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By: M Gummert J Rickman Agricultural Engineering Unit IRRI, Los Baos , Philippines
Content
Why drying Drying and quality Drying methods Mechanical drying systems Drying strategies
Why Drying?
Rice is harvested at high moisture contents >20% Quality deterioration starts immediately after harvest The wetter the grain the faster the loss of quality Different MC for different purposes (see Table)
Purpose 2 - 3 weeks storage 8 - 12 months storage > 1 year storage Milling Required MC 14 - 18% <= 13% <= 9 % 14% Potential problems Molds, discoloration, respiration loss Insect damage Loss of viability Damaged grains, cracking
Improper drying, 1
Heat build-up from natural respiration excellent growth conditions for molds and insects Mold development propagate diseases in the grain may release toxins into the grain proper drying and storage can reduce propagation of molds Insect infestation insects are always a problem in stored grain at lower moisture content insect activities are lower proper drying helps keeping insects at acceptable level (4 insects per kg)
Improper drying, 2
Discoloration/Yellowing heat build-up in the paddy grain before drying drastically reduces the market value of rice Loss of germination and vigor active respiration depletes the nutrition reserves molds and diseases can reduce the ability of the seed to germinate the lower the MC at the beginning of storage, the longer the seed remains viable
Improper drying, 3
Loss of freshness/odor development Heat build up -> musty odor in rice. Reduces the market value of rice. If from mycotoxin-producing fungi rice might become unusable. Reduced head rice yield moisture adsorption of individual dry grains with moisture contents below 16% - fissuring mixing dry with wet grains Exposing dry grains to humid air Fissures cause cracking in milling process -> reduced the head rice recovery.
Drying methods
Drying
Mechanical drying
Field Drying
Heated-Air Drying
Low-Temperature Drying
Flash Drying
Panicle drying
Batch dryer
Aeration
Mat drying
In/store drying
Pavement drying
Field drying
Why field drying? Waiting for the thresher Manual threshing How? Spreading the crop in the field Stacking/piling Advantages Can reduce MC by 1% per day Disadvantages Rapid quality deterioration Shattering Losses to bird and rodents when spread in the field Heat build up and rapid quality deterioration in piles Re-wetting from straw in piles
It is impossible to produce good quality grains with field drying practices. Field drying should therefore be avoided.
Panicle drying
Traditional method harvested with a small knife (ani ani) paddy grains that are still attached to the panicles for drying small amounts of paddy. stored in farmers houses, e.g. under the roof for protection from rodents. Problems low capacity grains inside the panicle dry slower than the grains that are exposed directly to the sun. Tips turning of the panicles improves the drying process
Mat drying
Paddy can be placed on nets, mats or plastic sheets (canvas). Advantages Most hygienic method. less contamination with stones and other dirt Easy collection in case of sudden rainfalls. Easy mixing Disadvantages of nets danger of re-wetting of the bottom grains from soil moisture
Pavement drying
Better-off farmers, grain collectors, traders and millers use drying pavements specifically constructed for drying multi purposes (basketball court) Advantages high capacity / economics of scale can be partially mechanized tools for mixing and grain collection larger mills often use two or four wheel tractors Disadvantages capital requirements for the pavement pollution with stones and dirt
80
75 70 65 60
6
5.75 5.5 5.25 5 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Mixing interval, h
Drying Time, h
Source: IRRI, (Gayanilo) Location: Philippines Intital M.C. = 24% Final M.C. = 14%
Source: IRRI, (Gayanilo) Location: Philippines Intital M.C. = 24% Final M.C. = 14%
Layer thickness Spread the grains in thin layers, ideally 2-4 cm. Too thin layers -> heat up very quickly Too thick result in a large moisture gradient
Mixing interval mixing the grain is the most important activity for maintaining good quality Turn or stir the grain at least once per hour, better every 30 minutes to achieve uniform MC.
Air Grain
Tempering Section
Drying Section
Dryer
Tempering bins
In
Out
Low-Temperature Drying
25
MC, % w.b.
Wet Grains
Drying Zone Dry Grains
20
15
Drying Zone
10 0 5 10 15 Drying time, h
Drying air temp.: 43C Air velocity: 0.15-0.25 m/s Airflow rate per t grain: >0.7 m/s Power requirement: 1.5-2.5kW/t grain Layer depth: < 40 cm Drying time: 6-12 h Initial MC: up to 30%+ Advantages: Simple management Fast drying Affordable Low level of integration Disadvantages: 3-4% moisture gradient in final product, requires mixing or reduced layer depth Reduction in milling yield Danger of killing seeds
Drying air temperature: T = 0-6 K Air velocity: 0.1 m/s Airflow rate per t grain: >0.05-0.4 m/s Power requirement: 0.05-0.15 kW/t grain Layer depth: <2m Drying time: days to weeks Initial MC: 18% ( 28%) Advantages: Very energy efficient Bins can be filled at harvest rate Maintains grain quality optimally Drying in storage structures Disadvantages: Increased risk with poor power supplies Requires bulk handling system (high level of integration in postharvest system)
Flash dryer
Principle Grains are pre-dried quickly in a fluidized bed As a first-stage dryer in a two-stage drying strategy Key features Batch Capacity: 4-12t Drying time: 10-15 minutes Air temperatures: 110-120C Air velocity: 2.3 m/s Advantages Very fast pre-drying High capacity Disadvantage For pre-drying to 18% MC only High energy requirement
In-store dryer
Principle Slow EMC based drying with ambient air or slightly pre-heated air Key features Batch Capacity: 1 x.000 tons Drying time: 4 days to 2 weeks Air temperatures: ambient, 3-6C above ambient Air velocity: 0.1 m/s Advantages Produces very high quality Low energy requirement Drying in storage bin Disadvantage High risk if MC is > 18% Wet Long drying time Grains
Drying Zone Dry Grains
Drying Strategies
Decentralized on-farm drying Requires quality incentive Low utilization of equipment Training and technical support service Centralized drying Contractors (service providers) Mills Economics of scale Two-stage drying Ideal process to produce best quality Two machines are needed for one operation First stage dryer dries only to 18%
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