Conditioning and Storing Conditioning and Storing HighHigh--Moisture GrainMoisture Grain
Grain Journal WebinarGrain Journal WebinarApril 9, 2010April 9, 2010
Dr. Dirk E. Maier, P.E.Dr. Dirk E. Maier, P.E.Professor & HeadProfessor & Head
Grain Science & Industry DepartmentGrain Science & Industry DepartmentKansas State UniversityKansas State Universitywww.grains.kwww.grains.k--state.edustate.edu
Safe Grain Moisture Content (ERH = 65%)
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
-1 2 4 7 10 13 16 18 21 24 27 29 32 35 38
Temperature (C)
EMC
(%)
CornSoybeans
50°F 60°F 70°F 80°FWinter Storage
Summer Storage
Infection
Spores
Spor
es p
er G
ram
of C
orn
Perc
enta
ge o
f Ker
nels
Infe
cted
0
25
50
75
100
0.0E+00
5.0E+06
1.0E+07
1.5E+07
2.0E+07
0 2 4 6 8
Weeks
Growth of Growth of Aspergillus Aspergillus glaucusglaucus in Cornin Corn3232°°C (90C (90˚̊F)F), 15 % Moisture Content, 15 % Moisture Content
Mycotoxins of Concern
• Deoxynivalenol (DON; Vomitoxin)• Aflatoxin• Fumonisins• Ochratoxin• Zearalenone
Gibberella zeae Ear RotFusarium graminearum
S.L.A.M.S.L.A.M. Step 1:Step 1: SSanitationanitation
•• Handling equipmentHandling equipment•• Transportation vehiclesTransportation vehicles•• Storage structuresStorage structures
•• inside and outsideinside and outside•• Pest preventionPest prevention
•• ““Sanitation is pest control!Sanitation is pest control!””•• Residual Residual protectantsprotectants
S.L.A.M.S.L.A.M. Step 2:Step 2: LLoading oading
•• Screening/PreScreening/Pre--cleaningcleaning•• CoringCoring
•• single vs. multiple withdrawalssingle vs. multiple withdrawals•• LevelingLeveling
•• spreading (mechanical, gravity)spreading (mechanical, gravity)•• SealingSealing
•• fans, leaks, cracksfans, leaks, cracks
OverOver--FillingFilling•• Poor head Poor head
space space ventilationventilation
•• Spoiled grain Spoiled grain on silo wallon silo wall
•• Impossible to Impossible to monitor grain monitor grain surfacesurface
GravityCleaner
Aspirated Cleaner
Rotary Cleaner
Pre-Cleaning
Core of finesCore of fines•• Foreign Foreign
Material (FM)Material (FM)•• Broken grainBroken grain•• Weed seedsWeed seeds
NonNon--uniform Airflow Effect uniform Airflow Effect -- Peaked Grain MassPeaked Grain Mass
Aeration Cooling Effect Aeration Cooling Effect -- Peaked Grain MassPeaked Grain Mass
T300298296295293291289287286284282280279277275
Day 7
Aeration Cooling Effect Aeration Cooling Effect -- Cored Grain MassCored Grain Mass
T300298296295293291289287286284282280279277275
Day 7
CoringCoring
1/3-1/2 bin dia.
CoreGrain bulk
One time coring• Eliminate grain
peak• Remove core
of BCFM• Improve airflow
through center• Better monitor
grain surface
S.L.A.M.S.L.A.M. Step 3: Step 3: AAerationeration
AAeration Phaseseration Phases
•• Phase 1: Fall Cool DownPhase 1: Fall Cool Down•• Lower grain temperatures stepwise Lower grain temperatures stepwise
•• October 40October 40--45 F45 F•• November 35November 35--40 F40 F•• December 28December 28--35 F35 F
•• Phase 2: Winter MaintenancePhase 2: Winter Maintenance•• Maintain temperatures with intermittent aerationMaintain temperatures with intermittent aeration
•• January, February 28January, February 28--35 F35 F
•• Phase 3: Spring HoldingPhase 3: Spring Holding•• Keep cold grain coldKeep cold grain cold
•• Seal fansSeal fans•• Ventilate headspace intermittentlyVentilate headspace intermittently
Open FanOpen Fan
Sealed FanSealed Fan
Headspace Ventilation
135,000 135,000 bubu Bin of Corn during Bin of Corn during Summer Storage in Indiana Summer Storage in Indiana ––
NonNon--aerated on 7/28/89aerated on 7/28/89
8
1010
1010
1010
12
12
12
14
14
1414
1414
14
16 16 16
16 16
18
18
18
18
2020
20
20
2222
22
22
22
2424
24 24 24
626
2626
26 26
228
2828
28
28
3030
3030
34
r (m)
z(m
)
0 5 100
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
T(C)363432302826242220181614121086420
13 8
14
14
14
14
r (m)
z(m
)
0 5 100
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
MC(%w.b.)14.514.414.314.214.11413.913.813.713.613.5
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
Control Ambient Chilled
Month 4Month 3Month 2Month 1
Insect Cage Emergence - Field
60-65°F
70-75°F
80-85°F
Summer AerationSummer Aeration
Should cooled grain be Should cooled grain be warmed up again?warmed up again?
S.L.A.M.S.L.A.M. Step 4: Step 4: MMonitoringonitoring
•• TemperatureTemperature•• MoistureMoisture•• MoldsMolds•• InsectsInsects
•• present or absentpresent or absent•• population growth population growth •• pest control (fumigation)pest control (fumigation)
•• RodentsRodents
Use of handheld CO2 sensor (Outdoor pile)
Handheld CO2 sensor Telaire 7001 ~$400
www.telaire.com
Post-Harvest Education and Research Center, Purdue University
The Andersons, Delphi - Tank 54 (Semi-wet 17.5% MC)Total CO2 (kg)
Tota
l CO
2 (k
g)
53.7 kg (May 28)
178.2 kg (June 09)
283.5 kg (June 24)
Early Detection!April 17
April 24
Post-Harvest Education and Research Center, Purdue University
Spoilage in Tank 54
Detection of increased CO2 concentrations from self-heating corn by a CO2 sensor installed in the headspace of a bin (150,000 BU) located
near St. Mary, Kansas during Fall 2009 and Winter 2010
Near Commercial CO2 Monitor – Bintech – Purdue – KSU Project
Pitfall Probe TrapsPitfall Probe Traps
GranaryGranaryWeevilWeevil
RiceRiceWeevilWeevil
Lesser GrainLesser GrainBorerBorer
AngoumoisAngoumoisGrain MothGrain Moth
Internal Internal FeedersFeeders
Foreign Grain BeetleForeign Grain Beetle
Mold Mold FeedersFeeders
Hairy Fungus BeetleHairy Fungus Beetle
Stored Grain Management Stored Grain Management ImplicationsImplications
•• Store grain at safe moisture contentStore grain at safe moisture content•• Core & level grain after loading binsCore & level grain after loading bins•• Cool grain then seal fansCool grain then seal fans•• Manage headspace conditions with Manage headspace conditions with
intermittent ventilationintermittent ventilation•• Monitor grain regularly for insect Monitor grain regularly for insect
activity and mold developmentactivity and mold development
“Leaders & Knowledge for the Global Grain Industry”
Dr. Dirk E. Maier, Ph.D., P.E.Professor and HeadDept. of Grain Science & IndustryKansas State UniversityManhattan, Kansas, U.S.A.www.grains.k-state.edu
