1Visiting Student, Department of Biosystems Engineering, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
2Vice-President (Research and International) and Distinguished Professor, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, Email: Digvir.Jayas@umanitoba.ca
3Director, IICPT, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India
Online published on 13 January, 2015.
A non-linear model that can explain three dimensional airflow pressure patterns in bins filled with canola was developed using the finite element method. Resistance to airflow through the porous matrix (canola) was described using a modified form of Darcy's equation. The airflow model was validated against experimental data obtained from studies conducted in a flat bottom bin of 4.6 m diameter containing‘Tobin’ canola, aerated using a fully perforated floor. The average relative error between the experimental and predicted values for the entire bin geometry was 1.8 per cent. Relative error values decreased with increasing grain bed height and bin diameter. The airflow pressure patterns resulting from eight other duct configurations were simulated. The model can be used to predict the airflow distribution in various grain beds and has the capability to handle variations in product type, moisture content, foreign material content, direction of airflow and aeration duct designs.
Airflow distribution, pressure pattern, simulation, finite element modelling, duct configuration
