Three-dimensional specific airflow rate simulation for performance evaluation of large storage bin aeration systems

Oleg Khatchatourian¹; Manuel Osório Binelo¹; Vanessa Faoro¹; Nelson Toniazzo¹; Saul Winik¹

¹ UNIJUI

doi:10.20906/CPS/COB-2015-0390

Resumo

Aeration systems are of vital importance for maintaining the quality of the grains stored in large storage bins. This work uses the local airflow rate as the evaluation criteria of an actual aeration system. Experimental data consisting of air pressure distribution were obtained for a large storage bin facility, and these data were compared to a three-dimensional simulation of the air flow trough the grain bulk. A specialized mathematical model using the finite element method was used to carry out the simulations in three dimensions, which presented good agreement with the experimental data. The analysis of air distribution was made using the specific airflow rate criteria identifying possible improvements in the aeration system.

Palavras-chave: Aeration Systems; airflow rate; FEM