Fixed-bed batch dryer

What is a fixed-bed batch dryer?

A dryer is a mechanical device or machine that removes the water from wet grains by forcing either ambient air or heated air through the grain bulk. In a fixed-bed batch dryer, the same quantity of grain is kept stationary in a holding bin until drying is completed.

Why do we use fixed-bed batch dryers?

Fixed-bed batch dryers produce better grain quality than sun-drying, especially in the wet season. They are more affordable than re-circulating batch dryers of the same capacity or continuous flow dryers. They have certain advantages too:

  • The simple design allows local production of the drying bin, blower and furnace and ensures easy maintenance and repair.
  • It can be operated with a gasoline or diesel engine in areas where electricity is not available or very expensive.

The disadvantage is a moisture gradient that develops in the grain bulk during drying from the air inlet to the air outlet.

What are the types of fixed-bed batch dryers?

fixed bed batch dryer

Bed configurations of fixed-bed batch dryers can either be rectangular (flat-bed dryer), inclined for better unloading, or circular.

  • Flat bed dryer

Flat bed dryers have a simple drying bin, and a kerosene or rice hull furnace and are driven by electric motors, diesel or gasoline engines. Mixing improves grain quality.

fixed bed batch dryer2Typical capacity: 1-10 t/batch
  • Reversible flow dryer

To reduce the moisture gradient and eliminate the need for mixing the airflow can be reversed in reversible flow flat bed dryers.

.fixed bed batch dryer3
  • Circular bin dryer

Circular bin dryers safe floor area and can be made from cheap materials. Drying is more uneven than in flat bed dryers. If the grain bulk is thicker than 0.4 m low-temperature drying with around 4-6°C above ambient air should be practiced.

fixed bed batch dryer4

Technical specifications

Drying air temperature: <43°C
Grain depth: < 0.4 m
Air velocity: 0.15-0.3 m/s
Fan power requirement: 1.5−2.5 kW/t

For checking whether a flat-bed dryer has sufficient and even air flow: A sheet of letter sized paper placed on top of the grain must float atop the grain at all locations of the drying bin.

For more information:

Visit the Rice Knowledge Bank website (http://www.knowledgebank.irri.org), email postharvest@irri.org; or call +63 2 580 5600.

Prepared by M Gummert with inputs from JF Rickman (2004); updated by M Gummert (2010)