GrainStorage7July2008.pdfVIP

Grain Storage Grain Storage Dr. Chusak Chavapradit Post-harvest Engineering Research Group, Agricultural Engineering Research Institute, Department of Agriculture. 1. Introduction Rice storage facilities take many forms depending on : - quantity of grain to be stored, - purpose of storage, and - location of the store. Rice for food purposes be stored in Paddy form (=threshed, unhulled rice) rather than milled rice Husk in paddy provides some protection against insects and helps prevent quality deterioration Brown rice storage form, 20 % less storage capacity The requirements for a good storage system include: •Prevention of moisture re-entering the grain after drying •Protection from insects, rodents and birds •Ease of loading and unloading. •Efficient use of space •Ease of maintenance and management. Rice grain is hygroscopic and in open storage systems the grain moisture content will eventually equilibrate with the surrounding air. High relative humidity and high temperatures contribute to high equilibrium or final moisture content. In many tropical countries, the equilibrium moisture content is above safe storage moisture levels! (For more info on Equilibrium moisture content and Equilibrium Relative Humidity) 2. Safe storage conditions for grain Safe storage of rice for longer periods is possible if three conditions are met: 1.Grain is maintained at moisture levels of 14% or less and seed is stored at 12% or less 2.Grain is protected from insects, rodents and birds 3.Grain is protected from re-wetting by rain or imbibing moisture from the surrounding air. The longer the grain needs to be stored, the lower the required moisture content (MC) will need to be. Grain and seed stored at moisture contents above 14% may experience the growth of molds, rapid loss of viability and a r