Simulation of Wheat Circulating Cross-flow Dryer

Abstract

Purpose: In Korea, wheat is dried using circulating cross-flow grain dryers. However, there is no research on wheat drying which can be utilized for the dryers. Therefore, this study developed and evaluated a simulation of the circulating cross-flow dryer, and examined the effects of various factors on drying performance. Methods: The simulation program was developed using drying models and was evaluated against wheat-drying experiments with a dryer having a 30-ton capacity. The influence of drying temperature, air volume, and grain falling rate on drying performance were examined through the simulation. Results: The experimental results validated the simulation program by showing the same root mean square error (RMSE) for moisture content (0.286%) and drying rate (0.056%/h) in both the experimental data and the simulation values. The appropriate wheat-drying parameter values, considering drying conditions, were determined to be 50°C for drying temperature, 500 m 3 /min for air volume, and a grain falling rate of 36.0 m 3 /h. Conclusions: The developed simulation program for circulating cross-flow dryers analyzed the influences of performance factors such as drying temperature, air volume, and falling rate on drying performance.