Name: PRACHI PAHARIYA 
Id no.: 14AG63R10 
Native place: KATNI (M.P.) 
Email:prachipaharia28@gmail.com 
Education: B.TECH(AGRICULTURAL ENGG.) 
University of graduation: CAE, JAWAHARLAL NEHRU 
KRISHI VISHWAVIDYALAYA, JABALPUR (M.P.) 
Year of passing out: 2014 
Job experience (if any): NO 
Training/projects undergone: TRAINING-1. ONE MONTH FROM 
CENTRAL REGION FARM MACHINERY TRAINING AND TESTING 
INSTITUTE , BUDNI(M.P.), 
2. ONE MONTH TRAINING IN FOOD PROCESSING FROM CIAE, 
BHOPAL (M.P.).
3. FOUR MONTH TRAINING IN REMOTE SENSING FROM IIRS, 
DEHRADUN(U.K.) 
Project :DESIGN OF RPEC DRYER UNDER GUIDANCE OF PROF. C.M. 
ABROAL. 
Seminar on: AERATION SYSTEM FOR STORAGE. 
This seminar helps us to understand the topic deeply and way of presenting .It 
also improves the confidence. The teachers are very helpful and guide the 
student on their mistake and want to improve the student. This seminar the 
proper knowledge how to present.
AERATION SYSTEM FOR STORAGE 
PRACHI PAHARIYA 
(14AG63R10) 
FOOD PROCESS ENGINEERING
CONTENT 
INTRODUCTION 
MOISTURE MIGRATION 
PURPOSE OF AERATION SYSTEM 
AIR MOVEMENT 
WHY AERATE 
HOW AERATION WORK 
EXPERIMENTAL SETUP 
DESIGN CONSIDERATION 
BASIC COMPONENTS 
AERATION-DRYING OR COOLING 
REFERENCES
INTRODUCTION 
Aeration is the process of moving air 
through stored grain at low flow rates 
to maintain its quality. 
It is a well known and proven 
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) tool 
for controlling insects and other risks in 
stored grains. 
Useful storage management tool which 
can preserve grain from deterioration, 
especially where the moisture content 
of the grain is above its safe level.
MOISTURE MIGRATION
PURPOSE OF AERATION SYSTEM 
Aeration of stored grain has four main purposes — 
Preventing mould 
 Inhibiting insect development 
Maintaining seed viability 
Reducing grain moisture
Air movement within the grain stack 
Grain at the top of the stack is the hottest, as heat rises 
through the grain. The sun heats the silo roof and internal head 
space, resulting in the surface grain at the top of the silo 
heating up . 
When grain is stored at moisture contents above 12 percent, 
the air in the head space heats and cools each day creating 
ideal conditions for condensation to form, wetting the grain at 
the top of the stack.
From the aeration fan outlet, air will take the easiest 
route to the top of the grain stack — the path of least 
resistance. 
Poor aeration ducting can result in pockets of grain 
not being aerated. 
The peak of grain in a silo is another common place 
that aeration bypasses. The path of least resistance is to 
the side, below the peak of the stack as it is a shorter 
distance from the aeration ducting.
WHY AERATE 
DRY GRAIN 
To remove generated heat and water from grain 
It keep the grain in temperature equilibrium with 
the outside thereby preventing moisture migration 
Important in reducing mold growth and insect 
activity. 
Fumigant applicant 
Removing or reducing odors from grains.
WET GRAIN 
Removes heat by natural respiration of the grain and 
keep the grain near to the outside air temperature 
Number of days grain can be held under various 
condition without excessive spoilage and deterioration
EXPERIMENTAL SETUP 
Properties of grain samples 
The grains were maintained at a moisture content of 11 -13%. 
Impurities were reduced to less than 2%. 
The following grain properties were analysed regularly to 
monitor the changes happening during storage of grains in 
the silos. 
1. 100 seeds weight (kg) 
2. Moisture content (d.b) 
3. Grain density (kg/m3) 
4. Bulk density (kg/m3) 
5. Bed porosity
Other suggested chemical properties 
1. Pasting properties (Farinograph and RVA) 
2. Cooking properties (Texture, hardness) 
3. Lipid content 
4. Protein content 
5. Phenols 
6. Flavour
CALCULATING CYCLE TIME: 
Where, 
AT = aeration time, hours/cycle 
AR = airflow rate, cfm/bu 
TW = test weight, lb/bu 
1 lb/bu=12.87 kg/m3 
Controlled aeration at 15oC in early autumn and 7oC in 
late autumn for 2-cycle. 
 Binning in summer followed by controlled aeration at 
24oC (2 cycle autumn cooling cycle)
DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS 
General design factors 
•Location/harvest date 
•Grain Type (coarse vs. small) 
•Storage structure 
•Available energy 
•Cooling speed vs. energy cost
Other factors to be considered: 
• Airflow rate 
• Propeller vs. centrifugal fan type 
• Airflow direction (suction or pressure) 
• Distribution (ducts or perforated floor) 
• Control (manual or automatic)
Basic components of the aeration system 
• Fans 
• Ducts 
• Floor distribution system 
• Roof vents, exhaust fans 
• Controls for fan regulation 
• Pressure switch on fans for negative 
pressure systems
Fans 
Axial 
– Van-axial 
– Tube-axial (small - 2Hp or less) 
– Low cost, noisy 
– 3 – 5 inches static pressure
Centrifugal 
– 1460 to 3500 rpm 
– Higher cost 
– Quieter 
– More airflow per HP 
above 5” static 
pressure
Available Aerations Systems 
1. A single perforated duct. 
2.A rectangular perforated area located in the middle of 
the floor. 
3. A cross duct arrangement. 
4. A V shaped duct 
5. A fully perforated floor.
Vent types 
1. Gooseneck vent
2. Mushroom vent
3.Roof exhauster
OPIGIMAC Temperature and Insect Monitoring, 
Aeration Fan Control System
Roof vents controllers 
• Normally closed 
• Designed to open under pressure of vacuum 
• Interlocked electrically with fans 
• Reduces insect infiltration 
Fan controllers 
• Temperature limit thermostats 
• Humidity control 
• NEMA 4R housing 
• Hour meter, selector switch 
• Time delay relays (TDR) for multiple fans 
• Off-the-shelf components 
Relative humidity and temperature controllers
Air distribution systems 
Provide uniform airflow through 
the grain. 
Consist of 
– Transitions, manifolds, supply 
ducts 
– Perforated ducts, pads or false 
floors 
– Roof vents or exhaust fan 
systems
Transition/supply duct air velocities 
• Maximum design air velocity 
– positive pressure: 2500 fpm 
– negative pressure: 2000 fpm 
• Preferred design air velocity 
– positive pressure: 1500-2000 fpm 
– negative pressure: 1000-1500 fpm
Air flow rates 
Depends on the fan motor (upper limit of air flow). 
Negative Airflow 
– Pros… 
• Reduced condensation under steel roofs. 
• Cooling zone movement estimated by fan exhaust air 
temperatures. 
• Can hold covers on outdoor grain piles. 
– Cons… 
• Needs larger transition/duct cross-section areas 
(especially in flat storage). 
• Roof damage if vents freeze (use neg. pressure switch). 
•Top grain heat moves through all grain.
Positive Airflow 
– Pros… 
• Distribution in flat storage is more 
uniform 
• Add warm grain w/o heating cool grain 
• Aeration zone finished when surface 
grain cools 
• Less plugging of perforated floors or 
ducts 
– Cons… 
• Condensation under steel roofs 
• Heat of compression raises air temp. 
3-10° F
Air flow path ratio 
A + B <= 1.5 C 
C: duct to grain peak 
A + B … longest path 
Perforated floors 
Cereal Grains: 
3/32”diameter perf. 
Smaller Seeds: 
3/64 to 1/16”
Grain aeration systems are generally designed to carry out 
either a drying or cooling function — not both. 
•Aeration cooling can be achieved with airflow rates of 2–3 
litres per second per tonne delivered from fans driven by a 
0.37 kilowatt (0.5 horsepower) electric motor. 
• Aeration drying can be achieved with fans delivering 15– 
25L/s/t, typically powered by 7kW (10hp) electric motors. 
• The risk of using high capacity fans for cooling is they 
increase grain moisture very quickly if run when ambient 
conditions are above 85 per cent relative humidity.
Cooling or drying — making a choice 
There are some simple rules to follow: 
• Grain that is dry enough to meet specifications for sale (12.5 per cent for 
wheat or 13.5 per cent for sorghum) can be cooled, without drying, to 
slow insect development and maintain quality during storage. 
• Grain of moderate moisture (up to 15 per cent for wheat and sorghum) 
will require aeration drying to reduce the moisture content to maintain 
quality during storage. 
• If aeration drying is not available immediately, moderately moist grain 
can be cooled for a short period to slow mould and insect development, 
then dried when the right equipment is available. 
•High-moisture grain (for example, 16 per cent and higher for wheat and 
sorghum) will require immediate moisture reduction before cooling for 
maintenance.
REFERENCES 
Reed, C. R. 2006. Aeration. In: Managing Stored Grain to 
Preserve Quality and Value. AACC International, St. Paul, 
Newyork, Pages 141-180 
Navarro, S. and R. Noyes. 2002a. (Eds.) The Mechanics 
and Physics of Modern Grain Aeration Management. CRC 
Press, Boca Raton, FL 647 pp. 
O.H. Friesen, D.N. Huminicki.1986. Grain Aeration and 
Unheated Air Drying , Manitoba Agriculture , pages 3-30. 
 Chris Warrick, Kondinin Group, July 2011. Aerating 
Stored Grain Cooling or Drying For Quality Control. GRDC, 
pages 2-20
THANK YOU

R10 aeration system for storage

  • 1.
    Name: PRACHI PAHARIYA Id no.: 14AG63R10 Native place: KATNI (M.P.) Email:prachipaharia28@gmail.com Education: B.TECH(AGRICULTURAL ENGG.) University of graduation: CAE, JAWAHARLAL NEHRU KRISHI VISHWAVIDYALAYA, JABALPUR (M.P.) Year of passing out: 2014 Job experience (if any): NO Training/projects undergone: TRAINING-1. ONE MONTH FROM CENTRAL REGION FARM MACHINERY TRAINING AND TESTING INSTITUTE , BUDNI(M.P.), 2. ONE MONTH TRAINING IN FOOD PROCESSING FROM CIAE, BHOPAL (M.P.).
  • 2.
    3. FOUR MONTHTRAINING IN REMOTE SENSING FROM IIRS, DEHRADUN(U.K.) Project :DESIGN OF RPEC DRYER UNDER GUIDANCE OF PROF. C.M. ABROAL. Seminar on: AERATION SYSTEM FOR STORAGE. This seminar helps us to understand the topic deeply and way of presenting .It also improves the confidence. The teachers are very helpful and guide the student on their mistake and want to improve the student. This seminar the proper knowledge how to present.
  • 3.
    AERATION SYSTEM FORSTORAGE PRACHI PAHARIYA (14AG63R10) FOOD PROCESS ENGINEERING
  • 4.
    CONTENT INTRODUCTION MOISTUREMIGRATION PURPOSE OF AERATION SYSTEM AIR MOVEMENT WHY AERATE HOW AERATION WORK EXPERIMENTAL SETUP DESIGN CONSIDERATION BASIC COMPONENTS AERATION-DRYING OR COOLING REFERENCES
  • 5.
    INTRODUCTION Aeration isthe process of moving air through stored grain at low flow rates to maintain its quality. It is a well known and proven Integrated Pest Management (IPM) tool for controlling insects and other risks in stored grains. Useful storage management tool which can preserve grain from deterioration, especially where the moisture content of the grain is above its safe level.
  • 6.
  • 7.
    PURPOSE OF AERATIONSYSTEM Aeration of stored grain has four main purposes — Preventing mould  Inhibiting insect development Maintaining seed viability Reducing grain moisture
  • 9.
    Air movement withinthe grain stack Grain at the top of the stack is the hottest, as heat rises through the grain. The sun heats the silo roof and internal head space, resulting in the surface grain at the top of the silo heating up . When grain is stored at moisture contents above 12 percent, the air in the head space heats and cools each day creating ideal conditions for condensation to form, wetting the grain at the top of the stack.
  • 10.
    From the aerationfan outlet, air will take the easiest route to the top of the grain stack — the path of least resistance. Poor aeration ducting can result in pockets of grain not being aerated. The peak of grain in a silo is another common place that aeration bypasses. The path of least resistance is to the side, below the peak of the stack as it is a shorter distance from the aeration ducting.
  • 11.
    WHY AERATE DRYGRAIN To remove generated heat and water from grain It keep the grain in temperature equilibrium with the outside thereby preventing moisture migration Important in reducing mold growth and insect activity. Fumigant applicant Removing or reducing odors from grains.
  • 12.
    WET GRAIN Removesheat by natural respiration of the grain and keep the grain near to the outside air temperature Number of days grain can be held under various condition without excessive spoilage and deterioration
  • 14.
    EXPERIMENTAL SETUP Propertiesof grain samples The grains were maintained at a moisture content of 11 -13%. Impurities were reduced to less than 2%. The following grain properties were analysed regularly to monitor the changes happening during storage of grains in the silos. 1. 100 seeds weight (kg) 2. Moisture content (d.b) 3. Grain density (kg/m3) 4. Bulk density (kg/m3) 5. Bed porosity
  • 15.
    Other suggested chemicalproperties 1. Pasting properties (Farinograph and RVA) 2. Cooking properties (Texture, hardness) 3. Lipid content 4. Protein content 5. Phenols 6. Flavour
  • 16.
    CALCULATING CYCLE TIME: Where, AT = aeration time, hours/cycle AR = airflow rate, cfm/bu TW = test weight, lb/bu 1 lb/bu=12.87 kg/m3 Controlled aeration at 15oC in early autumn and 7oC in late autumn for 2-cycle.  Binning in summer followed by controlled aeration at 24oC (2 cycle autumn cooling cycle)
  • 17.
    DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS Generaldesign factors •Location/harvest date •Grain Type (coarse vs. small) •Storage structure •Available energy •Cooling speed vs. energy cost
  • 18.
    Other factors tobe considered: • Airflow rate • Propeller vs. centrifugal fan type • Airflow direction (suction or pressure) • Distribution (ducts or perforated floor) • Control (manual or automatic)
  • 19.
    Basic components ofthe aeration system • Fans • Ducts • Floor distribution system • Roof vents, exhaust fans • Controls for fan regulation • Pressure switch on fans for negative pressure systems
  • 20.
    Fans Axial –Van-axial – Tube-axial (small - 2Hp or less) – Low cost, noisy – 3 – 5 inches static pressure
  • 21.
    Centrifugal – 1460to 3500 rpm – Higher cost – Quieter – More airflow per HP above 5” static pressure
  • 22.
    Available Aerations Systems 1. A single perforated duct. 2.A rectangular perforated area located in the middle of the floor. 3. A cross duct arrangement. 4. A V shaped duct 5. A fully perforated floor.
  • 25.
    Vent types 1.Gooseneck vent
  • 26.
  • 27.
  • 28.
    OPIGIMAC Temperature andInsect Monitoring, Aeration Fan Control System
  • 29.
    Roof vents controllers • Normally closed • Designed to open under pressure of vacuum • Interlocked electrically with fans • Reduces insect infiltration Fan controllers • Temperature limit thermostats • Humidity control • NEMA 4R housing • Hour meter, selector switch • Time delay relays (TDR) for multiple fans • Off-the-shelf components Relative humidity and temperature controllers
  • 30.
    Air distribution systems Provide uniform airflow through the grain. Consist of – Transitions, manifolds, supply ducts – Perforated ducts, pads or false floors – Roof vents or exhaust fan systems
  • 31.
    Transition/supply duct airvelocities • Maximum design air velocity – positive pressure: 2500 fpm – negative pressure: 2000 fpm • Preferred design air velocity – positive pressure: 1500-2000 fpm – negative pressure: 1000-1500 fpm
  • 32.
    Air flow rates Depends on the fan motor (upper limit of air flow). Negative Airflow – Pros… • Reduced condensation under steel roofs. • Cooling zone movement estimated by fan exhaust air temperatures. • Can hold covers on outdoor grain piles. – Cons… • Needs larger transition/duct cross-section areas (especially in flat storage). • Roof damage if vents freeze (use neg. pressure switch). •Top grain heat moves through all grain.
  • 33.
    Positive Airflow –Pros… • Distribution in flat storage is more uniform • Add warm grain w/o heating cool grain • Aeration zone finished when surface grain cools • Less plugging of perforated floors or ducts – Cons… • Condensation under steel roofs • Heat of compression raises air temp. 3-10° F
  • 34.
    Air flow pathratio A + B <= 1.5 C C: duct to grain peak A + B … longest path Perforated floors Cereal Grains: 3/32”diameter perf. Smaller Seeds: 3/64 to 1/16”
  • 35.
    Grain aeration systemsare generally designed to carry out either a drying or cooling function — not both. •Aeration cooling can be achieved with airflow rates of 2–3 litres per second per tonne delivered from fans driven by a 0.37 kilowatt (0.5 horsepower) electric motor. • Aeration drying can be achieved with fans delivering 15– 25L/s/t, typically powered by 7kW (10hp) electric motors. • The risk of using high capacity fans for cooling is they increase grain moisture very quickly if run when ambient conditions are above 85 per cent relative humidity.
  • 37.
    Cooling or drying— making a choice There are some simple rules to follow: • Grain that is dry enough to meet specifications for sale (12.5 per cent for wheat or 13.5 per cent for sorghum) can be cooled, without drying, to slow insect development and maintain quality during storage. • Grain of moderate moisture (up to 15 per cent for wheat and sorghum) will require aeration drying to reduce the moisture content to maintain quality during storage. • If aeration drying is not available immediately, moderately moist grain can be cooled for a short period to slow mould and insect development, then dried when the right equipment is available. •High-moisture grain (for example, 16 per cent and higher for wheat and sorghum) will require immediate moisture reduction before cooling for maintenance.
  • 38.
    REFERENCES Reed, C.R. 2006. Aeration. In: Managing Stored Grain to Preserve Quality and Value. AACC International, St. Paul, Newyork, Pages 141-180 Navarro, S. and R. Noyes. 2002a. (Eds.) The Mechanics and Physics of Modern Grain Aeration Management. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL 647 pp. O.H. Friesen, D.N. Huminicki.1986. Grain Aeration and Unheated Air Drying , Manitoba Agriculture , pages 3-30.  Chris Warrick, Kondinin Group, July 2011. Aerating Stored Grain Cooling or Drying For Quality Control. GRDC, pages 2-20
  • 39.