Solar grain drying system and method

Abstract

The invention includes an apparatus, system, and method for the drying of particulate agricultural matter, especially particulate crops, such grains. The present invention provides a crop particulate (i.e., grain) drying system utilizing solar energy to heat a heat transfer fluid or solution within concomitant forced-air and radiant heat systems which pass heated air through a crop particulate material contained within a conventional crop silo or bin. Electricity demand may be met through utilization of solar photovoltaic panels backed up by connection to an external power source (i.e. power utility).

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         11 . A system for drying a particulate agricultural product in a silo, said system comprising:
 b. a silo having an interior space, said silo comprising:
 i. at least one lateral wall and a roof; 
 ii. a floor portion, said floor portion comprising:
 1. a base of an insulative material; and 
 2. an aggregate floor laid above said base, and 
 3. a radiant heating conduit. 
 
   
     
     
         12 . A system according to  claim 11 , additionally comprising:
 b. a heat transfer fluid storage tank adapted to accept and store a heat transfer fluid, and to supply said heat transfer fluid to said radiant heating conduit and to receive said heat transfer fluid from said radiant heating conduit;   c. a silo air sensor adapted to determine whether said drying air is at a predetermined  temperature; and   d. a controller unit adapted to receive a signal from said silo air sensor and to control the flow of said heat transfer fluid from said heat transfer fluid storage tank to said radiant heating conduit in response to said signal.   
     
     
         13 . A system according to  claim 11 , additionally comprising:
 b. a heat transfer fluid storage tank adapted to accept and store a heat transfer fluid, and to supply said heat transfer fluid to said radiant heating conduit and to receive said heat transfer fluid from said radiant heating conduit;   c. an evacuated tube solar panel adapted to heat a heat transfer fluid and to supply said heat transfer fluid to said heat transfer fluid storage tank and to receive said heat transfer fluid from said heat transfer fluid storage tank;   d. a photovoltaic solar panel adapted to generate electricity and to supply electricity to said heat transfer fluid storage tank;   e. a heating unit adapted to heat the heat transfer fluid in said heat fluid storage tank, said heating unit adapted to use electricity generated by said photovoltaic solar panel;   f. a silo air sensor adapted to determine whether said drying air is at a predetermined temperature; and   g. a controller unit adapted to receive a signal from said silo air sensor and to control the flow of said heat transfer fluid from said heat transfer fluid storage tank to said radiant heating conduit in response to said signal.   
     
     
         14 . A method for drying a particulate agricultural product in a silo, said method comprising:
 a. placing a particulate agricultural product in a silo having an interior space, said silo comprising an air conduit adapted to provide drying air to said interior space;   b. operating an air blower adapted to provide forced air into said air conduit, said air blower having a heat exchanger in heat transfer contact with said air conduit, said heat exchanger adapted to accept a heat transfer fluid;   c. providing a heat transfer fluid to said heat exchanger, said heat exchanger being provided with said heat transfer fluid from a heat transfer fluid storage tank adapted to accept and store a heat transfer fluid, said heat transfer fluid storage tank dispensing heat transfer fluid to said heat exchanger alternatively by:
 i. said heat transfer fluid storage tank comprising a heating unit, said heating unit heating said heat transfer fluid using electricity generated by a photovoltaic solar panel, and dispensing said heat transfer fluid to said heat exchanger; or 
 ii. said heat transfer fluid storage tank accepting heat transfer fluid from an evacuated tube solar panel adapted to heat said heat transfer fluid, and dispensing said heat transfer fluid to said heat exchanger; and 
   d. operating said blower and continuing to circulate drying air at sufficient temperature within said interior space and for sufficient time so as to reduce the moisture content of said particulate agricultural product.   
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 14 , wherein said silo comprises a floor portion comprising a radiant heating conduit and said heat transfer fluid storage tank is further adapted to supply said heat transfer fluid to said radiant heating conduit, said method additionally comprising dispensing said heat transfer fluid to said radiant heating conduit in step (ii). 
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 14 , wherein said silo is part of a grain drying system that additionally comprises a photovoltaic solar panel adapted to generate electricity and to supply electricity, a heating unit adapted to heat the heat transfer fluid in said heat fluid storage tank, said heating unit adapted to use electricity generated by said photovoltaic solar panel; said method additionally comprising, and during step (c), determining whether said heat transfer fluid supplied to said heat exchanger by said heat transfer fluid storage tank is at a temperature insufficient to maintain said forced drying air at a pre-determined temperature, and in such event to signal said photovoltaic solar panel to supply electricity to said heat transfer fluid storage tank. 
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein said silo is part of a grain drying system that additionally comprises a photovoltaic solar panel adapted to generate electricity and to supply electricity, a heating unit adapted to heat the heat transfer fluid in said heat fluid storage tank, said heating unit adapted to use electricity generated by said photovoltaic solar panel, said photovoltaic solar panel connected to a local electricity grid; said method additionally comprising, and during step (c), determining whether said heat transfer fluid supplied to said heat exchanger by said heat transfer fluid storage tank is at a temperature sufficient to maintain said forced drying air at a pre-determined temperature, and in such event to signal said photovoltaic solar panel to supply electricity to said local electricity grid.