Grain Drying, Cooling and Storage
Theory, Technology, and Applications
- 1st Edition - February 1, 2027
- Latest edition
- Authors: Werner Muhlbauer, Joachim Müller
- Language: English
Grain Drying, Cooling and Storage: Theory, Technology, and Applications is an authoritative and comprehensive handbook addressing the critical postharvest processes of grain drying… Read more
Description
Description
Grain Drying, Cooling and Storage: Theory, Technology, and Applications is an authoritative and comprehensive handbook addressing the critical postharvest processes of grain drying, handling, storage, and cooling. With global food security increasingly challenged by climate change, energy scarcity, and geopolitical conflicts, efficient and sustainable grain preservation technologies have never been more essential.
This book responds to the urgent need for updated, practical knowledge that supports reducing postharvest losses, maintaining grain quality, and optimizing energy use across diverse agricultural systems worldwide. The handbook covers both theoretical foundations and practical applications, integrating the latest research and innovations in drying kinetics, energy-efficient technologies, and quality preservation. It uniquely includes detailed models for single grain and bulk drying, novel optimization strategies, and extensive evaluations of equipment such as conveyors, cleaning machines, burners, furnaces, and various dryer types. Special attention is given to emerging renewable energy solutions and technologies suited for developing countries and smallholder farms, bridging the gap between scientific advances and real-world implementation. The inclusion of grain cooling and comprehensive storage methods further enhances its value as a complete postharvest resource.
Grain Drying, Cooling and Storage: Theory, Technology, and Applications empowers engineers, researchers, and industry professionals in the food industry with practical guidelines, technical data, and quality-focused strategies to improve grain handling processes. By combining scientific rigor with hands-on insights, the book aids in maximizing drying efficiency, reducing energy consumption, preserving grain quality, and ensuring food safety. Its global perspective and extensive coverage make it an indispensable reference for anyone involved in grain production, processing, and storage, supporting sustainable agriculture and food security worldwide.
This book responds to the urgent need for updated, practical knowledge that supports reducing postharvest losses, maintaining grain quality, and optimizing energy use across diverse agricultural systems worldwide. The handbook covers both theoretical foundations and practical applications, integrating the latest research and innovations in drying kinetics, energy-efficient technologies, and quality preservation. It uniquely includes detailed models for single grain and bulk drying, novel optimization strategies, and extensive evaluations of equipment such as conveyors, cleaning machines, burners, furnaces, and various dryer types. Special attention is given to emerging renewable energy solutions and technologies suited for developing countries and smallholder farms, bridging the gap between scientific advances and real-world implementation. The inclusion of grain cooling and comprehensive storage methods further enhances its value as a complete postharvest resource.
Grain Drying, Cooling and Storage: Theory, Technology, and Applications empowers engineers, researchers, and industry professionals in the food industry with practical guidelines, technical data, and quality-focused strategies to improve grain handling processes. By combining scientific rigor with hands-on insights, the book aids in maximizing drying efficiency, reducing energy consumption, preserving grain quality, and ensuring food safety. Its global perspective and extensive coverage make it an indispensable reference for anyone involved in grain production, processing, and storage, supporting sustainable agriculture and food security worldwide.
Key features
Key features
- Presents a wide-ranging compilation and evaluation of postharvest technologies used worldwide, including drying, handling, storage, and cooling of grains
- Describes theoretical models (such as single grain drying equations, thick layer drying models, and a novel concentric spheres model) with practical guidelines, equipment specifications, and operational recommendations
- Focuses on reducing thermal energy consumption in drying processes through optimization strategies, heat recovery systems, and the use of biomass and renewable energy sources like wood, rice husk furnaces, and green hydrogen
- Contains detailed technical parameters, numerous diagrams, tables, graphs, and photos illustrating equipment and processes, alongside psychrometric charts and drying curves for different cereals
Readership
Readership
Design engineers in the grain processing industry, Researchers and scientists in food processing industry, Professionals in large-scale farms, commercial drying, and storage enterprises
Table of contents
Table of contents
1. Grain production and utilization
2. Grain properties
3. Properties of the air
4. Grain quality
5. Grain drying theory
6. Drying kinetics
7. Quality kinetics
8. Grain conveying
9. Grain and air cleaning
10. Burner - heater- furnaces
11. Fans and air distribution systems
12. Natural drying
13. Low-temperature drying
14. High-temperature batch dryer
15. Continuous-flow dryer
16. Grain storage
17. Grain cooling
18. Receive and quality control
19. Testing – evaluation
2. Grain properties
3. Properties of the air
4. Grain quality
5. Grain drying theory
6. Drying kinetics
7. Quality kinetics
8. Grain conveying
9. Grain and air cleaning
10. Burner - heater- furnaces
11. Fans and air distribution systems
12. Natural drying
13. Low-temperature drying
14. High-temperature batch dryer
15. Continuous-flow dryer
16. Grain storage
17. Grain cooling
18. Receive and quality control
19. Testing – evaluation
Product details
Product details
- Edition: 1
- Latest edition
- Published: February 1, 2027
- Language: English
About the authors
About the authors
WM
Werner Muhlbauer
Werner Mühlbauer received his master's degree (Dipl.-Ing.) in 1969 and doctoral degree (Dr.-Ing.) in 1974 in mechanical engineering from the University of Stuttgart, Germany and has been working in the field of drying agricultural commodities since 1970. His research covers almost all aspects of drying technologies (physical properties, drying theory, drying simulation, drying kinetics, impact of drying on quality, energy saving, development of drying methods, dryer testing and evaluation, etc.). Prof. Mühlbauer developed high accuracy test benches and standardized procedures to measure drying curves to predict drying behaviour and impact on quality of most important drying products (cereals, root and oil crops, vegetables and spices, stimulants, fruits and medicinal plants. He has published 353 papers in national and international scientific journals; he holds 6 patents and gave more than 250 presentations at scientific conferences in 25 countries, mainly on drying of agricultural products. He supervised 31 PhD-theses, 168-MSc theses and 95-BSc theses. He is author of the Handbook on Grain Drying (in German), the only book on this topic worldwide containing all aspects of drying from drying theory to practical applications. Since his retirement in 2004, Prof. Mühlbauer is working as scientific adviser to a leading German drying company.
Affiliations and expertise
Retired Professor, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, GermanyJM
Joachim Müller
Joachim Müller received his master’s degree in 1985 and his doctoral degree in 1992 from the University of Hohenheim in Stuttgart, Germany. His research focuses on resource-saving technologies in agriculture, particularly the drying of agricultural commodities He has a special emphasis on the drying and storage of grains, including solar drying and hermetic storage of rice. Prof. Müller serves as Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of Applied Research of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants and is a member of the editorial boards of several other journals.
Affiliations and expertise
University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany