Reducing expenses when drying grain
Written by admin on October 29, 2009 – 1:52 pm -Depending on the method you use, it costs between 11 and 30 cents a bushel to dry grain. Ken Hellevang, North Dakota State University Extension service agricultural engineer, and Tom Dorn, Extension educator with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, describe four ways that can help you cut costs.
Management is important
You have control of how you operate your bins, and Hellevang says this is a big potential money-saver. Most bins are operated between 210 and 220 degrees Fahrenheit, says Hellevang.
"Some operators turn the temperature down to save money by not burning as many gallons of fuel per hour," he explains. "The unfortunate thing about not burning as many gallons of fuel is that it isn't doing as much drying either."
Hellevang emphasizes how important bin and fan size are for handling the job. He recommends that you check to make sure the burners and evaporators are functioning correctly for the best energy savings.
High-speed dryeration
Using a high-speed dryer, grains can be dried to one or two moisture points above desired moisture in a process called dryeration. The grains are then transferred to a bin to cool for four to six hours before starting an aeration fan.
"This is a very energy-efficient way of taking off moisture," says Hellevang. "The downside is the steeping and cooling processes produce tremendous condensation."
Hellevang recommends taking the grain to a separate bin for storage.
Dorn adds, "This method results in higher quality grain with fewer stress cracks than drying followed by rapid cooling in the high-speed dryer."
Combination drying adds up
Combination drying takes the edge off high-moisture corn by drying it at high temperatures to 20% to 22% moisture. The grain is then moved to a bin with an aeration fan to complete the drying process.
"This cuts some of the reliance on heat compared to completely drying the grain in the high-speed dryer. And it increases the throughput volume of the high-temperature dryer even more than dryeration," Dorn says.
Hellevang says this method will possibly save money, but it's not always the case. "Natural air drying can be energy-efficient. But if the electrical rate is high, then it may not be the most economical way to dry," he says.
Drying In Layers
If you own several bins with fans and are able to switch over from filling one bin to another in a short time, you can save money by drying in layers.
Dorn says, "Filling and drying several bins in layers could reduce drying time and energy consumption by 20% to 35% as compared to completely filling each bin in turn before beginning to fill the next bin."
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