Numerical investigation of low relative humidity aeration impact on the moisture content of stored wheat

Abstract

High moisture content wheat kernels are subject to elevated respiration rates due to enzyme activity and mould growth that reduce the dry grain and may produce sufficient energy which may be harmful to wheat quality. Grain aeration provides a powerful nonchemical stored grain insect management. Currently, aeration is a suitable and economical device to overcome this problem. The moisture management is vital to prevent spoilage in stored grain. The objective of this study is to investigate the influence of using low relative humidity (RH) aeration on the wheat moisture content. The numerical investigation based on heat and mass balances is developed and used to simulate the evolution of grain temperature and moisture under various air RH in a wheat storage silo. Results show that the dehumidification of blown air had greater potential for decreasing RH of interstitial air and wheat moisture at [Formula: see text]C temperature and RH of 40%, 50% and 60%.