Project Number: 5430-43440-005-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Aug 15, 2004
End Date: Aug 14, 2009

Objective:
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.

Approach:
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.