Microprocessor Controlled Low Temperature Grain Drying
Morrison, David Wayne
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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/70957
Description
Title
Microprocessor Controlled Low Temperature Grain Drying
Author(s)
Morrison, David Wayne
Issue Date
1985
Department of Study
Agricultural Engineering
Discipline
Agricultural Engineering
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
Engineering, Agricultural
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to develop a microprocessor based controller capable of optimizing the drying process in a low temperature corn drying bin by controlling the drying fan operation. A procedure was developed to predict the moisture profile in a drying bin based on the measured temperature profile. This procedure was incorporated into a controlling algorithm that used the predicted moisture profile and sensed ambient temperature and humidity to select the hourly mode of fan operation that would dry corn the most energy efficiently.
The effectiveness of the controlling algorithm at reducing energy consumption in a low temperature corn drying bin was tested by computer simulation using 15 years of historic Springfield, Illinois weather data to drive the simulations. Results showed that the microprocessor controlled low temperature drying procedure dried corn using an average of 21.5 percent less electrical energy than did uncontrolled continuous fan operation drying and 28.4 percent energy than did humidistat controlled supplemental heater drying.
To test the controlling procedure in actual operation the controlling algorithm was programmed into an IBM Personal Computer interfaced to a laboratory sized drying bin. Experimental results showed a 15 percent energy savings when controlled low temperature grain drying was compared to uncontrolled drying.
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