Control Strategies for Ambient Air Corn Drying

Abstract

Alow temperature, low airflow corn drying model was used to examine different fan control strategies for finishing ambient air corn drying in the spring. The major objective was to obtain a more uniform final corn moisture content through the bin than is currently possible with continuous fan operation. Twenty three years of weather data for St. Paul, Minnesota were used. The effects of these different controls on maximum corn deterioration, time required to finish drying, and energy savings as compared to continuous fan operation were also examined. No supplemental heat was used. Intermittant fan operation can result in more optimum final moisture contents and slightly reduced energy requirements but at the expense of increased corn deterioration and an extended finishing date. Rewetting control strategies which sought to rewet the bottom layers of corn after safe moisture contents had been reached resulted in a more uniform moisture profile through the bin but at the expense of extra fan run time.