What is the cost of installing and operating an aeration system for this purpose?
Aeration cooling can provide greater flexibility in grain storage management, with the potential to maintain grain quality during storage, provide non-chemical suppression of stored product insects and prevent storage induced spoilage. Grain aeration is the pumping of naturally occurring air through a static grain bulk. It is carried out in a silo using a duct or an arrangement of ducts, exhaust vent and fan to move air through the grain. The aeration air is selected from local ambient air. This is done using an automatic controller for best results, although timers, thermostats and manual selection are commonly used by growers. Aeration-cooling systems can cool grain at any time of the year, particularly during summer. The benefits of aeration cooling include: • Evens out grain moisture content and temperature of stored grain • Prevents moisture migration and surface crusting • Prevents condensation at cold walls and floors • Suppresses insect infestation • Maintains grain quality; fo
