Start / Grain and storage / Grain grading and drying
Enter the mass, initial moisture, and final moisture to find out how much water leaves, how much the batch shrinks, and how much time and energy the drying takes.
Pre-sizing and estimating tool: the results do not replace a design, calculation, or report signed by a qualified professional, nor verification against the applicable standards.
Kilos of water the dryer removes to reach the final moisture you entered; the dot marks your batch.
How much extra water comes out when drying to a lower moisture level; the highlighted bar is your target.
Drag the controls to simulate data different from what you entered (from 30% less to 30% more) and watch the result change instantly.
Kilos of water to remove for each combination of initial and final moisture, with the grain mass you entered.
The calculation done in steps, with the values you entered.
The calculation memo gathers this page's inputs, results, equations, assumptions, and references, with fields for project, responsible person, and review. The full report also includes the charts and interpretations, in color. In the print window, choose Save as PDF.
Enter the wet grain mass and the initial and final moisture, always on a wet basis. Then type the dryer's evaporation rate in kg of water per hour and the specific energy in kcal per kg of water. The calculator shows the water to evaporate, the final mass, the weight loss, the drying time, and an energy estimate.
100 t of corn at 22% moisture, drying to 13%, a dryer that removes 1,500 kg of water per hour and 1,200 kcal per kg of water.
Water to evaporate = 100,000 × (22 − 13) ÷ (100 − 13) = 10,345 kg. Final mass = 89,655 kg (89.7 t). Weight loss = 10.3%. Time = 10,345 ÷ 1,500 = 6.9 h. Energy = 10,345 × 1,200 = 12.4 Gcal.
Harvest moisture is high; safe storage moisture is lower and depends on how long the grain will be stored. The values below are typical ranges, to be confirmed with the storage operator.
| Grain | Usual storage |
|---|---|
| Soybean | 12% a 13% |
| Corn | 13% |
| Wheat | 13% |
| Rough rice (paddy) | 12% a 13% |
Silos, dryers and elevator pits are confined spaces, with risk of burial, poisoning and dust explosion. Follow NR-31 and the confined space standards, with entry permits, ventilation and an attendant outside.
To set the sale weight after drying, use the classification and net weight. To add the drying cost to the crop, use the production cost per hectare.
About 10.3% of the initial mass: M × (22 − 13) ÷ (100 − 13). In 100 t, it is 10,345 kg of water.
Because evaporated water leaves the mass. Dry matter stays the same; only the moisture and total weight change.
Use M × (Ui − Uf) ÷ (100 − Uf), with moistures on a wet basis. The dry matter stays the same; only water leaves the mass.
Generally between 12% and 13%, depending on the grain and storage time. The longer the storage, the lower the moisture should be to prevent fungi and insects.
The calculator uses wet basis, which is the everyday basis for warehouses and grading. If your measurement is on dry basis, convert it: Ubu = Ubs ÷ (100 + Ubs) × 100.
Harvest at the lowest moisture possible without field losses, set the dryer's temperature and airflow, keep the furnace and screens clean, and avoid drying beyond the target.
Important notice: the Agrocalcs tools make estimates and preliminary sizing based on the data entered and on published engineering methods. They do not replace a design, a calculation report or a report signed by a qualified professional (CREA/ART), nor verification against the applicable technical standards and legislation, such as the Regulatory Standards of the Ministry of Labor. Material and fuel properties vary: check with the manufacturer or with analyses of your process before deciding. By using the site, you agree to the Terms of Use.
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