GB2229260A

GB2229260A - Grain drier

Info

Publication number: GB2229260A
Application number: GB9003928A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Reiji Antero Rantanen
Original assignee: Mepu Oy
Current assignee: Mepu Oy
Priority date: 1989-03-15
Filing date: 1990-02-21
Publication date: 1990-09-19
Also published as: SE9000558D0; FI82139C; GB9003928D0; DK61690A; FI891229A0; DK61690D0; SE9000558L; FI82139B

Abstract

Distributing wheel 14 fills grain into paired drying compartments D1, D2, and the position of an associated hinged member 22 is set so that either grain passes into both compartments or into D1 only. Problems due to grain being blown out of partially-filled drying compartments are minimised accordingly. In use drying air passes from air main 19 into first ducts P1, P3, P5, each of which leads from the main 19 through a compartment D1 towards the wall 20 which separates it from its associated compartment D2 but not through the wall. Apertures in the first ducts allow the air to pass through grain in the compartment D1, to apertures in second ducts P2, P4. The second ducts extend through the compartment D1 and D2, but do not open into the air main 19 or the exhaust 21. The air then passes from apertures in the second ducts through the compartment D2 and any grain in it to apertures in third ducts P'1, P'3, P'5, which lead into exhaust 21. <IMAGE>

Description

Grain drier The present invention concerns a grain drier in which the grain to be dried is most advantageously fed to a drying unit from above, said unit being with one or several partitions divided into at least two compartments, whereby the drying space can be used in accordance with the drying need so that both spaces in conjunction with the partition are filled with grain, or only one of said spaces is filled with grain, and in which grain drier the drying air is conducted to drying air ducts branched from a main drying air duct, said branched ducts being disposed to pass from the main duct to the partition or at least to the adjacency thereof, whereby the drying air is distributed from the ducts through an aperture or apertures in the ducts into the space of the drying compartment which is filled with grain.

Such grain driers are known of prior art which are of silo drier type. However, a fixed grain drier is expensive due to high construction costs. For reducing the costs, drier users often share one common drier, but in such instance the grain drying distances may become awkwardly long.

Known in the prior art are also mobile grain driers, disclosed e.g. in the Finnish patent application No.

69 357. In said grain drier of prior art as well as in other equivalent ones, problems may arise if the drier is not filled to the full. If the grain drier is not full, the drying air will throw grain off from the drying ducts. Endeavours have been made to solve this problem in some grain driers known in the art in that each grain drying duct is separately closable, whereby incomplete filling of the drier is feasible. This is, however, difficult to accomplish and is time-consuming. In addition, the drying procedure is uneconomic.

The object of the present invention is to provide a grain drier which is more advantageous than the known grain driers and which can be controlled in a simple manner to be filled incompletely.

The aim of the invention is also to produce a grain drier in which the drying air is conducted through the drying air ducts in a most advantageous way.

The grain drier of the invention is mainly characterized in that the grain drier comprises a drying air duct which is taken through a partition, said duct opening into grain drying compartments on both sides of the partition, whereby the drying air moves from the drying air duct through the grain located in a compartment D1 into a drying air duct taken through the partition, and that the drying air moves through said duct from the grain drying compartment Ds into the grain drying compartment do on the other side of the partition, from which drying compartment D2 the drying air is arranged to flow through drying air ducts opening into the drying compartment but of the grain drier, whereby, when the drying compartment D2 is filled with grain, the drying air flown from the drying compartment D1 also travels through the grain located in the drying compartment D2 and dries said grain.

The other advantageous characteristic features of the invention are furthermore stated in claims 2-11.

The grain drier of the invention is advantageously utilizable both as a so-called full-scale drier and as a so-called partial drier. In either instance, the quantity of grain is always maintained on the level of the topmost drying cells, whereby the drying air will not throw any grain off from the drying ducts. Hereby, also the energy economy of grain drying is improved.

The invention is described below more in detail by the aid of an example, referring to the figures of the appended drawing, in which Fig. 1 presents the grain drier of the invention schematically in elevational view, Fig. 2 presents the grain drier of Fig. 1 schematically in end view, Fig. 3 presents the grain drier of Figs 1 and 2 schematically in top view, Fig. 4A presents section I-I of Fig. 3, the view being a partial view and a schematical presentation, Fig. 4B presents section II-II of Fig. 3, the view being a partial view and a basic schematical presentation, Fig. 5 presents part of the drying compartment of the grain drier of the invention schematically in axonometric view.

In a grain drier as shown in Fig. 1 grain to be dried is fed into a drier funnel 11 from which the grain is by the aid of a screw conveyor moved onto a lifting means 12 which lifts the grain up. To the upper end of the lifting means 12 is mounted a two-way divider, at which the passage of the grain can be diverted into the drier 10 or out of the drier 10. In the upper part of the lifting means 10 is also provided a precleaning means 13 connected to said lifting means 12 for removing impurities from the grain. Thereafter, the grain is conducted into a filling means 14 positioned in the upper part of the drier 10. The filling means 14 comprises a spread wheel rotating beneath the precleaning means 13 and spreading the grain uniformly into the drier 10.After that the grain falls due to its weight through the drying compartment D at a speed which is regulated by feeding means 15 beneath the drying compartment D. In the lower partof the drier 10 a transfer means 16 transfers the grain once again onto the lifting means 12 to be circulated once more through the drying compartment D.

The air entering the drying compartment D is in this case warmed using a petrol-operated oven blower combination 17, although combinations of a fixed fuel boiler andor water radiator-blower are alternative heat-producing facilities. The heated air is blown by the aid of a blower 18 connected to the oven 17 into the drying compartment D.

As shown in Fig. 2, the grain in the grain drier 10, coming from the lifting means 12, is by the aid of a spreading wheel of the filling means 14 spread uniformly into the grain space of the drying compartment D. The grain drier 10 of the invention comprises a main drying air duct 19 conducted from the oventblower combination 17, said duct dividing the grain drier 10 into two halves, a half D: and half Doss. In the figure only one half D: of the grain drier is described. The drying event and the drying equipment are equivalent also in the other half Dss. The halves D: and Dz: of the grain drier have furthermore been divided with partitions 20 into drying compartments Dt and Da. The drying compartment DL is located between the main drying air duct 19 and the partition 20, and the drying compartment B2 is located between the partition 20 and the collector duct 21 for the outgoing drying air. The entry of grain into the drying compartments Ds iS obstructed with upper, snivelling partitions 22 of the drying compartment of the grain drier 10.When the swivelling upper partitions 22 have been locked into position I on the side walls of the grain drier, the entire drying space of the drier 10 is utilizable for grain drying. When instead, the partitions 22 have been locked into position II, the movable partition 22 has been turned into such position, supported by a hinge means 22a, that the lower end of the partition 22 is placed abutting against the upper edge of the partition 20, and consequently, the entry of grain into the drying compartments Ds is obstructed. In the last mentioned instance, only part of the entire filling volume (Dr + Dx) of the drier is in use.

From the main drying air duct 19 the pressurized warm air is conducted into drying air ducts Ps,P,Ps ... imposed one upon the other, and therethrough into the drying compartment Dl located between the partition 20 and the main duct 13, in which the grain is located in a space defined by the above-mentioned drying air ducts, the partition 20, a wall 19a of the main duct 19, and the drying air ducts P1,P4,P extended into said space.

From the drying air ducts P,P,P5 ... the warm drying air moves through the grain into the drying air ducts P2,P4,P5..., which have been taken furthermore through the partition, 20, whereby the drying air passes from the drying compartment DL into the drying compartment DX on the other side of the partition 20.

Into the drying compartment Ds grain may also be placed and in such instance, the drying air moves through the grain placed into the drying compartment Dp through the ducts P2,P4,P6... through the grain to be dried into the drying air ducts P',Pu',P.'...opening into the space Dz, through which ducts the drying air exits further into a drying air collector duct 21, and then, out of the grain drier.

The feed means 23,23b located below the drying compartment D regulate the downward running of the grain. In the instance shown in Fig. 2 four funnels 23 have been provided below the drying compartment D, in the lower part of two of said funnels being positioned a feed means 16.

The topside grain space above the drying compartments DL and D2 buffers the swelling of the moist grain at the beginning of the drying process and, on the other hand, the diminishing of the grain volume, sometimes significant, at the end of the drying phase. The grain should cover the drying compartments DL,D. in the course of the entire drying process, so that no outblowing of grain would take place. In the design of the invention the drying compartments Ds,Dz are so-called side top cells in type, which do not become blocked even if wet grain is used.

The transfer means 15 is made from two conical funnels 23 which have been supported to the frame R of the drier 10.

Each funnel 23 of the feed means has been provided with two rotating feeders 23a,23b, thereunder being provided bottom flaps for accelerating the discharge of the drier 10. Therebelow is positioned a transfer means 16 which transfers the grain through the funnel 11 to a lifting means.

The ducts P,Pa,P,... are open into the main drying air duct 19, and they also open into the drying compartment D,. The drying air ducts P.,P4,P... are closed at both ends, to the main duct 19 on one hand and to the outlet ducts 21 on the other. The drying air ducts P.,P,P...

act thus only as drying air distributors from the drying compartment D, into the drying compartment D=. The travelling of the air within the grain to be dried is uniform in the entire drying compartment and the drying result is secured. The ducts Pr,P4,P,... pass through the partitions 20 and the most advantageous design is, deviating from the figures, such in which the ducts P9,P4,- P2... are wider in cross-section than the ducts PL,P,- P... so that the counterpressure would not increase in the drying compartment.

The air entering the drying air ducts P1,P3,P5... circulates within the grain of the drying compartment D, and passes into the ducts P2,P4,P6... and therethrough, into the drying compartment Ds, and from the compartment D2 into the ducts P1',P3',P5'...

When the upper partitions 22 of the grain drier 10 are in position II, the drier 10 is only filled in the centre area. This is the instance when the partial drier operation is in question. Hereby, the warm air from the main drying air duct 19 is conducted into the drying air ducts PsPP... and from those, furthermore into the drying compartment DI, and the air exits through the drying air ducts Pn,P,,P,,.. .. out of the drying compartment D1.

Within the housings of the transfer means 15 hot air ventilation is prevailing in order to maintain the feed apparatus 16 and the transfer means 15 dry even if wet grain is used.

The grain drier 10 shown in Fig. 3 is presented in top view. The figure shows an air heating oven 17 and a blower 18 connected thereto, with which hot air is blown -into the main drying air duct 19, wherefrom it is then conducted through the drying compartment D into ducts 21 for collecting the outgoing air. The figure also shows the feed funnel 11 of the grain drier 10.

In Fig. 4A is presented section 1-1 of the drying compartment D1 of Fig. 3. The figure shows a basic and partial view. Drying air enters the drying compartment D1 from the ducts P1,P,p5.. Moist air exits from the drying compartment Ds through the ducts P2,P4,P6... . In the figure are presented the ducts P2,P4,P6... in broken lines, the cross-section thereof being greater than the above-mentioned ducts P1,P3,P5... The ducts P2,P4,P6...

transfer warm drying air furthermore from the drying compartment D, into the drying compartment Da. The traveling of the air is presented by arrows L1.

In Fig. 4B is presented section II-II of Fig. 3. The figure shows a basic and partial view. Warm air enters the drying compartment Ds from the ducts P2,P4,P6... both in full and partial drying operation. From the ducts P2,P4,P6... the air moves furthermore through the grain possibly present in the compartment Ds into the ducts P1',P3',P5'..., and then therefrom into the collector duct 21 and out of the grain drier.

In Fig. 5 is presented schematically the drying operation according to the invention. The running direction of the grain in the drying compartment D is presented by arrows ML. The warm drying air is distributed from the main drying air duct 19 into branch ducts P1,P3,P5... branching from the side walls 19a of the main duct 19, there being several of said branch ducts. In the figure is presented schematically only one component of each duct. The drying air ducts PSJP3SPS... extend from the main drying air duct 19 to the partitions 20, or at least to the adjacency thereof. Hereby, the air can be distributed uniformly into the entire drying compartment DL between the partition 20 and the main drying air duct 19. The drying air duct P1,P3,P5... is a sectional construction open from below; the air is therefore distributed uniformly to each lateral point of the drying compartment in the entire drying compartment DI.

In Fig. 5 is presented schematically the passage of air by arrows A. From the drying air ducts P1,P3,P5... the air moves into the duct P2,P4,P6... taken through the partition 20, and from said duct further into the drying compartment D2 located on the other side of the partition 20. The drying compartment D2 may be filled with grain, or it may be empty. When the drying compartment B. Is filled with grain, the drying air moves through the grain in the compartment D2 into the drying air outlet duct P1',P3',P5'... and further into the duct 21 collecting the outgoing moist drying air, and onwards out of the grain drier.

The drier design comprises a plurality of ducts imposed on top of each other. Therefore, a plurality of the drying air ducts P1,P3,P5.... placed upon each other have been branched from the main drying air duct 19, from its lateral surface 19a, said ducts being spaced from each other as rows of ducts. Said ducts are substantially horizontal in longitudinal axles. Respectively, the drying air ducts P2,P4,P6... taken through the partitions and connecting the compartments DL and Dz are advantageously horizontal ducts, and disposed into duct rows and structures one on top of the other.

The outlet ducts PI',P,',p,r,,, for letting the moist drying air out from the compartment B. are advantageously of the same design as the ducts P1,P,P. ... The duct P1 and the duct P,' thereat are preferably so produced that at the partition 20 is located an intermediate part 25 to separate the drying air flow paths of the ducts P1 and P1'.

The ducts P2,P4,P6... connecting the drying compartments B1 and B. are made of integral sectional construction which has been taken through an aperture corresponding to the shape of the duct section P2,P4... produced in the partition 20, and the ducts connecting said compartments D, and Dn are further attached to the partitions 20. All above-mentioned ducts are advantageously of such construction in cross-section which constitutes an internal central air space T, which opens downwards. The air is thus made to be distributed uniformly into the entire drying compartment, into all lateral stations of the drying compartment. Respectively, the air can be collected from all lateral stations of the drying compartment for further transport.

Within the scope of the invention, also different embodiments are conceivable. For instance, drying air ducts PI,PJ,Pr... branching from the main duct 19 may be of a separate construction in comparison with the ducts P1,,P',P.'... conducting the drying air off from the drying compartment D2. The ducts P1,P,P1... may therefore be so disposed that they are not in contact with the partition 20 but terminate only in the adjacency of the partition 20.

The invention is described in the foregoing referring only to one of the advantageous embodiments thereof.

Several modifications and variations are feasible within the scope of the inventive idea stated by the claims below.

Claims

1. A grain drier in which the grain to be dried is fed most advantageously from above into a drying division which has with one or several partitions (20) been divided into at least two compartments (D1,D.), whereby, in accordance with the drying need, the drying space can be so used that both spaces in conjunction with the partition are filled with grain, or one space only is filled with grain, and in which grain drier the drying air is conducted from a main drying air duct (19) into branched drying air ducts (PI,PJ,Ps, P > ...) which have been disposed to run from the main duct (19) to the partition (20) or at least to the adjacency thereof, whereby the drying air is distributed from the ducts (P1,P3,P5....) through apertures or an aperture in the ducts into a space of a drying compartment (Dr) filled with grain, characterized in that the grain drier (10) comprises a drying air duct (Pn,P,,P,...) taken through the partition (20), said duct opening into the grain drying compartment (D1,B.) located on both sides of the partition (20), whereby the drying air moves from the drying air duct (P1,P3,P5,P7...) through the grain in the compartment (D,) into a drying air duct (P2,P4,P6...) taken through the partition (20), and that the drying air travels through said duct (P2,P4,p6...) from the grain drying compartment (Dr) to the grain drying compartment (Dr) on the other side of the partition, from which drying compartment (Dz) the drying air is arranged to travel through the drying air ducts (P1',P3',P5'...) opening into the drying compartment (B.), out of the grain drier, whereby, when the drying compartment (Dr) is filled with grain, the drying air flown from the drying compartment (D,) also travels through the grain in the drying compartment (D2) and dries said grain.

2. Grain drier according to claim 1, characterizeed in that the drying air duct (P1,P3,P5....) branching from the main duct (19) is substantially of the same construction as the drying air duct (PI',P,',P,'...) opening into the space (D) at the adjacency thereof while the air paths of the ducts (P1,P1';P3,P3';P5,P5') of the same construction are isolated with an intermediate part (29).

3. Grain drier according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the grain drier comprises a main duct (19) from the central space (E1) of which several horizontally one on top of the other imposed and substantially horizontally passing drying air ducts (P1,P3,P5...) have been branched, said ducts extending to the drying compartment (D1).

4. Grain drier according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drying air ducts (P1',P3',P5';Pz,P4,P6...) are substantially horizontal ducts and travel in the drying compartment (DL andor Dz) to which they extend through the entire grain space of the drying compartment, whereby the drying influence becomes uniform.

5. Grain drier according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drying air ducts (P1,P3,P5;P1',P31,P5';Pz,P4,P@...) are substantially such in structure that the air can be distributed therefrom or the air can be carried therethrough from substantially every horizontal point of the drying compartment filled with grain.

6. Grain drier according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the drying air ducts (P1,P3,P5;P1',P3', P.';P.,P4,P....) are such structures in cross-sectional profiles in which such a central air volume (Ts) is provided which is open from below

7.Grain drier according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the duct (P,P,,P,...) taken through the partition (20) and connecting the grain drying compartments ID,,Dz) is a horizontal ridge-beam construction, which comprises a central air volume (T,) and end plates (FL,F.) on the ends thereof, and which construction is taken through a through aperture in the partition (20), and that the duct (P2,P4,P6...) is mounted to the partition (20).

8. Grain drier according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that drying air ducts (P1',P3',P5'...) opening into the grain drying compartment (D1) on the other side of the partition (20) open at the other end into a collector duct (21) for the outgoing drying air located on a side of the grain drier (10).

9. Grain drier according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that from the main drying air duct (19) branch ducts (P1,P3,P6...) are branched from both walls (19a,19b) of the duct (19) for the drying air, whereby the central main drying air duct (19) divides the grain drier (10) into two drying halves (Dz,Dzz), said halves being further divided with partitions (20) into drying compartments (D1,B.).

10. Grain drier according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drier comprises means, advantageously a mobile partition (22), by the aid of which a drying compartment (dip) can be closed.

11. Grain drier according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drier (10) comprises means (12,15) by the aid of which the grain is circulated in the drier (10), in the drying compartments (D, or B1,D.) thereof.

12. A grain drier according to claim 1, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the drawings.