Análise funcional de um secador de milho.

Abstract

This work intends to evaluate the functional behavior of a cascade type dryer, when drying corn at commercial scale. The tests were based on initial characteristics of the product and factors of operation, such as: air volume for drying, temperature of the product, drying time and wood consumption, besides the determination of the system performance. The results allowed verifying that the system operates inside of recommended temperatures, below 70ºC, but presents low performance. The average drying capacity in the looping mode was 18.49 ton/h, to reduce the initial moisture of 20,65% to a final value of 13.29%. The average firewood consumption was in the order of 1.52 m3 in each operation.