Boundary Elements Heat Transfer Model of Temperature Distribution in Grain Storage Bins

Boundary element method was used to solve heat conduction problem for predicting temperature distribution in grain storage bin. Temperature of grain in storage is one of the three main abiotic factors, besides the intergranular gas composition and the grain moisture content, that determine the keeping quality and control measures used to protect grain from insects and damaging microflora. Collecting the temperature data at various points in the storage bins at different time of the day over a period of time is one way of finding the temperature distribution, this method requires a lot of time, cost and labour and less efficient. However data so collected serve useful purpose of being used to validate predicted temperature distribution using mathematical models. Mathematical models based on physical principles can potentially predict with accuracy the temperature distribution in a grain storage bin. Using the boundary element model the effect of bin wall material, ambient emperature, bin size etc. on temperature distribution can be studied. A knowledge of temperature distribution in stored grain not only helps in identifying active deterioration , but also gives an indication of potential for detection.