Drying curve of corn seeds by the intermittent method

Abstract

The objective of this work was the determination of the drying curve of corn seeds for different air temperatures during the intermittent drying process. Three lots of double hybrid AG-162 corn seeds and a D'Andrea dryer, model D-200, were utilized. Air temperatures of 70, 80 and 90°C, were used during the drying process. The following determinations were made: seed moisture content, air temperature at drying, seed temperature in drying roon and drier outled, air relative humidity and environment temperature. Considering the temperature of the drying processes at 70, 80 and 90°C and the reduction of moisture content from 16,5% to 13,0%, the following conclusions were obtained: a) corn seed drying curves in the intermittent drying process can be represented by linear functions; b) the increase of the drying speed and the reduction of total time of seed exposition to hot air can be achieved by temperature elevation of drying air.