Design and Strength Analysis of the Main Frame of an Innovative Grain Dryer with Deformation Gauge Measurement of the Mass of the Dried Material
Abstract:
Seeds of crops such as rapeseed, corn, and sunflowers require postharvest drying for proper storage. Inadequate seed moisture leads to the development of bacteria and fungi. Inadequate humidity increases the content of harmful fusarium micro toxins. The average moisture content of corn during harvest is up to 35%, in the case of rapeseed, 12%, and in the case of wheat - 18%, while the recommended moisture content for grain storage is 14% for corn, 6% for rapeseed, and 14% for wheat. There are mobile and stationary dryers available on the market that can be used as flow or batch dryers. The aim of the work is to develop an innovative concept of a dryer with strain gauge measurement of the mass of dried material and to analyse the strength of its main frame. The dryers available on the market do not have scales that could control weight loss. The project included the analysis of commercialized and available solutions on the market, the development of a 3D CAD model of the entire dryer with a hopper of 8 m3, and an analysis of the strength of the dryer's main frame using the finite element method. The 3D model and FEM strength analysis were made in SolidWorks. The developed dryer has a good chance of commercialization.
