• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.449-460
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• 2001

This study was carried out to develop a simulation model with EES(Engineering equation solver) for analyzing the performance of a grain cooler. In order to validate the developed simulation model, several main factors which have affected on the performance of the gain cooler were investigated through experiments. A simulation model was developed in the standard vapor compression cycle, and then this model was modified considering irreversibe factors so that the developed alternate model could predict the actual cycle of a grain cooler. The compressor efficiency in vapor compression cycle considering irreversibility much affected on the coefficient of performance(COP). The COP in the standard vapor compression cycle model was greatly as high as about 6.50, but the COP in an alternative model considering irreversibility was as low as about 3.27. As a result of comparison between the actual cycle and the vapor compression cycle considering irreversibility, the difference of pressure at compressor outlet(inlet) was a little by about 48kPa (8.8kPa), the temperatures of refrigerant at main parts of the grain cooler were similar. and the temperature of chilled air was about 8$\^{C}$ in both. The model considering irreversibility could predict performance of the grain cooler. The theoretical period required to chill grain of 1,383kg from the initial temperature 24$\^{C}$ to below 11$\^{C}$ was about 55 hours 30 minutes, and the actual period required in a grain bin was about 58 hours. The difference between the predicted and an actual period was about 2 hours 30 minutes. The cooling performance predicted by the developed model could well estimate the cooling period required to chill the grain.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.269-275
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• 2004

This study was conducted to develop an optimization model using Box's Complex Algorithm, and to determine optimum operating conditions to minimize costs for the drying and storage system using the grain cooler. To minimize the system operation cost, the optimum moisture contents after the first drying were found to be from 17.2 to 19.8 %. And optimum drying and cooling capacities were obtained. The combination of the dryer and grain cooler was found to be economical, showing enhancement of the drying capacity over 50%, and decrease of drying cost over 10%. When the circulating grain dryers of 6 and 20 ton/batch were used in conjunction with the grain cooler, the cost required for drying and storage system for paddy were 28,464∼33,317won/ton and 20,588∼26,511 won/ton, respectively, which was from 2.6 to 27.3% lower than that of conventional drying and storage system.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.250-256
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• 2004

The objectives of this study were to develop a new commercial grain cooler suited to domestic weather and post-harvesting conditions for paddy, and to evaluate the performance. A prototype grain cooler capable of cooling paddy of 200 tons within 24 hours was developed. The grain cooler was designed to control the refrigeration capacity from 0 to 100% by controlling the capacity of compressor with unloading solenoid valve and by changing the flow rates of hot refrigerant gas flowing into reheater and evaporator from compressor. And a controller with one chip microprocessor was developed to control temperature and relative humidity of cooling air. The maximum cooling capacity of the grain cooler was 35,284㎉/hr at condensing/evaporating pressure of 16.5/3.6 kgf/$\textrm{cm}^2$. Maximum flow rate of cooling air was 120 ㎥/min at static pressure of 279 mmAq. The total maximum required power was 22.8㎾, and total required energy was saved from 26.7 to 33.3% of maximum power depending on operating conditions. The coefficient of performance of refrigeration devices and total coefficient of performance of the grain cooler were 4.71 and 1.8, respectively.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.263-268
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• 2004

Two field cooling tests were conducted to evaluate the cooling characteristic of paddy with a prototype grain cooler. The first test was carried out during summer season in a steel bin with 180.3ton of paddy at Sunchon. And the second test was carried out during harvesting season in a steel bin with 272.2ton of paddy at Ulsan. At the first test, initial paddy temperature of 23.6$^{\circ}C$ was dropped to 14$^{\circ}C$, and initial moisture content of 19.9% was dropped to 19.3% after 52.5 hours of cooling. At the second test, initial paddy temperature of 16.1$^{\circ}C$ dropped to 5.5$^{\circ}C$ after 78.0 hours of cooling. And, at the first test, the average air flow rates of chilled air leaving the grain cooler and penetrating the grain layer were 77.5 ㎥/min and 42.5 ㎥/min, respectively. To prevent leakage of chilled air from plenum chamber of steel bin, which was about 45% of the average air flow rates of chilled air leaving the grain cooler, a proper method was required. The average total power consumption at the first test during summer was 22.1 ㎾ with control of fan damper. At the second test, it was 17.4 ㎾ due to controlling the capacity of compressor with unloading solenoid valve and changing the flow rates of hot refrigerant gas flowing into evaporator and reheater from compressor, resulting in 27% reduction of energy consumption.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Agricultural Machinery Conference
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• 1999.12a
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• pp.470-475
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• 1999

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Agricultural Machinery Conference
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• 2000.07a
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• pp.185-190
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• 2000

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Postharvest Science and Technology of Agricultural Products Conference
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• 2002.08a
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• pp.54-63
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• 2002

Post-harvest technology for rice was focused on in-bin drying system, which consists of about 100, 000 facilities in 1980s. The modernized Rice Processing Complex (RPC) and Drying Storage Center (DSC) became popular for rice dry, storage, process and distribution from 1990s. However, the percentage of artificial drying for rice is 48% (2001) and the ability of bulk storage is about 15%. Therefore it is necessary to build enough drying and bulk storage facilities. The definition of high quality rice is to satisfy both good appearance and good taste. The index for good taste in rice is a below 7% of protein, 17-20% of amylose, 15.5-16.5% of moisture contents and high concentration of Mg and K. To obtain a high quality rice, it is absolutely needed to integrate high technologies including breeding program, cropping methods, harvesting time, drying, storing and processing methodologies. Generally, consumers prefer to rice retaining below b value of 5 in colorimetry, and the whiteness, the hardness and the moisture contents of rice are in order of consumer preference in rice quality. By selection of rice cultivars according to acceptable quality, the periods between harvesting time and drying reduced up to about 20 days. Therefore it is necessary to develop a low temperature grain drying system in order to (1) increase the rate of artificial rice drying up to 85%, (2) keep the drying temperature of below 45C, (3) maintain high quality in rice and (4) save energy consumption. Bulk storage facilities with low temperature storage system (7-15C) for rice using grain cooler should be built to reduce labor for handling and transportation and to keep a quality of rice. In the cooled rice, there is no loss of grain quality due to respiration, insect and microorganism, which results in high quality rice containing 16% of moisture contents all year round. In addition, introducing a low temperature milling system reduced the percentage of broken rice to 2% and increased the percentage of head rice to 3% because of proper hardness of grain. It has been noted that the broken rice and cracking reduced significantly by using low pressure milling and wet milling. Our mission for improving rice market competitiveness goes to (1) produce environment friendly, functional rice cultivars, (2) establish a grade standard of rice quality, (3) breed a new cultivar for consumer oriented and (4) extend the period of storage and shelf life of rice during postharvest.

• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.51-67
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• 1996

There are three main rice-growing regions in the United States: the prairie region along the Mississippi River Valley in eastern Arkansas; the Gulf Coast prairie region in southwestern Louisiana and southeastern Texas; and the Central Valley of California. The Central Valley of California is producing about 23% of the US rice(Fig. 1). In California. most of the crop has been produced in the Colusa, Sutter, Butte, Glenn Counties of the Sacramento Valley since 1912, when rice was commercially grown for the first time in the state(Fig. 2). Roughly speaking, the average annual area sown to rice in California is about 300,000 acres to 400,000 acres during the last forty years(Fig. 3). California rice is grown under a Mediterranean climate characterized by warm, dry, clear days, and a long growing season favorable to high photosynthetic rates and high rice yields. The average rice yield per acre is probably higher in California than in any other rice-growing regions of the world(Fig. 4). A dependable supply of irrigation water must be available for a successful rice culture. Most of the irrigation water for California rice comes from the winter rain and snow-fed reservoir of the Sierra Nevada mountain ranges. Less than 10 percent of rice irrigation water is pumped from wells in areas where surface water is not sufficient. It is also essential to have good surface drainage if maximum yields are to be produced. Rice production in California is highly mechanized, requiring only about four hours of labor per acre. Mechanization of rice culture in California includes laser-leveler technology, large tractors, self-propelled combines for harvesting, and aircraft for seeding, pest control, and some fertilization. The principal varieties grown in California are medium-grain japonica types with origins from the cooler rice climates of the northern latitudes (Table 1). Long-grain varieties grown in the American South are not well adapted to California's cooler environment. Nearly all the rice grown recently in California are improved into semidwarf varieties. Choice of variety depends on environment, planting date, quality desired, marketing, and harvesting scheduling. The Rice Experiment Station at Biggs is owned, financed, and administered by the rice industry. The station was established in 1912, as a direct result of the foresight and effort of Charles Edward Chambliss of the United States Department of Agriculture. Now, The station's major effort is the development of improved rice varieties for California.