DYNAMIC PROGRAMMING FOR PROCESS OPTIMIZATION 1. AN ALGORITHM FOR DESIGN OF MULTI‐STAGE GRAIN DRYERS

A dynamic programming algorithm for determining the optimum operational parameters and size of a multi-stage concurrent flow dryer with intermediate tempering stages was developed. The objective function was based on energy and capital costs. The operational parameters were constrained by the desired final moisture content and the maximum allowable value of important grain quality factors. The two- and three-stage concurrent flow dryers have a higher investment cost than the single stage unit, but were less expensive to operate due to the decreased grainflow rate in the single-stage unit. On the basis of operating cost, the multi-stage concurrent flow dryer was preferable to a comparable crossflow dryer for drying corn.