Thin Layer and Deep-Bed Drying Characteristics of Grain Sorghum

Nebraska ranks as the third largest grain sorghum producer in the nation. During the years 1967, 1968, and 1969 Nebraska produced 123, 101, and 118 million bushels of grain sorghum, respectively. In order to reduce field losses, much of the grain sorghum produced today, is harvested earlier and at higher moisture contents than in previous years. To insure the safe storage of this grain much of the grain must be dried and/or aerated during storage. The primary objective of this study was to determine the drying characteristics of grain sorghum at various drying air temperatures in a deep bed. To determine the deep-bed drying characteristics an empirical equation which describes the thin layer drying characteristics of grain sorghum was developed. After the thin layer drying characteristics were determined,Thompson’s deep-bed drying simulation model was modified and used to predict the deep-bed drying characteristics of grain sorghum in each of the basic dryer types: crossflow, concurrent flow, and counter-flow. Advisor: Thomas L. Thompso