A Numerical Model of Drying Processes in Convection Grain Dryers Based on Coupled DEM-CFD Method

To maintain grain quality, grain drying is essential to turn the newly harvested grain from a high moisture content, high temperature and easily spoiled state to a safe condition for transportation or storage. Convection grain dryers are the most widely-used grain dryers around the world, however, the design of dryers nowadays is still mainly based on experience. This study presented a numerical model to simulate the drying processes in a mixed-flow grain dryer based on coupled DEM-CFD method. The proposed method allows the inclusion of particulate properties of grain kernels, while existing conventional CFD model assumes the moving grain as a continuum flow. It is expected that the proposed model will have better prediction accuracy than existing models, which is important for the control of grain drying processes. The proposed model could also be applied to different designs of convection grain dryer for the purpose of performance assessment and optimization.

Faculty Supervisor:

Qiang Zhang

Student:

Partner:

North Forge

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Education; Management of companies and enterprises; Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of Manitoba

Program: