Solar grain drying system and method
AssigneeLegacy Design, LLC
InventorBarry R. Thompson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention includes an apparatus, system, and method for the drying of particulate agricultural matter, especially particulate crops, such grains. The present invention provides a crop particulate (i.e., grain) drying system utilizing solar energy to heat a heat transfer fluid or solution within concomitant forced-air and radiant heat systems which pass heated air through a crop particulate material contained within a conventional crop silo or bin. Electricity demand may be met through utilization of solar photovoltaic panels backed up by connection to an external power source (i.e. power utility).
Claims17
A system for drying a particulate agricultural product in a silo, said system comprising:
- b. a silo having an interior space, said silo comprising an air conduit adapted to provide drying air within to said interior space;
- c. an air blower adapted to provide forced drying air through said air conduit;
- d. at least one heat exchanger in heat transfer contact with said air conduit, said heat exchanger adapted to accept a heat transfer fluid;
- e. a heat transfer fluid storage tank adapted to accept and store a heat transfer fluid, and to supply said heat transfer fluid to said at least one heat exchanger and to receive said heat transfer fluid from said at least one heat exchanger;
- f. an evacuated tube solar panel adapted to heat a heat transfer fluid and to supply said heat transfer fluid to said heat transfer fluid storage tank and to receive said heat transfer fluid from said heat transfer fluid storage tank;
- g. a photovoltaic solar panel adapted to generate electricity and to supply electricity to said heat transfer fluid storage tank;
- h. a heating unit adapted to heat the heat transfer fluid in said heat fluid storage tank, said heating unit adapted to use electricity generated by said photovoltaic solar panel;
- i. a silo air sensor adapted to determine whether said drying air is at a pre-determined temperature;
- and
- j. a controller unit adapted to receive a signal from said silo air sensor and to control the flow of said heat transfer fluid from said heat transfer fluid storage tank in response to said signal.
A system for drying a particulate agricultural product in a silo, said system comprising:
- b. a silo having an interior space, said silo comprising:
- i. at least one lateral wall and a roof;
- ii. a floor portion, said floor portion comprising:
- 1. a base of an insulative material;
- and
- 2. an aggregate floor laid above said base, and
- 3. a radiant heating conduit.
A method for drying a particulate agricultural product in a silo, said method comprising:
- a. placing a particulate agricultural product in a silo having an interior space, said silo comprising an air conduit adapted to provide drying air to said interior space;
- b. operating an air blower adapted to provide forced air into said air conduit, said air blower having a heat exchanger in heat transfer contact with said air conduit, said heat exchanger adapted to accept a heat transfer fluid;
- c. providing a heat transfer fluid to said heat exchanger, said heat exchanger being provided with said heat transfer fluid from a heat transfer fluid storage tank adapted to accept and store a heat transfer fluid, said heat transfer fluid storage tank dispensing heat transfer fluid to said heat exchanger alternatively by:
- i. said heat transfer fluid storage tank comprising a heating unit, said heating unit heating said heat transfer fluid using electricity generated by a photovoltaic solar panel, and dispensing said heat transfer fluid to said heat exchanger;
- or
- ii. said heat transfer fluid storage tank accepting heat transfer fluid from an evacuated tube solar panel adapted to heat said heat transfer fluid, and dispensing said heat transfer fluid to said heat exchanger;
- and
- d. operating said blower and continuing to circulate drying air at sufficient temperature within said interior space and for sufficient time so as to reduce the moisture content of said particulate agricultural product.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.