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Serving the Agricultural Industry Since 1954. Relevance of Grain Aeration Valuable Grain Management Tool. PRESENTED BY: Vikas Shrivastava Asia Sales Manager SCAFCO Grain Systems Co., USA Email – VIKASS@SCAFCO.COM. Good Storage Practice.
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Serving the Agricultural Industry Since 1954 Relevance of Grain Aeration Valuable Grain Management Tool PRESENTED BY: Vikas Shrivastava Asia Sales Manager SCAFCO Grain Systems Co., USA Email – VIKASS@SCAFCO.COM
Good Storage Practice • Storage of clean grain is important as clean grain helps in • Preventing mold and insects. • Improving air distribution through the stored mass and also during Drying, Aeration or Cooling. • Ensure that Grain is at the recommended moisture level for storage. • Before storing, the storage facility should be cleaned thoroughly. www.SCAFCO.com
Grain Aeration Basics • Why Aerate Grain Aeration is the practice of moving air through stored grain to reduce the rate of grain deterioration and prevent storage losses. Spoilage in stored grain is caused by mold growth and insect activity, which is related to the moisture content and temperature of the stored grain. Aeration greatly improves the "storability" of grain by maintaining a cool, uniform temperature throughout the storage to reduce mold development and insect activity and to prevent moisture migration.
Grain Enemies • Insects • Mold and Fungi • Moisture • Heat
Why Aerate Grain? • To condition the dry grain • Conditioned grain • Less mold/fungi growth • Less insect activity • Managed moisture • Managed heat • Improves chances of successful long term storage
Why Aerate Grain? • Because grain is alive • If planted, it will grow • It lives & breathes • It gives up moisture • It absorbs moisture • It will not be harmed by cold temperatures, but it can be harmed by too much heat
Why Aerate Grain? Because • Aeration equalizes moisture • Aeration equalizes temperature • Control insect environment
Moisture - Temperature - Storage Capability ºC ºF 40 30 Temperature 20 10 Moisture
Storage Air Temperature (F) (C) Moisture Content 13% 15% 20% 25% 30% 80.6 ° 75.2 ° 69.8 ° 64.4 ° 60.8 ° 55.4 ° 50.0 ° 44.6 ° 39.2 ° 35.6 ° 27 ° 24 ° 21 ° 18 ° 16 ° 13 ° 10 ° 7 ° 4 ° 2 ° 450 780 1410 2520 4500 87 116 155 207 250 337 466 725 906 1140 12.1 16.1 21.5 27.0 35.0 48.0 75.0 94.0 118.0 4.3 5.8 7.8 9.6 12.5 14.0 27.0 34.0 42.0 2.6 3.5 4.6 5.8 7.5 10.0 16.0 20.0 25.0 Safe Storage Period (Days)
Warm Weather Effects • Moisture migration Warm Air Warm Air Cold Air Settles Warm Air Cold Grain Cold Grain Warm Air Warm Grain Warm Grain Spring & Summer
Cool Weather Effects Moisture migration Cool Air Cool Air Warm Grain Warm Grain Cold Grain Cold Air Settles Cold Grain Warm Air Rises Fall & Winter
Why Aerate Grain? • To equalize moisture migration
Aeration Problem • Center “fines” • Fines material in grain gather in the center of the silo
Aeration Solution • During Silo Filling draw out some grain from silo couple of times center to make cone in grain
Aeration Problem • Dirty aeration tunnels • Plugged floor perforations • Obstructed roof vents
Aeration Solution • Clean silo tunnels, ducts, floors, and roof vents before filling silo
Aeration Problem • Over filling silo
Aeration Solution • Don’t overfill the silo!
Aeration Problem • Spoiled grain on silo wall • Keep grain temperature near average ambient air temperature to avoid condensation on walls
When to Aerate • When grain and outside air temperature not more than 90 C difference • Before 7 AM or After 7 PM. • Aerate to maintain uniform temperature in the silo • When you start - you must finish!
Successful Grain Storage • Check grain temperatures weekly • Aerate grain to remove possible “Hot” spots • Aerate grain to maintain uniform temperature in the silo • Aerate grain to prevent insects infestations
5400 East Broadway Avenue P.O. Box 11215 Spokane, Washington 99211-1215, USA Toll Free +1.800.224.0676 Telephone +1.509.535.1571 Fax: +1.509.535.9130 Email: mail@SCAFCO.com Web: www.SCAFCO.com