Dry Grains

Other factors affecting the energy required for drying grain include the moisture content at harvest and moisture content for storage. If the grain dries in the field, no fuel is required for drying but field losses, both grain quantity and quality, may be higher. Avoiding overdrying also results in energy savings since less water is removed.

The energy savings to be obtained from a grain dryer with air-recirculation capability depends on the type and the amount of air recirculated in the dryer and the difference between the recirculation air temperatures and the drying temperature. Dryers that can recirculate only the cooling air show an energy efficiency increase of 10 to 20 percent compared to equivalent dryers without air recirculation. Units capable of recirculating both the cooling and part of the drying air may improve energy efficiency up to 30 percent. Air recirculation may increase the fire hazard when drying sunflower, so it is not normally recommended.