Unbalanced Airflow Effects On Multi-Trailer Peanut Dryers1

Abstract Airflow rates through each plenum port of 71 peanut dryers were measured in situ and ranged from 5 to 15 m3/min/m3. Dryers with one fan, or two fans in tandem, and with four or more plenum ports had lower airflow rates through the two ports closest to the fan(s) than through the other ports unless there was a V-shaped baffle in the plenum. Airflow rates were nearly equal in dryers with baffles. Simulation results for curing peanuts from 25 to 10% moisture content predicted a reduction in curing time from 61 to 46 h as airflow rate increased from 5 to 10 m3/min/m3. Little reduction in curing time resulted from increasing airflow rates above 10 m3/min/m3. Electrical energy consumption increased from 17 to 246 kWh/trailer and LP-gas consumption increased from 135 to 274 L./trailer as airflow rate increased from 5 to 15 m3/min/m3. Installing a baffle in a dryer to balance the airflow rates to individual drying trailers resulted in seasonal curing time and energy savings ranging from 0.5% to 3.5% for ...