Microwave Drying of Corn III. Constant Power, Intermittent Operation

In drying corn, intermittent microwave operation reduced energy loss through flowing air, and the energy requirement was lower than when similar levels of microwave power were applied continuously. Time for drying increased with intermittent operation, but the total duration of power application was less than for comparable drying in the continuous mode. Substantial reductions in energy loss were thereby achieved. Dried corn quality under the drying conditions studied did not meet seed certification standards; however, the data indicate that it may be possible to obtain seed quality corn using a 5/15 min duty cycle at 0.50 W/g absorbed power.