Natural Gas Grain Dryer
Extend the harvest season - and manage your crop’s
quality with a natural gas grain dryer. When the weather doesn’t
cooperate, a natural gas dryer can ensure your grain still ends up dry
in the bin. Grain quality counts...and a natural gas grain dryer can
help make a difference.
Calculate your savings...
The drying rate of a natural air grain dryer can be
slowed or stopped by adverse weather. So when the weather doesn't cooperate, a natural gas
grain dryer can make the difference between having your grain dry in the
bin or left in the field. Natural gas grain drying eliminates the
weather factor with a continuous fuel supply which although variable,
has historically been less than other energy sources.
A typical grain drying temperature for Saskatchewan is 10 C.
Therefore, using heat to dry grain during the fall season reduces drying
time, which in turn reduces consumption and cost. The term "dry" is
defined as the maximum moisture content at which the Canadian Wheat
Board buys grain without penalty and is the moisture content at which
grain can be safely stored for long periods of time. If a grain is dried
too much it loses weight.
The approximate percentages of "dry" are:
-
Wheat 14.6%
-
Barley 14.9%
-
Oats 14.1%
-
Flax 10.1%
Fuel consumption when drying grain depends on four variables:
-
Airflow rate required for each individual grain - different
grains have various textures that in turn affect fuel consumption;
-
Air temperature outside - the cooler it is outside the more fuel
that is needed to dry the grain at the required temperature;
-
Type of grain being dried - different seeds have various maximum
temperatures at which they can be dried;
-
Dampness of grain - the tougher the kernel the longer it takes
to dry, leading to higher fuel use.
Grain Drying Options
Natural gas grain drying applications include batch, continuous flow
and air drying with supplemental heat. Although prices fluctuate, one of
the most economical forms of energy has historically been natural gas to
minimize your grain drying costs.
Also, many grain terminals across Saskatchewan are equipped with
natural gas grain dryers. These facilities provide farmers with a
convenient grain drying option. Contact your local terminal for more
information.
Drying grain requires large amounts of heat, so the low cost of fuel
for a natural gas grain dryer means big savings on every bushel.
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