ANÁLISE ENERGÉTICA DE UM SISTEMA DE SECAGEM DE MILHO EM SECADOR ROTATIVO

The objective of this work was to analyze the feasibility of drying corn (Zea mays L.) with rotary dryers with radial air distribution, generally used for coffee drying, by evaluating the energy consumption and corn quality. The drying air temperature was maintained at 80 and 100 °C. The drying systems consisted of a commercial rotary dryer and a modified dryer. Liquid petroleum gas was used to heat air. Corn grains with initial moisture content of about 19.5% w.b. were used in the experiment. The specific energy consumption and consumption of fuel and electricity were determined to evaluate energy efficiency of the drying system. The results showed lower specific energy consumption for the modified rotary dryer. The technical modifications carried out in the gas heat generator, reduced mean fuel consumption by about 50%. The breakage susceptibility of the grains was below 5%. The mean percentage of total cracking in the commercial dryer was 17.6% higher than that obtained with the modified dryer.