DESICCANT GRAIN APPLIED TO THE STORAGE OF SOLAR DRYING POTENTIAL

ABSTRACT

Sorption storage of solar heat using a layer of wheat as the desiccant was analyzed by means of a deep-bed drying model. Intended to be applied to solar-assisted in-storage drying of agricultural bulk materials, the probability of the persistence of unfavorable weather periods was quantified statistically for Potsdam for the month of August, as an example. Simulation results demonstrate that a relative humidity of the drying air of 65 % can be maintained day and night for weeks without combustion of fossil fuels. Using a simple strategy of control, periods with insufficient solar radiation can be bridged over. The desiccant grain is not endangered by mold growth as a matter of principle. Simple solar air heaters can be used to avoid economic losses due to overdrying and to reduce the danger of decay to a minimum even at unfavorable climatic conditions.

KEY WORDS:

• solar drying
• storage
• grain
• modeling
• simulation