The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has secured a Patent No. 507172 for its innovative Portable Maize Dryer, a development is a ground breaking step for post-harvest processing in maize cultivation. This technology will replace traditional drying methods particularly in rural areas by the efficient grain drying solutions.
Development and Design
On the request of Punjab Secretary of Agriculture, PAU’s Department of Processing and Food Engineering embarked on designing a portable and efficient maize dryer. The project was led by Dr. Mahesh Kumar and Dr. Satish Kumar, with the support of Engineers from NU Tech Dairy, Ambala, under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with PAU.
Technical Features
Capacity and Efficiency: The dryer can handle 3 tons of maize per batch, effectively reducing the moisture content of freshly harvested maize from 25% to 14%, ensuring safe storage.
Operational Flexibility: This dryer can be operated using a 35 HP tractor Power Take-Off (PTO) or a 15 kW electric power source, which makes it adaptable to various farming setups.
Heating Mechanism: This dryer is equipped with a three-pass indirect heating diesel-fired furnace, the dryer consumes 3-4 liters of diesel per hour.
Advanced Control Systems: This dryer has modern features to control the process including a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) system, waste heat recovery unit, automated temperature control ranging from 50°C to 90°C, and a flame-based optical sensor, ensuring precision heating and enhanced energy efficiency.
The granting of this patent has enhanced the PAU’s commitment to advancing agricultural technology and supporting farmers with practical solutions that enhance productivity and sustainability in crop management.
