Development of Commercial Type of Far-infrared Grain Dryer and Its Performance on Farms

Abstract

In this paper, we develop a commercial far-infrared (FIR) dryer that has been modified from a recirculating batch dryer currently available on the Japanese market. We investigated the performance of FIR dryers using paddy and wheat and checked the quality of dried grain. We also measured the sound pressure-level generated while drying. The FIR dryer enabled reducing kerosene consumption by 10 % (rice) , 8 % (wheat)　and electricity consumption by 40 % (rice) , 24 % (wheat) compared with the same capacity recirculating batch dryer. The kerosene was burned in the FIR radiation body, and we could reduce the air flow rate, so combustion noise was low. The germination rate of rice dried by the FIR did not decrease. The increase in cracking rate of rice was 2 % or less. Furthermore, also at the drying rate more than 1.0 %w.b./h, the increase in cracking rate was few. Rice dried by FIR had greater viscosity, and palatability was good. We also confirmed that commercialized FIR dryers were economical and energy-saving on farms in Japan.