Experiments on In-Store and Batch Drying of Paddy: Energy Comsumption

Abstract

The objective of this paper was to study the energy consumption patterns in drying paddy under various drying air conditions and drying strategies. It was found from the experiment that ambient air drying with low air flow rate consumed final energy about one half of that drying with high air flow rate. However, they were about the same when primary energy was considered except the ambient air drying with high air flow rate which consumed primary energy much greater than the others. Ambient air low flow rate should be used in slow drying. Ventilation at particular times when relative humidity of drying air was not too high or continuous ventilation with controlled relative humidity should be practiced. If fast drying was required, warm air with high flow rate should be used.