Initial Setup Parameters, Dryer Shutdown

FULL HEAT DRYING

Full Heat Operation

With this type of drying, the grain is discharged hot, with no cooling. Drying capacity is substantially higher with FULL HEAT than the DRY AND COOL process.

Dryeration Process

The full heat process is called “DRYERATION”. Recommended procedure is to temper the hot grain for 4 to 10 hours in a cooling bin or storage bin, then cool by an aeration fan at an air flow rate of 1/2 to 1 CFM per bushel of grain in the hot batch being cooled. The process of tempering and slow cooling provides higher quality in shelled corn because of less stress cracking of kernels and less breakage during subsequent handling of the grain.

Final Moisture

From 1 to 3% apparant moisture is usually removed in the cooling process, so hot shelled corn is removed from the dryer at about 17% moisture if the final desired moisture content is 15%.

DRYING TEMPERATURES

Shelled Corn

For shelled corn with an initial moisture content of 25-30%, the recommended maximum drying temperature is 220-240° F (104-116° C) for the top fan and 170-190° F (7788° C) for the bottom fan. For lower initial moisture content, lower drying temperatures are recommended.

Small Grain

For drying small grain (wheat, oats, milo), 150° F (66° C) is suggested.

Rice, Soybeans

Drying temperatures are critical in drying rice and soybeans. A temperature of 130° F (54° C) is recommended to keep grain temperature low.

Drying Efficiency

The general rule for obtaining the highest drying efficiency is to use the highest possible drying temperatures which will not adversely affect grain quality.

Dryer Shutdown

Cooling Hot Grain

If the dryer is to be shut down while filled with grain, it is recommended that hot grain be cooled for 10 to 15 minutes, especially in cold weather, to prevent water vapor condensation and possible freezing of such condensate following shut down.