As shown in Fig. 6, the suggested grain dryer system is an advanced assembly intended for agricultural applications. Its major purpose is to lower the moisture content of grains, which is an essential step for storage and quality maintenance. An Arduino Mega microcontroller, acting as the system's central processing unit, is at its core. This microprocessor manages the whole drying process, regulating fans, motors, and temperature sensors to provide an automated and efficient drying procedure. A 2004A 20x4 LCD is included to improve user engagement and enable real-time monitoring and changes of factors like humidity and temperature.
The circuit breaker and buck converter, which prevent electrical overloads and change voltage levels, respectively, show how important electrical safety and efficiency are to this design. Heaters and other high-power devices are handled by a solid-state relay, which serves as an efficient interface between them and the low-power microcontroller. With an AC-to-DC converter, power conversion for DC components is made easier.
The dryer's mechanical component is a 220V, 3HP AC motor, which is essential for powering fans or augers that facilitate efficient airflow and grain movement within the drier. A waterproof DS18B20 temperature sensor continuously measures the system's temperature, giving crucial information for preserving ideal drying conditions. The movement of heated air and outgoing moisture-laden air is facilitated by carefully positioned exhaust fans and stainless-steel air blowers, which are essential to the drying process.
The dryer's sturdy exterior is made of galvanized sheets, angle bars, and flat bars that combine to create a long-lasting cage that holds all the parts. A metal barrel that has been altered to function as the drying chamber for the grains is the focal point of this construction. The temperature sensor makes sure that the ideal conditions are maintained, and the 1300W heating element is positioned to heat the air entering this chamber.
To help with consistent drying, additional mechanical components such as shafting and pulleys may be added to stir the grains. Relay drivers and single-channel relay modules, which interface with the microcontroller effortlessly, are used to manage high-power equipment like the heater and motor.
Under operation, the heater, fans, and motor are all controlled by the microcontroller in response to input from the sensors to facilitate the drying process. The system is built with consistent drying in mind, with a focus on little human intervention and energy economy. For safety and effectiveness, regular maintenance is crucial. This includes checking electrical connections, cleaning air filters, and making sure mechanical elements are functioning and well-lubricated. All things considered, this design combines mechanical, electrical, and control technologies to provide an automated grain drying system that is very effective.
Relationship between Moisture content and Time
The graphical depiction in Fig. 7 illustrates the decline in moisture content of sticky rice over a while when subjected to the drying process facilitated by the Microcontroller-Based Rice Grain Dryer. The graph shows a dramatic decrease in moisture content during the first 25 minutes, with a substantial drop from 25.5–16.5%. A significant decrease in moisture content is often seen during the first phase of the drying process, which may be attributed to the substantial difference in moisture levels between the rice and the surrounding drying conditions. As the process of drying advances, it is anticipated that the graph will depict a deceleration in the rate of moisture reduction. The phenomenon is characterized by incremental decreases of 1% and subsequently 0.5% at regular intervals of 25 minutes, which signifies the slow progression towards the rice's state of equilibrium moisture content.
The graph may also provide insights into the impact of intermittent opening of the drying chamber to conduct moisture checks. These operations may result in a decrease in moisture reduction during these periods, suggesting a temporary decrease in the effectiveness of drying due to the disruption in the regulated environment of the chamber. However, it can be seen from the graph that the moisture content reaches a steady state of 13.5% after 125 minutes, thus highlighting the overall effectiveness of the drier.
The presented figure not only validates the drying capability of the system but also underscores the impact of operating techniques on the efficiency of the drying process. The findings indicate that continuous drying may result in comparable levels of moisture reduction within a shorter timeframe, underscoring the need to maintain a constant drying environment to achieve optimal efficiency. The present graphical analysis provides valuable insights into the kinetics of the drying process for rice, as well as the necessary operational changes that must be made.
To support these findings, it is advantageous to cite relevant works such as "Theoretical and Experimental Study on the Drying Kinetics of Paddy Rice" authored by Golmohammadi et. al in 2016. The investigation conducted by the researchers focuses on analyzing the drying properties of paddy rice under different environmental circumstances. This study agrees with the original findings of quick moisture reduction. Likewise, the deceleration of the drying rate as the rice approaches its state of equilibrium moisture content, seen during the latter phases of the drying procedure in your study, is also corroborated by their research results.
A further relevant research article titled "The Impact of Drying Temperature and Grain Variety on the Rate of Drying Paddy Rice" was authored by Xu et al. (2022). This study offers a comparative analysis of the responses shown by different rice cultivars when subjected to diverse drying circumstances, hence providing additional contextual information to the obtained results.
By comparing the findings with the research, a full comprehension of the efficiency and efficacy of the drying system may be attained. These investigations provide a theoretical basis for the observed drying kinetics in this research, validating the first quick moisture decrease and the subsequent slower drying rate. This serves to enhance the reliability and comprehensiveness of your findings.
Energy Consumption of the System
The graphical representation in Fig. 8 illustrates the energy use data for the drying of typical rice grains. The data was collected at regular 5-minute intervals over the whole drying process. The data on energy use shows a consistent upward trend at regular 5-minute intervals. The energy usage during the drying period starts at 0.11 kWh and gradually increases to 2.94 kWh. The increments in energy usage are as follows: 0.234 kWh, 0.364 kWh, 0.487 kWh, 0.615 kWh, 0.744 kWh, 0.807 kWh, 0.943 kWh, 1.07 kWh, 1.177 kWh, 1.313 kWh, 1.437 kWh, 1.576 kWh, 1.696 kWh, 1.836 kWh, 1.951 kWh, 2.076 kWh, 2.19 kWh, 2.313 kWh, 2.451 kWh, 2.568 kWh, 2.699 kWh, 2.827 kWh. After the conclusion of a drying cycle of 2 hours, the energy use throughout the successive chilling periods of 5 minutes each is documented as 2.958 kWh, 2.978 kWh, and ultimately 3 kWh, correspondingly. The numbers provide a comprehensive analysis of the energy demands associated with both the drying and chilling stages of the operation.