SIMULATION OF STIRRED BIN LOW TEMPERATURE CORN DRYING.

The paper presents a comparative study between low temperature (natural air) drying in stirred and unstirred bins. Ten different drying systems were analyzed using Central Indiana drying season weather conditions. Among the conclusions reported are that additional cost for a stirring device cannot be justified based on an equal fill depth or equal weight of grain in an unstirred bin; the use of a stirring device allows a greater bed depth with per bushel costs equal to an unstirreed bin with less depth, and the additional stirring device cost can be justified in this situation; using a larger than recommended fan on an unstirred bin appreciably decreases drying time with only a slight increase in operating and fixed costs. Refs.