Effects of weather on temperatures of the grain bin components and headspace of a 10-m diameter corrugated steel bin.

Abstract

The mean global temperatures are increasing as a result of climate change. To understand how the change in ambient weather influences the temperature of the stored grain, the temperature fluctuation patterns of the floor, roof, sidewalls, and headspace were monitored from mid-August 2019 to the end of October 2021 in Winnipeg, Canada. The bin was filled with 300 t of wheat at an initial average moisture content of 12.5 ± 0.1% (wet basis). The thermocouples were installed at 17, 9, and 12 locations on the floor, roof (outside), and sidewalls (outside) of the bin, respectively. Sixteen temperature and relative humidity sensors were installed at different locations with varying distances from the surface of the grain in the headspace. The ambient weather (air temperature (°C), relative humidity (%), barometric pressure (kPa), average solar radiation (W/m2), precipitation (mm), wind speed (m/s), and wind direction (degrees with reference to the north)) were also measured near the bin during the study period. The temperatures of the roof, sidewalls, and headspace were influenced by the ambient temperature and solar radiation. In Year II (November 2020 – October 2021), the floor, roof, sidewalls, and headspace temperatures were higher by 2.1 ± 0.1°C, 3.9 ± 0.1°C, 3.5 ± 0.2°C, and 1.9 ± 0.1°C than that in Year I (November 2019 - October 2020), respectively. The ambient temperature increased by 1.8°C in year II, compared to year I. These results can be used in the prediction of temperatures in grain bins caused by weather changes.