Possible use of cross-flow dryers for heat disinfestation of grain

Trials on the performance of a cross-flow grain dryer were arranged in October 2002 in northern NSW. In the first two trials, two batches of 25 t of barley were dried from 9.4% and 11.6% to 8.2% and 10.2% moisture content using inlet air temperature of 82°C and 72°C, respectively. In the third trial, 25 t of wheat were dried from 14% to 10.5% moisture content using an inlet air temperature of 82°C. The aim was to explore the possibility of using this type of dryer for heat disinfestation of grain. The average final grain temperature and temperature distribution across the grain batch were measured during the trials, and compared with grain temperatures necessary to kill stored grain pests. Conditions were shown to be favourable for heat disinfesting grain in a cross-flow dryer. Germination tests on treated grain found no significant adverse effects on grain.