Evaluation of Three Na/Lt in-Bin Drying Strategies in Four Corn Belt Locations

The performance of the variable heat (VH), continuous natural air (CNA), and continuous constant heat (CH) fanand burner control strategies were evaluated using simulation for four locations (Indianapolis, Ind.; Des Moines, Iowa; Lansing,Mich.; and Minneapolis, Minn.), three airflow rates (0.83, 1.1, and 1.7 m3 min-1 t-1), and two harvest dates (25% and75% of the harvest period). The ideal airflow rate for each location/harvest date combination was determined based on thecriterion of limiting the dry matter loss (DML) to 0.5% or less, and minimizing the total drying cost. An airflow rate of 1.1 m3min-1 t-1 was identified as optimum for the VH and the CH in-bin drying control strategies in all locations. In a comparisonbased on total drying cost, final moisture content (MC) range, average final MC, and drying ending date, the VH strategyoutperformed the other two strategies (CNA and CH) for all location and harvest date combinations. A sensitivity analysisshowed that the VH strategy costs were sufficiently stable to make it the least-cost option for the entire range of propane,electricity, and grain prices explored.