Field trial of in-store paddy drying and storage

• Main Authors: Pipatana Amatachaya(Rajamangala Institute of Technology. Northeaster Campus, Nakhon Ratchasima (Thailand)), Somchart Soponronnarit(King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok (Thailand). School of Energy and Materials), Somkiat Prachayawarakorn(King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok (Thailand). Faculty of Engineering), Adisak Nathakaranakule(King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok (Thailand). School of Energy and Materials), Sitthichai Inchan(King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok (Thailand). School of Energy and Materials)
• Format: Publication
• Language: Thai
• Published: Bangkok (Thailand) 1997
• Subjects: Drying; Economics; Energy consumption; Environmental factors; Humidity; Keeping quality; Oryza sativa; Storage; Temperature

Aim of this paper is to investigate the field trial of in-store paddy drying and storage. Both paddy quality and economics were taken into consideration Ambient air flow rate of 0.57 cubic m/min-cubic m of paddy was blown through the paddy bulk with 105 ton capacity. The experimental results revealed the moisture reduction at deeper depth from surface was faster than that at lower depth from surface. Moisture content of paddy was reduced from 17 percent wet-basis to 11.6 percent wet-basis within 9 weeks and then paddy bulk was continually stored wihtin 19 weeks. Paddy qualities in terms of whiteness and head yield were still maintained as compared to reference sample. Electricity cinsumpting during drying stage was 14kW-h/ton of paddy (US$ 0.84/ton of paddy). For storag, electricity consumption for ventilation, 2 h each time in a week, was 1.31 kW-h /ton of paddy (US$ 0.84/ton of paddy). The economics analysis by present worth method that in the case of in-store drying with only additional investment in air ducts, break even points were 1.5 years and 1.6 years for discount rates of 10 percent and 15 percent respectively (for paddy drying). However, for twice a year of paddy drying, the break even points reduced to be 0.6 year and 0.7 year at discount rates as mentioned before. Moreover, both income and project life wer sensitive to net present worth. From comparison pad during term of 20 year project life, it was found that break even point for the in-store paddy drying eas 6 and 7.5 years for discount rates of 10 percent and 15 percent respectively but there were on break even points for the sun drying. Income, cost and discount rate for in-store paddy drying were very sensitive to net present worth only cost in sun drying was significant so net present worth.