 300C. The parameters for grain before reception were 1% broken grain, 1% mould, 1% foreign matters, 68- 75KG/HL weight and 12% moisture content. Grain temperature rose to 450C within three weeks of storage. Temperature readings were taken in the morning and at evening times. Aeration system (fans) was operated several times, each time for long hours (≥5hours) enough to equalize temperature throughout the entire grain mass. Aeration fans were used to rapidly cool grain to 250C and then held it between 25 - 410C for over a year. The power requirement increased as air flow rate and grain depth increased. Aeration fans were controlled automatically from the operating control room while dehumidifiers were installed on the aeration fans. Loss recorded at manually operated metal silo was compared with the one from the silo monitored with computer software developed. While aeration could be used to lower grain temperature, minor changes took place on the moisture content of the grain mass. Loss was reduced to < 1% as against 5%. Aeration can be better monitored economically with the use of a computer system.