Soybean Moisture Content Research Articles

Automatic Cylinder-Speed Control for Combines

ABSTRACT AN automatic feedback-control system was developed to adjust the combine threshing-cylinder speed bas-ed on a continuous-flow measurement of soybean moisture. Data are presented on the results of laboratory tests of the moisture sensor and the complete control system. Data are presented on variations in soybean moisture content caused by both time of day and soybean location in the field. Moisture-content variations were influenced more by different harvest times than by different posi-tions within the field. The moisture-sensor accuracy was affected by changes in the mass flow rate of grain. Control-system stability was dependent on speed of the adjustment motor.

Fracture Resistance of Soybeans to Compressive Loading

ABSTRACT THE fracture resistance of whole soybeans was measured in terms of average compressive force, deformation, and toughness at seedcoat rupture. Amsoy-71, Corsoy, and Williams varieties at moisture contents of 8, 11, 14, and 17 percent w.b. were quasi-statically loaded in a horizontal hilum and vertical hilum position. Force required to initiate seedcoat rupture decreased as soybean moisture content in-creased from 8 to 17 percent. Soybeans loaded in the vertical hilum position consistently developed seedcoat cracks at lower levels of force than those in the horizontal hilum position. Maximum toughness occurred in the 11 to 14 percent moisture range, indicating an optimum moisture range for absorbing compressive energy. Soybeans loaded in the vertical hilum position required less energy for seedcoat rupture than those in the horizontal hilum position. Maximum allowable com-pressive energy levels often fell below the impact energy levels that would occur during normal dropping and other handling operations.

Studies on Extraction of Soybeans by Liquid Butane. IV.

Soybean proteins are liable to undergo denaturation by heating. Particularly, when the moisture content of soybeans is high, protein denaturation takes place readily even at relatively low temperature levels. Even in the case of butane extraction, the occurrence of protein denaturation is conceivable when extracted flakes from soybeans of a high moisture content is subjected to a local overheating in the commercial desolventizer. Extracted flakes from raw soybeans without preliminary drying also have invariably too high moisture content to be accepted normally in the market. It is therefore necessary to reduce the moisture content of soybean flakes by drying without causing any denaturation of their proteins.In this paper, results of studies on drying soybean flakes using a through circulation dryer were reported. This dryer operated under the optimum condition has been found very effective, giving dried flakes of a moisture content of about 8% or less. The decrease of soluble proteins during drying is only 1% or less (on the basis of total proteins). Also the data on the design of a 200 tons per day dryer are presented.