Project Number: 5430-43440-005-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Aug 15, 2004
End Date: Aug 14, 2009

Objective:
OBJECTIVES 1. Measure grain commingling levels during elevator handling for use in developing procedures, decision support systems, and instrumentation to facilitate value-added and identity-preserved grain segregation operations. 2. Develop new stored grain packing factors with known accuracy as needed for common grains in trade over a range of field conditions. 3. Develop improved aeration, monitoring, and sanitation systems and best management practices for quality maintenance and insect control in stored grain. 4. Measure dust emission, particle-size distribution, and air entrainment during grain unloading to facilitate reducing dust emissions from grain handling operations and equipment.

Approach:
We will (1) develop a data base of commingling in grain handling equipment and decision support systems that enable operators to make informed, science-based decisions on IP grain handling operations; (2) improve existing models of packing factor and developing a data base adequate to validate the models; (3) developing aeration strategies and systems, and modeling tools required to develop and implement them, that are self- adjusting and effective under all weather conditions during storage; and (4) developing devices and systems for physical control of grain dust emissions.

Project Team

Casada, Mark Dowell, Floyd Armstrong, Paul

Related National Programs

Quality and Utilization of Agricultural Products (306)