Microwave effect dries grain
Microwave effect dries grain
KITCHEN technology comes to the grain store in one of the more unusual new developments to be seen at Agromek.
KMW, Kier MicroWave has designed a grain drier which utilises the heating effects of microwaves. The company claims outputs of up to 10t/hour when drying wheat from 22% moisture down to 14% – with a unit which takes up only a fraction of the space used by conventional driers.
The machine, in its basic form, comprises a 20cm (8in) diameter horizontal auger through which grain enters one end. As the grain moves slowly along its length, it is heated by a bank of microwave producing units.
Moisture extracted from the grain – microwaves travel to the very heart of individual grains – is removed by a flow of warm air generated by a fan and heater unit positioned at one end of the auger. Once dried, the grain exits the auger before being taken away for storage.
Surprisingly perhaps, the manufacturer claims that, providing the temperature created by the microwaves does not exceed 60C, grain intended for seed can be safely dried. In terms of power, 10kWh/%/t is stated as being required which also includes the power consumed by the heated air flow. Still very much in its development stage, KMW expects a 10t/hour unit to retail for about £30,000.
Microwaves dry the grain in this prototype unit from Danish maker KMW.