Are Grain Drying Fans Fit For Your Set Up? 

Farms need a solid storage system if they want to sell grains at optimal times to get the most profit. At the heart of any storage is a quality grain drying fan.

However, with the number of alternatives to grain storage, are drying fans even the best approach?—Yes! 

Airflow is critical in any storage system. And, in this article, we’ll be guiding you on:

• The basics of grain drying fans.

• The advantages of grain drying.

• Types of grain drying fans.

• When you should use multiple fans. 

What Is A Grain Drying Fan?

Too much moisture in storage systems reduces the overall quality of your crops. The best way to address this issue is by removing the moisture using grain dryers. 

There are several types you can install, mostly using a double inlet type or two-stage axial flow fans. Grain drying involves fans circulating air through the grain, preventing spoilage. 

But, the benefits don’t stop there. Having an excellent grain management system in tandem with quality fans in your storage system also gives you the following advantages. 

The Advantages Of Grain Drying

Drying plays an essential role in the production of quality grain. With a clear strategy in place for storage, you can get the following:

• Safer storage: Reducing moisture in the grain to optimal levels prevents degradation or germination. Farms can store grain for longer periods without compromising quality. Doing so allows farms to sell grain at times when profits are highest.

• Less waste: Wastage is a common issue that significantly cuts profits. A proper storage system reduces risks associated with theft, external elements, and rodents. This leads to harvested products marketed with minimal wastage. 

• Increased quality: Having a dryer allows farms to control parameters at optimal levels through independent treatment resulting in better quality. The increase is directly correlated to the reduction of product wastage and increased productivity.

• Less molding: Grain is susceptible to molding when introduced to moisture. Molds and aflatoxins are harmful to both humans and animals. A dryer eliminates this risk by reducing the water content. 

• More profits: Some of the main factors affecting grain profits are the quality of the grain and when the grain is sold on the market. Grain dryers help you with both, allowing you to sell your grain at the most favorable times at the best quality. 

Now that we know the benefits, let’s take a look at the types of grain-drying fans you can use. 

Types Of Grain Drying Fans

Source: UK Exchangers

There are several types of grain drying fans for different use cases and storage designs. The following are the most common fans applicable in most grain-drying setups. 

Propeller Fans

These fans “can” be used to dry grain but aren’t recommended. This is what you’d usually see in livestock, potato ventilation, or even attic exhausts. They are commonly axial-flow type fans consisting of 2 to 7 long blades. 

The fans are typically mounted on a wall or plenum divider. Meanwhile, others are belt-driven with an impeller hub attached to the motor shaft. Propeller fans won’t generate more than 2 inches of water pressure, which isn’t ideal for drying grain. 

Tube-Axial And Vane-Axial

These fans are axial flow fans but are situated inside a barrel-shaped housing. Unlike propeller fans, tube or vane axial fans have several short blades attached. Vane fans often have guide vanes to help control air turbulence. 

Both tube and vane-axial fans are the most commonly used fans in grain drying. This is partly due to their cheap cost and efficiency when static pressure is less than 4 inches of water. However, these fans are loud and won’t work against high static pressure. 

Centrifugal

You’d often see centrifugal fans with backward-curved or backward-inclined blades. If you’re scaling your grain storage, then a centrifugal fan is something to consider. They’re more expensive than tube and vane axial fans, but, they are the most efficient. They can easily handle static pressure greater than 4 inches of water and they make less noise.

To make this fan effective, you’d need to install a housing around the motor to bring heat to the airflow. But, be careful when using centrifugal fans with a forward-curved blade. Motors on these fans easily burn out when above certain pressure thresholds. 

Inline Centrifugal

These fans give out axial airflow. However, they are sporting a centrifugal-type impeller. This results in inline centrifugal fans having similar performance to backward-inclined and tube-axial fans.

When Should You Use Multiple Fans?

Installing more fans is necessary for some grain storage setups. This will provide air for a supply manifold for a duct system. The fans can be arranged either in parallel or in series in your grain silos.

Source: Iowa State University Digital Repository

But, before installing multiple fans, consider the following:

• Your fan supplier’s strongest fan can’t handle the pressure or airflow required in your storage system. 

• The starting current for a single large fan motor is higher than what your electrical system can handle. You get a lower maximum starting current if several small fans are started simultaneously. 

• More fans allow you to be flexible with the operations. When conditions are right, you can lower airflow or increase airflow when needed. 

• In some cases, you can get better air distribution from several smaller fans versus a larger one. 

Key Takeaways

Installing a grain drying fan is essential to ensure optimal operations in your storage systems. So, before investing in a fan, remember the following:

• There are four main fan types you can choose from: Propeller, tube-axial and vane-axial, centrifugal, and inline centrifugal fans.

• You can choose to install multiple fans to optimize airflow when necessary.

• Installing fans results in better profits as it helps maintain grain quality in storage.

• Moisture can cause several issues in your storage. Drying fans help maintain moisture levels at optimal rates.

• Airflow can be better if you install multiple fans rather than use a single large fan. 

If you want to optimize your grain drying and storage systems, look no further than Wall Grain Handling Systems. Contact us today!