Simulation Model for Reversing Direction Airflow Drying of Rough Rice

ABSTRACT THE Michigan State deep-bed drying model for cereal grains was modified and utilized to investigate rough rice drying in a small fixed-bed dryer. Comparisons were made between reversing direction airflow and one direction airflow drying method. The optimal reversed time interval was found to be approximately 54 percent of the total drying time required for one direction airflow method. The simulation results indicated that the reversing direction airflow significantly reduced the final grain moisture gradient. However, the energy consumption increased up to 10 percent and the drying efficiency was slightly lower for reversing direction airflow as compared to one direction airflow drying.