Grain bin aeration apparatus and method

A method of aerating a grain storage bin having an upright perimeter wall and a hopper bottom defined by a conical wall tapering downwardly and inwardly from the upright perimeter wall to a discharge opening at a bottom of the conical wall, the method comprising:

• providing an aeration apparatus comprising:
• (i) a primary duct spanning linearly and diametrically across the bin in proximity to a top of the hopper bottom from a first end to a second end of the primary duct;
• (ii) two first secondary ducts extending circumferentially of the bin in two opposing directions from the first end of the primary duct towards respective discharge openings of the first secondary ducts in which the first secondary ducts are in open communication with the first end of the primary duct;
• and (iii), two second secondary ducts arranged to be supported in the bin to extend circumferentially of the bin in two opposing directions from the second end of the primary duct towards respective discharge openings of the second secondary ducts in which the second secondary ducts are in open communication with the second end of primary duct;
• connecting an aeration fan externally of the bin with the first end of the primary duct within the bin;
• operating the aeration fan such that:
• (i) the primary duct receives a primary flow of air from the aeration fan directed linearly and diametrically across the a center of the grain storage bin from the first end to the second end of the primary duct;
• and
• (ii) each secondary duct receives a secondary flow of air directed circumferentially away from the primary duct towards the discharge opening of the secondary duct for discharging the secondary flows of air into the bin through the discharge openings.

An aeration apparatus for use with an aeration fan for aerating a grain storage bin having an upright perimeter wall and a hopper bottom defined by a conical wall tapering downwardly and inwardly from the upright perimeter wall to a discharge opening at a bottom of the conical wall, the apparatus comprising:

• a primary duct extending longitudinally between opposing first and second ends of the primary duct and being arranged to be supported spanning diametrically across the bin in proximity to a top of the hopper bottom;
• two first secondary ducts arranged to be supported in the bin to extend circumferentially of the bin in two opposing directions from the first end of the primary duct towards respective discharge openings of the first secondary ducts, the first secondary ducts being in open communication with the first end of the primary duct;
• two second secondary ducts arranged to be supported in the bin to extend circumferentially of the bin in two opposing directions from the second end of the primary duct towards respective discharge openings of the second secondary ducts, the second secondary ducts being in open communication with the second end of primary duct;
• and
• an inlet duct arranged to communicate through one of the walls of the bin between the aeration fan externally of the bin and the first end of the primary duct within the bin;
• wherein the primary duct is arranged to receive a primary flow of air from the aeration fan directed across the primary duct from the first end to the second end of the primary duct;
• wherein each secondary duct is arranged to receive a secondary flow of air directed circumferentially away from the primary duct towards the discharge opening of the secondary duct for discharging the secondary flows of air into the bin through the discharge openings;
• and
• wherein the primary duct includes at least one bottom opening at a bottom side of the primary duct adjacent a center of the grain storage bin so as to be arranged to discharge a portion of the primary flow of air therethrough into the grain storage bin.