Air Dry Bin System Dries Corn For Less
Over the past 2 years, Ben Casper dried corn 4 to 6 points using 1/5 the energy of a conventional grain dryer. His Sectional Drying System (SDS) uses fans to push fresh air through specially vented bins to dry the crop. No heat needed.
“I blow air into the corn through 2 sets of perforated ducts,” explains Casper. “A second set of perforated ducts lets moisture escape out of the bin.”
Casper encircles the outside of the SDS bins with air tubes that deliver a steady flow through perforated tubes crisscrossing the interior. As it passes into the grain, the air picks up moisture and flows into layers of exhaust tubes to exit holes in the bin sides.
“Initially, I only had one exhaust layer with holes at the base of the bin with air also exhausting through the top of the bin, says Casper. “This past year I added an additional exhaust layer in the middle for more flow.”
There are as many as 80 to 85 input and exhaust holes in a 10,000-bu. bin. The number of holes and tubes increases with bin size.
The multiple layers create multiple drying fronts throughout the grain bin. In a 36-ft. deep, 42-ft. dia., 40,000-bu. bin, air will move only 9 ft. from intake to exhaust, compared to 36 ft. in a conventional floor dryer bin. As a result, SDS requires only a fraction of the fan capacity. Casper estimates a 24 hp fan capacity will provide 1 cfm/bu. with the SDS compared to a 180 hp capacity needed to push air through the floor dryer bin.
“I use only two 3 hp axial fans on a 10,000-bu. bin and four 3 hp fans on a 25,000-bu. bin,” explains Casper.
Casper is currently working with an engineer to determine airflow to convert a 55,000-bu. bin. He estimates conversion costs, including electrical work and construction and tube assembly, at about $1.00/bu.
“Other in-bin drying systems are limited to short (20 to 24-ft.) bins, but the SDS system works with any height bin,” says Casper. “Stiffeners are required; however, either interior or exterior stiffeners are acceptable.”
Casper has converted bins on his family’s farm. Over the course of 2 years and many modifications, he dried 150,000 bu. of corn for a friend. He says he learned a lot in the process.
“There is extensive work that needs to be done inside the bin with the network of tubes,” says Casper. “To do it right, you really need my plans and experience.”
While a self-install might be possible using those plans, he advises using a professional contractor. He notes that even with a man lift and appropriate tools, installation on a 25,000-bu. bin can take up to a week and a half.
“I have applied for patents, and I hope to license or sell the design,” says Casper. “In the meantime, I am gearing up to produce parts to order. Let me know exact bin diameters and heights, and we can quote a price and begin the process.”
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Moveit, Inc., 171 N. Canal Blvd., Basin City, Wash. 99343 (ph 509 269-4632; bgcasper@hotmail.com; www.moveitinc.com).
Click here to download page story appeared in.
Click here to read entire issue
Air Dry Bin System Dries Corn For Less GRAIN DRYERS Over the past 2 years Ben Casper dried corn 4 to 6 points using 1/5 the energy of a conventional grain dryer His Sectional Drying System SDS uses fans to push fresh air through specially vented bins to dry the crop No heat needed “I blow air into the corn through 2 sets of perforated ducts ” explains Casper “A second set of perforated ducts lets moisture escape out of the bin ” Casper encircles the outside of the SDS bins with air tubes that deliver a steady flow through perforated tubes crisscrossing the interior As it passes into the grain the air picks up moisture and flows into layers of exhaust tubes to exit holes in the bin sides “Initially I only had one exhaust layer with holes at the base of the bin with air also exhausting through the top of the bin says Casper “This past year I added an additional exhaust layer in the middle for more flow ” There are as many as 80 to 85 input and exhaust holes in a 10 000-bu bin The number of holes and tubes increases with bin size The multiple layers create multiple drying fronts throughout the grain bin In a 36-ft deep 42-ft dia 40 000-bu bin air will move only 9 ft from intake to exhaust compared to 36 ft in a conventional floor dryer bin As a result SDS requires only a fraction of the fan capacity Casper estimates a 24 hp fan capacity will provide 1 cfm/bu with the SDS compared to a 180 hp capacity needed to push air through the floor dryer bin “I use only two 3 hp axial fans on a 10 000-bu bin and four 3 hp fans on a 25 000-bu bin ” explains Casper Casper is currently working with an engineer to determine airflow to convert a 55 000-bu bin He estimates conversion costs including electrical work and construction and tube assembly at about $1 00/bu “Other in-bin drying systems are limited to short 20 to 24-ft bins but the SDS system works with any height bin ” says Casper “Stiffeners are required; however either interior or exterior stiffeners are acceptable ” Casper has converted bins on his family’s farm Over the course of 2 years and many modifications he dried 150 000 bu of corn for a friend He says he learned a lot in the process “There is extensive work that needs to be done inside the bin with the network of tubes ” says Casper “To do it right you really need my plans and experience ” While a self-install might be possible using those plans he advises using a professional contractor He notes that even with a man lift and appropriate tools installation on a 25 000-bu bin can take up to a week and a half “I have applied for patents and I hope to license or sell the design ” says Casper “In the meantime I am gearing up to produce parts to order Let me know exact bin diameters and heights and we can quote a price and begin the process ” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Moveit Inc 171 N Canal Blvd Basin City Wash 99343 ph 509 269-4632; bgcasper@hotmail com; www moveitinc com
