GB673415A - Improvements in or relating to the treatment of grain in silos - Google Patents

Abstract

673,415. Treating grain. ROESSLER, O. H.STRUB-. March 14, 1950 [March 31, 1949], No. 6404/50. Class 58 Grain is treated in silos in at least two phases during one of which air is forced through the grain by supplying the said air at a raised pressure, and during the other of which no flow of air takes place. In an example a cycle of 4 phases is worked, first fresh air is blown through for 30 minutes, second cold air flow is drawn through by suction for 30 minutes, third a period of 120-240 minutes quiet, and fourth warm air drawn through by suction for 30 minutes. The direction of flow in the second and fourth phases is opposite to that in the first and in each phase in the next cycle the direction is reversed. Before treatment an initial warm air low pressure flow may be effected to reduce varying resistance to treatment of different species of grain. The grain in a number of cells may be treated simultaneously, the cycles of treatment of the various cells being so timed with respect to each other that the air flow phases in two or more groups of cells take place during the rest phase of another group of cells, so that the cycles of treatment start successively in different groups of cells, the duration of the phase of quiet being always a whole number multiple of the duration of the air flow phases. A silo for carrying out the invention comprising 5 cells is shown in which air from the main feed duct 39 is fed to each cell via a vertical duct 24 and distributed through the cells by horizontal channels. 11 and exhausted via vertical ducts 25 into a common exhaust duct 38. Pistons 20 are so arranged that air is not distributed or withdrawn above the level of the grain. Cell III shows the arrangement for dust extraction during the filling period prior to treatment with both the vertical ducts 24, 25 working as exhausts. In the ventilation system. shewn in Fig. 18, air is blown by the fan 63 through a heater 67 into the duct 39 and thence through the silo, the exhausted air being drawn through the duct 38 by the fan 64. By moving valves 57, 58, 59, 60 in the direction of the arrow 72, the role of the ducts 39, 38 may be reversed. In a modification, Fig 19, both systems 38, 39 can be adapted for exhaust,- the heater being eliminated when the dust extraction of the cell as in cell 3 is to be effected.