Computer simulation of temperature changes in a wheat storage bin

A mathematical model describing the transient temperature distribution of g rain in a cylindrical storage bin with mixed boundaries is presented and so lved using the finite element method. Using the typical meteorological data of a region such as temperate China, temperature changes of wheat in a sto rage bin are simulated and analysed in detail. Simulated results indicate t hat high temperature accumulation areas of the grain are in the bin centre and near the bin bottom or at the top surface of the grain throughout the w hole year and ventilation under appropriate weather conditions is necessary . This method can be used to develop and evaluate aeration control strategy and reduce the need for chemical treatments of grain during storage. (C) 2 000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.