Verified FBN Member (MN)

Machinery

What is everyone's opinion on installing heating units on air dry bins ??

We have four 48' diameter air dry bins. Each bin is 60,000 bushels and have two 10hp. centrifigal fans on them. We are considering adding heating units to help with wetter grains/ speed up the process some what. Do we install them on both fans per bin or can we get by with one?? Will this even be cost effective or is it a waste of time??? (Approximate cost is $6000/bin) What is everyone's experiance ??? Thanks

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Verified FBN Member (AR)

I believe you need 1 cfm/bu to add heat efficiently and even at half full and 2 - 10 hp fans you wouldn't have that much airflow. For an expert opinion, you might try contacting the stepsgms.com company and ask the owner ( *) about the cfm. His product might be useful because anytime the fan is on and the relative humidity is too high (70-75%) you are adding moisture that has to be removed again. Exactly why you need the heat or a way to turn the fans off. Also, check out this extension publication from the University of Arkansas: https://www.uaex.edu/farm-ranch/crops-commercial-horticulture/Grain_drying_and_storage/Docs/FSA%201075%20Selection%20Performance%20and%20Maintenance%20of%20Grain%20Bin%20Fans.pdf

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