Dryeration and In Storage Cooling
Dryeration is a process where hot grain is removed from the dryer with a moisture content still 1 or 2 percentage points above that which is desired for storage. The hot grain is placed in a Dryeration Bin where is it is allowed to temper without airflow for at least 4 to 6 hours.
The moisture content equalizes in the kernel during tempering. After the first hot grain has tempered, the cooling fan is turned on while additional hot grain is delivered to the bin. The grain is cooled and the moisture content is removed by the airflow before the grain is moved to final storage.
In-storage cooling is similar to dryeration with one exception—delayed cooling to allow for tempering or steeping is not recommended. With in-storage cooling the grain is delivered hot to a storage bin equipped with adequate airflow, cooled in the bin and left in storage in the same bin. If hot grain is delivered to the bin and cooling is delayed as in dryeration, condensation may build up on the sidewalls and the wetter grain around the sidewalls may spoil. The seriousness of the problem depends on outside temperature. Cold weather causes more condensation, resulting in more spoilage when the bin walls warm up.
For in-storage cooling, the cooling fans must move enough air to keep up with the high-speed dryer. This means that the airflow of the cooling fan or fans is dictated by the maximum dryer capacity instead of the bin capacity. Dryer capacity will increase by 20 to 40 percent when in-storage cooling is practiced. The necessary airflow is basically the same as that recommended for dryeration—12 cfm/bu of maximum hourly high-speed dryer capacity.
Advantages:
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Less stress cracking.
Disadvantages:
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Dryeration Requires separate cooling bins.
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Requires a high temperature dryer
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Condensation may occur in bins.
Other Grain Drying Methods
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