Conditioning and Storing Conditioning and Storing HighHigh--Moisture GrainMoisture Grain

Grain Journal WebinarGrain Journal WebinarApril 9, 2010April 9, 2010

Dr. Dirk E. Maier, P.E.Dr. Dirk E. Maier, P.E.Professor & HeadProfessor & Head

Grain Science & Industry DepartmentGrain Science & Industry DepartmentKansas State UniversityKansas State Universitywww.grains.kwww.grains.k--state.edustate.edu

Safe Grain Moisture Content (ERH = 65%)

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

-1 2 4 7 10 13 16 18 21 24 27 29 32 35 38

Temperature (C)

EMC

(%)

CornSoybeans

50°F 60°F 70°F 80°FWinter Storage

Summer Storage

Infection

Spores

Spor

es p

er G

ram

of C

orn

Perc

enta

ge o

f Ker

nels

Infe

cted

0

25

50

75

100

0.0E+00

5.0E+06

1.0E+07

1.5E+07

2.0E+07

0 2 4 6 8

Weeks

Growth of Growth of Aspergillus Aspergillus glaucusglaucus in Cornin Corn3232°°C (90C (90˚̊F)F), 15 % Moisture Content, 15 % Moisture Content

Mycotoxins of Concern

• Deoxynivalenol (DON; Vomitoxin)• Aflatoxin• Fumonisins• Ochratoxin• Zearalenone

Gibberella zeae Ear RotFusarium graminearum

S.L.A.M.S.L.A.M. Step 1:Step 1: SSanitationanitation

•• Handling equipmentHandling equipment•• Transportation vehiclesTransportation vehicles•• Storage structuresStorage structures

•• inside and outsideinside and outside•• Pest preventionPest prevention

•• ““Sanitation is pest control!Sanitation is pest control!””•• Residual Residual protectantsprotectants

S.L.A.M.S.L.A.M. Step 2:Step 2: LLoading oading

•• Screening/PreScreening/Pre--cleaningcleaning•• CoringCoring

•• single vs. multiple withdrawalssingle vs. multiple withdrawals•• LevelingLeveling

•• spreading (mechanical, gravity)spreading (mechanical, gravity)•• SealingSealing

•• fans, leaks, cracksfans, leaks, cracks

OverOver--FillingFilling•• Poor head Poor head

space space ventilationventilation

•• Spoiled grain Spoiled grain on silo wallon silo wall

•• Impossible to Impossible to monitor grain monitor grain surfacesurface

GravityCleaner

Aspirated Cleaner

Rotary Cleaner

Pre-Cleaning

Core of finesCore of fines•• Foreign Foreign

Material (FM)Material (FM)•• Broken grainBroken grain•• Weed seedsWeed seeds

NonNon--uniform Airflow Effect uniform Airflow Effect -- Peaked Grain MassPeaked Grain Mass

Aeration Cooling Effect Aeration Cooling Effect -- Peaked Grain MassPeaked Grain Mass

T300298296295293291289287286284282280279277275

Day 7

Aeration Cooling Effect Aeration Cooling Effect -- Cored Grain MassCored Grain Mass

T300298296295293291289287286284282280279277275

Day 7

CoringCoring

1/3-1/2 bin dia.

CoreGrain bulk

One time coring• Eliminate grain

peak• Remove core

of BCFM• Improve airflow

through center• Better monitor

grain surface

S.L.A.M.S.L.A.M. Step 3: Step 3: AAerationeration

AAeration Phaseseration Phases

•• Phase 1: Fall Cool DownPhase 1: Fall Cool Down•• Lower grain temperatures stepwise Lower grain temperatures stepwise

•• October 40October 40--45 F45 F•• November 35November 35--40 F40 F•• December 28December 28--35 F35 F

•• Phase 2: Winter MaintenancePhase 2: Winter Maintenance•• Maintain temperatures with intermittent aerationMaintain temperatures with intermittent aeration

•• January, February 28January, February 28--35 F35 F

•• Phase 3: Spring HoldingPhase 3: Spring Holding•• Keep cold grain coldKeep cold grain cold

•• Seal fansSeal fans•• Ventilate headspace intermittentlyVentilate headspace intermittently

Open FanOpen Fan

Sealed FanSealed Fan

Headspace Ventilation

135,000 135,000 bubu Bin of Corn during Bin of Corn during Summer Storage in Indiana Summer Storage in Indiana ––

NonNon--aerated on 7/28/89aerated on 7/28/89

8

1010

1010

1010

12

12

12

14

14

1414

1414

14

16 16 16

16 16

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2020

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2222

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2424

24 24 24

626

2626

26 26

228

2828

28

28

3030

3030

34

r (m)

z(m

)

0 5 100

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

T(C)363432302826242220181614121086420

13 8

14

14

14

14

r (m)

z(m

)

0 5 100

2

4

6

8

10

12

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16

18

MC(%w.b.)14.514.414.314.214.11413.913.813.713.613.5

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

Control Ambient Chilled

Month 4Month 3Month 2Month 1

Insect Cage Emergence - Field

60-65°F

70-75°F

80-85°F

Summer AerationSummer Aeration

Should cooled grain be Should cooled grain be warmed up again?warmed up again?

S.L.A.M.S.L.A.M. Step 4: Step 4: MMonitoringonitoring

•• TemperatureTemperature•• MoistureMoisture•• MoldsMolds•• InsectsInsects

•• present or absentpresent or absent•• population growth population growth •• pest control (fumigation)pest control (fumigation)

•• RodentsRodents

Use of handheld CO2 sensor (Outdoor pile)

Handheld CO2 sensor Telaire 7001 ~$400

www.telaire.com

Post-Harvest Education and Research Center, Purdue University

The Andersons, Delphi - Tank 54 (Semi-wet 17.5% MC)Total CO2 (kg)

Tota

l CO

2 (k

g)

53.7 kg (May 28)

178.2 kg (June 09)

283.5 kg (June 24)

Early Detection!April 17

April 24

Post-Harvest Education and Research Center, Purdue University

Spoilage in Tank 54

Detection of increased CO2 concentrations from self-heating corn by a CO2 sensor installed in the headspace of a bin (150,000 BU) located

near St. Mary, Kansas during Fall 2009 and Winter 2010

Near Commercial CO2 Monitor – Bintech – Purdue – KSU Project

Pitfall Probe TrapsPitfall Probe Traps

GranaryGranaryWeevilWeevil

RiceRiceWeevilWeevil

Lesser GrainLesser GrainBorerBorer

AngoumoisAngoumoisGrain MothGrain Moth

Internal Internal FeedersFeeders

Foreign Grain BeetleForeign Grain Beetle

Mold Mold FeedersFeeders

Hairy Fungus BeetleHairy Fungus Beetle

Stored Grain Management Stored Grain Management ImplicationsImplications

•• Store grain at safe moisture contentStore grain at safe moisture content•• Core & level grain after loading binsCore & level grain after loading bins•• Cool grain then seal fansCool grain then seal fans•• Manage headspace conditions with Manage headspace conditions with

intermittent ventilationintermittent ventilation•• Monitor grain regularly for insect Monitor grain regularly for insect

activity and mold developmentactivity and mold development

“Leaders & Knowledge for the Global Grain Industry”

Dr. Dirk E. Maier, Ph.D., P.E.Professor and HeadDept. of Grain Science & IndustryKansas State UniversityManhattan, Kansas, U.S.A.www.grains.k-state.edu