Experimental determination of time in-bin cooling for corn aeration: Cool-front evolution

In this work it is shown the application of an experimental method for esti mating of time in bin cooling in a silo (7.40 m diameter, 7.60 m height) of corn from continuous full-hot dryer. The cool-front evolution was observed with a measuring and acquisition data system. Ten NTC temperature-sensing devices were installed as pairs 2 m apart in a central cable type bus in pa rallel. The temperature was measured in an autonomous and intelligent modul e that converts the received signal to digital values and transmits it unde r demand to a central collector, allowing the access to periodic and reques t consults. The grain mass temperature was established at 11.8 degrees C af ter 38 accumulated hours of cooling. This monitoring was given an adequate control of time of cooling needed to carry the grains until temperatures th at ensure optimum conditions of conservation. On other hand, when the tempe rature for sure storage was reached, the following of this variable in real time allowed to observe tends and to analyze the changes on historic infor mation of temperature inside the bin.