Grain Drying with Biomass

I thought the pipes could be put on top of an existing concrete floor. Just move them out of the way as you empty the shed.

And cut holes in the wall to get the air in?

We considered that as we already had a concrete floor but in the end they wouldn't suit drying bales of straw and hay which we are just switching onto today. It would work though as long as you fixed the pipe into the hole in the wall and the air blast didn't blow them out.
 

Thick Farmer

Member
Location
West Wales
And cut holes in the wall to get the air in?

We considered that as we already had a concrete floor but in the end they wouldn't suit drying bales of straw and hay which we are just switching onto today. It would work though as long as you fixed the pipe into the hole in the wall and the air blast didn't blow them out.

I'm considering using a large main duct down one wall with smaller pipes coming off it like @Turra farmer said above.
A couple of tek screws should hold it all together!
I was thinking to paint lines on the floor so I have some idea of where the pipes are.
 
I'm considering using a large main duct down one wall with smaller pipes coming off it like @Turra farmer said above.
A couple of tek screws should hold it all together!
I was thinking to paint lines on the floor so I have some idea of where the pipes are.

I'd probably make the main duct out of concrete panels then cut a recess into the panel to slot the floor duct into. If they move with grain on them your knackered arnt you.
 

William26

Member
I have a lot of hot water which is going to waste would it be possible to use this as underfloor heating to dry green bedding? Any suggestions would be appreciated!
 

William26

Member
This would not be for any RHI payments, I’m just wondering if something could be done similar to drying grain with underfloor hot air but this would be hot water pipes.
 

wilber

Member
Location
wales
This would not be for any RHI payments, I’m just wondering if something could be done similar to drying grain with underfloor hot air but this would be hot water pipes.

You would need air to pass through the grain i would imagine or it would retain the heat the at the bottom. My answer would be to put in a drying floor and use a heat exchanger fan transferring the heat out of the water to the air as mentioned earlier in the thread. UK exchangers sell them

http://www.uk-exchangers.com/heat-exchange-products/industrial-dryers/

another use may be to have a hot water pressure washer but using a water to water plate heat exchanger.
 

William26

Member
Do you not think a thin steel plate with hot water pipes running underneath would be genarate enough heat? It would probably be a 4 inch spread across a 15ft x 30ft area.
If I added a fan that would mean having the running costs of the Xchanger.
 

wilber

Member
Location
wales
It may generate enough heat but you need to remove the moisture, this is done with air flow. You could end up with warm moist grain at the bottom which could cause no end of problems.
 
Welvent

1mw exchanger
Big fan, plenum made of panels.

Not dried anything with it yet mind...

IMG_20180330_123348.jpg
IMG_20180405_125749.jpg
IMG_20180405_125828.jpg
 

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