Finite Element Prediction of Silage Temperatures in Tower Silos

TEMPERATURE is an important factor affecting the quality of silage. Exposure to excessively high temperatures over long periods of time results in silage that is heat damaged. The objective of this report is to predict silage temperatures in tower silos over relatively long periods of time. Finite element heat transfer analyses were carried out on a 6.1 m diameter concrete tower silo filled with silage. The upper layers were selected for analysis because the highest temperatures occur there. Comparison of the finite element results with experimental measurements over a 50-day test period showed very good agreement. The effect of silo diameter, solar radiation and diffusivity of the silage were examined. The silage in smaller diameter silos cools much faster than in large diameter silos. In silos with a diameter greater than 7 m the temperature of the upper layer may be expected to remain around the initial temperature over 50 days after filling.