Operational behavior of an ear corn seed dryer - DOI: 10.4025/actasciagron.v28i1.1703

Abstract

This work aimed to analyze the operational behavior of a fixedbed ear corn dryer in commercial scale. It was carried out by controlling the variables involved in the process, such as: ambient and drying air conditions, airflow, product temperature, and fuel consumption (corncobs). Data were collected at the high season of harvesting, following the operational procedures adopted by the owner. The whole process indicated that the dryer operates in the recommended levels of temperature, an average of 41.7oC.The highest product temperature during drying process was 42.0oC. The total drying time (over 100 hours) is too high for commercial drying. Exhausting drying consumed more than 85% of the total drying time, and it is only effective when moisture contents are above 18%. Fuel consumption in effective drying varied from 295 kg to 365 kg of corncobs (fuel source) per point of moisture removed, which means more than 16,000 kJ/kg.