Peanut Drying Research Articles

Computer Simulation of Peanut Drying in a Windrow

ABSTRACT CONVENTIONAL peanut harvesting consists of a series of operations: digging, windrow drying, com-bining and artificial drying and curing. When to dig and combine are important questions to peanut producers. Any answer requires consideration of maximum yield and maturity; minimum quantity and quality losses dur-ing digging, windrow exposure and combining; mini-mum energy usage for subsequent artificial drying and curing; and optimum scheduling or management of the total harvesting operation. Effective analysis requires knowledge of weather parameters and their influence on each of these factors. Vedak and Young (1976) suggested certain procedures for computer simulation of the total harvesting opera-tion. Young (1977) described a procedure relating peanut drying in inverted windrows to ambient weather data. The objective of the study reported herein was to develop a model for simulation of peanut drying in inverted, random and downward windrow orientations; to determine model coefficients and their variation with orientation, digging date, year and weather data source; to compare the model's ability to represent the observed drying curves; and to verify the model with independent observations.

Potential for Aflatoxin Contamination in Peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) Before and Soon After Harvest—A Review

AbstractCertain environmental conditions, microbial and biological activities, and genotypes of the peanut interact to influence the vulnerability of the peanut fruit to invasion by Aspergillus flavus Link ex Fr. and to the elaboration of alfatoxin during pod development and in the harvesting and drying period. Management procedures during this time may influence the degree of fungal invasion and alfatoxin contamination. Such procedures include: rotating peanuts with other crops that reduce the soil population of A. flavus; using cultural practices that remove plant residues from around peanut plants; preventing drought stress and biological and harvest mechanical damage; harvesting at optimum pod maturity; and continuous safe and rapid drying of peanuts after digging. The potential for using genotypes identified to be resistant to seed colonization by Aspergillus species for breeding agronomically suitable cultivars with resistance to the aflatoxin‐producing fungus was explored. Factors found to be associated with resistance to fungal colonization of the peanut seed testa are cell structure, cell arranement, permeability, waxy surface, tannin content, and amino acid components. Field application of fungicides have not proven effective in controlling contamination by the fungus.

Peanut Drying with Solar Energy

ABSTRACT A solar drying facility was constructed for comparing three full-size peanut drying systems: (a) solar-heated water, (b) solar-heated air with rock storage, and (c) conventional liquified petroleum gas (LPG). Thirty six wagons of peanuts averaging 4180 kg initial weight and 17.5 percent initial moisture content (m.c.) were dried. Dryers had conventional drying fans and LPG burners. Heat energy from solar storage was used to preheat the air entering the fan. The water system with 82 m2 collector area and 5300 kg of storage, provided 41 percent of the heat energy used. The air/rock system with 140 m2 collector area and 103 Mg of rock storage averaged 74 percent solar con-tribution over the season. Total heat energy used per wagon was comparable for the conventional and air/rock systems. The water system used more heat energy than either of the other systems because of higher airflow and unlimited temperature rise, up to a maximum thermostat setting. Drying time was not significantly different among the three systems. Milling quality, as estimated by the Federal-State grading system, was not significantly dif-ferent among the systems but it did vary betwen tests. The results showed that the use of solar energy to reduce fossil fuel consumption for peanut drying is feasi-ble.

An Integrated Shed Solar Collector for Peanut Drying

ABSTRACT IN cooperation with a farmer in Greensville County, VA, an integrated shed solar collector for a peanut and grain drying facility was designed, constructed, and per-formance tested during late fall, 1977. Solar radiation, LP-gas and electricity consumption, amount of peanuts dried, and temperatures at 24 locations throughout the facility were recorded. Dryer performance, collector effi-ciency, and economic feasibility are discussed.

A Method for Automatic Cutoff of Laboratory Peanut Dryers

ABSTRACT A method to automatically cut off a laboratory peanut dryer near a prescribed moisture content is describ-ed. Sample final weight is predicted from initial weight and initial kernel and hull moisture contents and is set on a modified balance beam scale that has a microswitch to cut off the dryer when the peanut kernels reach the desired moisture level. Errors associated with the method were largest for peanuts with initial kernel moisture con-tents greater than 26 percent. Test results indicated that the method will provide better control of peanut kernel moisture than is obtained with current manual methods.

Peanut Drying Energy Consumption

Abstract Total energy consumption and drying times were determined for drying peanuts with various equipment and procedures commonly used by the peanut industry. Total peanut drying times were significantly shorter with 3.73 kW, single-trailer (ST) dryers than with 7.46 kW, double-trailer (DT) dryers. Total energy consumption was significantly higher per tonne of peanuts dried for drying with ST dryers. Total energy consumption and drying times were not significantly different for drying in side-air-entry or rear-air-entry trailers. Precleaning reduced energy requirements for drying and slightly reduced total drying times. Drying peanuts at 40.56°C decreased drying times but required considerably more energy than drying at 35°C. Type of temperature control, constant (Co) or cycling (Cy), had no effect on drying times or energy consumption.

Simulation of Solar Peanut Drying

ABSTRACT A peanut drying system, using solar energy, was simu-lated. The transient simulation system, TRNSYS, was used. Additional subroutines were developed for simulating hourly radiation and ambient temperature from daily values, and for drying peanuts in a deep bed. Simulation results, when compared with experimental results, showed that the simulation gave reasonable estimates of energy use and of drying time.

Simulation of Peanut Drying in Inverted Windrows

Simulation of Peanut Drying in Inverted Windrows

Air Flow Requirements, Bed Turnover Time for Spouted Bed Peanut Dryer

Air Flow Requirements, Bed Turnover Time for Spouted Bed Peanut Dryer

Anaerobic and Aerobic Vacuum Techniques for Mycotoxin-Free Peanut Drying

Anaerobic and Aerobic Vacuum Techniques for Mycotoxin-Free Peanut Drying

Continuous and Intermittent Drying of Peanuts Under Vacuum

Continuous and Intermittent Drying of Peanuts Under Vacuum

The role of solar radiation in the drying of peanuts : Wilson, Bruce W., Commonwealth Sci. Ind. Res. Org., Div. Ind. Chem., June 1958. 9 p. Illus.

The role of solar radiation in the drying of peanuts : Wilson, Bruce W., Commonwealth Sci. Ind. Res. Org., Div. Ind. Chem., June 1958. 9 p. Illus.