Experimental Investigation of Drying Kinetics of Corn Grain in a Counter-Current Continuous Dryer Equipped with Inert Particles

In this research, drying kinetics of corn grains in a countercurrent continuous dryer at different operating conditions was investigated. A factorial experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with three replications. Results showed that the dual interaction effects of all the parameters on the moisture content of the grains were significantand other interaction effects were not significant. Accordingly, drying rate of grains increased by increasing the drying air temperature, air velocity and mass flow ratio of inert particles to the grains as well as decrease in grain velocity through the drying bin. The best drying condition based on drying duration was achieved when air temperature, mass flow rate of drying air and mass ratio of inert particle to the grain as well as mass flow rate of grain through the drying bin had the values of 70 ̊c, 1.5kg/min, 3 and 0.17 kg/min, respectively.