What are major aeration system design differences of Southern vs Central/North U.S ?
• Greater temperature differentials and lower air temperatures in the northern U.S. vs central and southern U.S. allow northern grain managers to use standard commercial aeration airflow rates of about 0.1 cfm/bu successfully. An aeration rate of 0.1 cfm/bu works fine in northern states where there the time between summer harvest and cool weather is short. • For good grain moisture and insect management in the central and southern U.S., higher airflow rates are needed. For central states, I recommend 0.15-0.20 cfm/bu. For southern and gulf coast states, I recommend using 0.20-0.30 cfm/bu. EXAMPLE: A 10,000 bu farm bin in TX, OK, LA, AR, MS, AL, FL or GA should use a fan, duct and roof vent system sized for 0.2 to 0.3 cfm/bu; the fan should deliver 2,000 to 3,000 cfm. A bin with 0.1 cfm/bu in SD, MN or IA will cool grain in late summer or early fall in about 120-150 hours, depending on peaked or level surface, grain cleanliness and duct and vent designs. A properly designed aeration sys
