Segregation of particles during maize loading process in a center-loaded silo

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Engineering
• Grain Storage Technology
• Material Handling

Background:

• Kernel breakage and segregation are inherent issues during maize silo loading.
• Understanding these phenomena is crucial for optimizing grain storage conditions, including aeration, drying, and insect control.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the distribution and segregation of various maize components during the loading process.
• To analyze the impact of drop height on the spatial distribution of broken kernels, dust, fragments (BKDF), and impurities.
• To develop a model predicting porosity distribution influenced by kernel breakage and segregation.

Main Methods:

• Maize was loaded into a center-loaded silo from four different drop heights (0.3, 1, 2, and 3.1 m).
• Samples were collected using a vertical sampling tube at multiple radial locations.
• Porosity distribution was determined based on the collected samples and spatial position.

Main Results:

• Increased drop heights led to a higher content of broken kernels, dust, and fragments (BKDF).
• BKDF concentration decreased nonlinearly with increasing distance from the silo's center.
• Foreign kernels concentrated near the center, inorganic impurities in the mid-radius, and organic impurities near the wall.
• Porosity was minimized at the silo center (0.421-0.438) and increased radially outward.

Conclusions:

• Kernel breakage and segregation significantly influence porosity distribution within the silo.
• Drop height is a critical factor affecting the segregation of maize components.
• The developed nonlinear model can predict porosity distribution, aiding in improved grain storage management.