Studies Regarding the Design of Grain Dryers with Renewable Energy Sources

Abstract

With increasing concern for environmental degradation, it is desirable to decrease energy consumption in all sectors. Thus, the paper presents the cereals’ drying process as an important energy consumer. The main input and output thermal components involved in the heat balance are investigated. Likewise, the possibilities to use the gasification process as energy source are further analyzed. Using the MathCAD and Labview software, the behaviour of the drying system was simulated considering both temperature variation and humidity content of the environment. In conclusion, the paper shows the great potential for using gasification in cereals drying process from the following points of view: quality of dried products, energetic efficiency and global costs.