SIMULATION of CANOLA and BARLEY DRYING IN A DEEP BED

A mathematical model for a radial, continuous-crossflow dryer was modified and used to simulate the drying process in a fixed bed dryer. the predictions of the adapted model were compared with experimental test results for canola drying at the following drying conditions: airflow rates of 0.4 and 0.6 kg/(m²s), inlet air humidity 0.098 and 0.0114 kg/kg of dry air, initial grain moisture content 0.221 and 0.251 kg/kg dry basis. In both tests the inlet drying air temperature was kept at an average of 67.5°C. At the end of canola drying, the mean drying air temperature predicted by our model was within 1°C of the measured temperature and the mean predicted moisture content was within 0.5% of the measured moisture content, dry basis. Also, our model was verified against experimental results for barley published by other authors and against predictions from a published model for barley. the predictions from our model were in good agreement with the published experimental and predicted data. Simulations results for canola and barley drying in the same thickness of a deep bed were compared. Simulations were conducted to investigate the effects of canola properties such as bulk density and dryinig conditions of air such as airflow rate and air humidity on drying in deep beds of canola.