2007 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) 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. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) 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. 4.Accomplishments Development of a Grain Equilibrium Moisture Content Probe: An instrument probe was developed to measure the equilibrium moisture content (EMC) of grain using a relative humidity (RH) and temperature (T) sensor. The probe was designed for insertion into the top of grain bulks. Advantages of this method of moisture measurement are that the sensor is inexpensive and is interchangeable. Disadvantages are that moisture measurements rely on the accuracy of ERH and T predictions of moisture and the response time of the sensors are slow to equilibrate to the grain environment. Instrument response time was substantially improved by forcing airflow over the sensor and using prediction models to determine the equilibrium value of the sensor. Measurements time was reduced to approximately five minutes or less. This accomplishment addresses NP 306 Action Plan Component 1 “Quality Characterization, Preservation, and Enhancement,” Problem Area 1c “Factors and Processes that Affect Quality.” Development of a Grain Moisture Content Sensor: A low-cost moisture sensor was designed for measuring moisture content and temperature of agricultural commodities. The 8.89 cm long by 1.778 cm diameter sensor was mounted on the end of hand-held probes and in 1.5 liter canisters and tested in wheat and corn over a range of moisture contents from approximately 1% to 20%. The sensor response was a continuous, repeatable function of moisture content, with a low signal to noise ratio, in these applications indicating it may be effective for measuring the moisture content of grain during storage or transportation in cargo holds. The sensor is water-tight and constructed with corrosion resistant materials which allow moisture content and temperature measurements to be made of industrial materials, chemicals, and fuels. The sensor may also be supported on cables in grain storage bins to acquire continuous, in situ data for stored grain management and the control of aeration and low-temperature drying systems. This accomplishment addresses NP 306 Action Plan Component 1 “Quality Characterization, Preservation, and Enhancement,” Problem Area 1c “Factors and Processes that Affect Quality.” Grain Storage Management: Relative humidity and temperature sensors were used to indicate moisture content changes of wheat during simulated aeration. These sensors provided reasonably accurate predictions of MC and would be useful for storage management. Carbon dioxide sensors were also used for simulated wheat aeration monitoring and could indicate the presence of adverse (high moisture) storage conditions. This accomplishment addresses NP 306 Action Plan Component 1 “Quality Characterization, Preservation, and Enhancement,” Problem Area 1c “Factors and Processes that Affect Quality.” Design of Beneficial Insect Shipping Containers: Suppliers of beneficial parasitoids for Integrated Pest Management (IPM) control of harmful insects need better containers and specifications for healthy shipping of the parasitoids. We defined shipping container design requirements by modeling heat transfer through shipping container walls and used data from instrumented containers shipped via Federal Express from a cooperating manufacturer’s laboratory to GMPRC for validation. Specifications were developed for the insulation and natural refrigerant necessary for maintaining the internal temperature in the desirable range throughout the shipping time based on heat transfer analysis and field tests. This information will allow beneficial insect suppliers to safely ship their insects while using the most economical size of package and natural refrigerant. This accomplishment addresses NP 306 Action Plan Component 1 “Quality Characterization, Preservation, and Enhancement,” Problem Area 1c “Factors and Processes that Affect Quality.” 5.Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations None. 6.Technology Transfer Number of non-peer reviewed presentations and proceedings 5 Review Publications Ingles, M.A., Casada, M., Maghirang, R.G., Herrman, T.J., Harner, J.P. 2006. Effects of grain-receiving system on commingling in a country elevator. Applied Engineering in Agriculture. 22(5):713-721. Tilley, D.R., Casada, M., Arthur, F.H. 2007. Heat treatment for disinfestation of empty grain storage bins. Journal of Stored Products Research. 43:221-228.