EJPAU 2005. Molenda M. , Łukaszuk J. , Horabik J. AIRFLOW RESISTANCE OF WHEAT AS AFFECTED BY GRAIN DENSITY AND MOISTURE CONTENT

Electronic Journal of Polish Agricultural Universities (EJPAU) founded by all Polish Agriculture Universities presents original papers and review articles relevant to all aspects of agricultural sciences. It is target for persons working both in science and industry,regulatory agencies or teaching in agricultural sector. Covered by IFIS Publishing (Food Science and Technology Abstracts), ELSEVIER Science - Food Science and Technology Program, CAS USA (Chemical Abstracts), CABI Publishing UK and ALPSP (Association of Learned and Professional Society Publisher - full membership). Presented in the Master List of Thomson ISI.

2005
Volume 8
Issue 4

Topic:

Agricultural Engineering

ELECTRONIC
JOURNAL OF
POLISH
AGRICULTURAL
UNIVERSITIES

Molenda M. , Łukaszuk J. , Horabik J. 2005. AIRFLOW RESISTANCE OF WHEAT AS AFFECTED BY GRAIN DENSITY AND MOISTURE CONTENT, EJPAU 8(4), #67.
Available Online: http://www.ejpau.media.pl/volume8/issue4/abs-67.html

AIRFLOW RESISTANCE OF WHEAT AS AFFECTED BY GRAIN DENSITY AND MOISTURE CONTENT

Marek Molenda¹, Józef Łukaszuk², Józef Horabik²
¹ Department of Physical and Technological Properties of Agricultural Materials, Institute of Agrophysics, Polish Academy of Science, Lublin, Poland
² Institute of Agrophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Lublin, Poland

ABSTRACT

Airflow resistance of grains and oilseeds has been extensively studied. Traditionally the data has been presented assuming that airflow resistance is independent of grain depth. Grain undergoes compaction during storage that changes the porosity and airflow resistance. A study was conducted to estimate the degree of influence of filling method and grain moisture content on the airflow resistance of wheat column 0.95 m high and 0.196 m in diameter. Both the fill method and grain moisture content were found to influence the airflow resistance. Gravitational axial filling of the grain column resulted in an uneven distribution of airflow resistance along the height of the column.

Ergun’s equation was used to model experimental relationships between airflow resistance and air velocity. Results suggested that the equation with appropriate coefficients is capable to model the process adequately, and could be utilized for the design and analysis of grain aeration systems.

Key words: grain, airflow resistance, porosity, density, moisture content.

Marek Molenda
Department of Physical and Technological Properties
of Agricultural Materials, Institute of Agrophysics,
Polish Academy of Science, Lublin, Poland
Doświadczalna 4,
P.O. Box 201, 20-290 Lublin 27, Poland

Józef Łukaszuk
Institute of Agrophysics,
Polish Academy of Sciences, Lublin, Poland
Doświadczalna 4, 20-290 Lubln 27, Poland
phone: (+48 81) 744 50 61
fax (+48 81) 744 50 67

Józef Horabik
Institute of Agrophysics,
Polish Academy of Sciences, Lublin, Poland
Doświadczalna 4, 20-290 Lubln 27, Poland
phone: (+48 81) 744 50 61
fax (+48 81) 744 50 67

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