SOLAR DRYING OF CORN FOR SEEDS PRODUCTION

Abstract

This study was carried out to compare the effect of two different drying methods on drying corn. The experiments were carried out in rice mechanization center at Meet El- Dyba, Kafr El- Sheikh Governorate, Egypt during summer 2016. The experimental measurements included Solar radiation in and out the dryer, ambient air temperature and its relative humidity, air dryer temperature and its relative humidity, grain bulk temperature, moisture content, drying rate, thermal efficiency and quality tests of dried grain. Ear and shelled corn was dried by using solar energy for heating air inside a greenhouse and compared with natural sun drying method. Results indicated that the times required to reduce the moisture content from 31.73%(d.b) to 14.07%(d.b) were 26, 24 and 28 hours for solar drying at air velocities of 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 m/s respectively as compared to 46 hours for natural sun drying method for complete ear corn. The corresponding drying times for shelled corn were 12, 10 and 14 hours to reduce the moisture content from an initial level of 27.23% to 19.97% (d.b.) as ear corn, and 8, 6 and 10 hours to reduce the moisture content from 19.97% to final level of 14.12%(d.b.) as shelled corn at air velocities of 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5m/s respectively as compared to 38 hours for natural sun drying method.