Rice Drying 81

Rice Drying-81
Project Leader and Principal UC Investigators Paul Singh, Dept. of Agricultural Engineering, UC Davis	The objective of this project is to increase energy efficiency of rice dryers. Studies in 1981 tested a previously developed computer model of rice drying at a commercial cross-flow dryer. A statistical analysis from eight sets of experimental results showed that agreement between predicted performance from the computer-aided model and actual performance was excellent. The computer model will be useful in developing energy-saving modifications of cross-flow rice dryers. Initial use of the computer model in partial recycling of exhaust air in cross-flow dryers shows a potential for 10 to 20 percent in energy reductions. A new pilot-scale concurrent-flow rice dryer was built and is being tested for performance and energy saving potential. A commercial dryer based on the concurrent-flow principle is using 20 to 40 percent less energy than the typical cross-flow dryers, according to the operator. The pilot-scale dryer will be used to evaluate the performance of this new system for different California rice varieties and operating conditions.

Rice Drying-81

Project Leader and Principal UC Investigators

Paul Singh, Dept. of Agricultural Engineering, UC Davis

The objective of this project is to increase energy efficiency of rice dryers. Studies in 1981 tested a previously developed computer model of rice drying at a commercial cross-flow dryer.

A statistical analysis from eight sets of experimental results showed that agreement between predicted performance from the computer-aided model and actual performance was excellent. The computer model will be useful in developing energy-saving modifications of cross-flow rice dryers. Initial use of the computer model in partial recycling of exhaust air in cross-flow dryers shows a potential for 10 to 20 percent in energy reductions.

A new pilot-scale concurrent-flow rice dryer was built and is being tested for performance and energy saving potential. A commercial dryer based on the concurrent-flow principle is using 20 to 40 percent less energy than the typical cross-flow dryers, according to the operator. The pilot-scale dryer will be used to evaluate the performance of this new system for different California rice varieties and operating conditions.