Сушильні системи stela для сільського господарства

For safe storage, grain should be dried to a moisture content of about 14% or less. For longer storage or higher temperatures, the rule is: the drier, the safer – from about 12% grain moisture, molds, microorganisms, and storage pests can hardly multiply. Oats are particularly sensitive and should be dried to around 12%. In addition to moisture, a cool storage temperature (if possible below 16 °C) and good ventilation are also important.

For grain corn as consumer or feed goods, STELA dryers operate with supply air or drying temperatures of up to 130 °C. The decisive factor for product quality is not the air temperature, but the grain temperature: it must not exceed about 60 °C, as excessively high grain temperatures lead to cracking, brown grains, and loss of quality. Through product-specific temperature control, the grain is dried gently, while the higher air temperature ensures economical drying performance. Corn is dried to a storage moisture content below 14%. If the corn is to be used as seed, significantly lower temperature limits apply (see question on seed drying). STELA dryers regulate temperature control in a product-specific manner.

Seeds and grass seeds must be dried particularly gently to maintain germination capacity. The grain temperature is the decisive factor: as a rule of thumb, it should not exceed 40 °C for seeds; for oilseeds like rapeseed, the limit is even lower at around 30 °C. In practice, the drying or supply air temperature may be higher, as long as the grain temperature is kept safely below these values. Even short-term overheating can significantly reduce the germination rate. Recirculating and continuous dryers with precise temperature control are suitable for gentle seed drying.

That depends on the operation. A stationary dryer is worthwhile for a permanently high, regular drying demand at a fixed location – it offers the highest energy efficiency, especially with a recirculation or Biturbo system. A mobile dryer scores with flexibility: quick change of location, no complex construction measures, usually no building permit required, and ideal for contract drying or fluctuating quantities. Those who dry various products are well advised to use the mobile BTLA belt dryer. There is no blanket answer – the decision should be made based on harvest volume, product range, and existing infrastructure.

As a rule, no. Mobile STELA dryers such as MUF, JUMBO, Universal, and BTLA are mounted on a chassis or base frame and are therefore usually not considered a structural facility – this simplifies the approval process considerably or makes it unnecessary. However, the exact requirements depend on the location, the duration of installation, and local regulations (e. g. immission control). In case of doubt, the responsible authority should be involved at an early stage.

Energy demand is usually stated in kilowatt-hours per kilogram of evaporated water. Modern, energy-efficient continuous dryers achieve values in the range of about 0.96 – 1.10 kWh/kg of evaporated water. With only 0.751 kWh/kg of evaporated water, the STELA Biturbo system sets new standards in the energy efficiency of grain drying plants, thereby undercutting the energy demand of modern plants by up to 30% and that of conventional drying systems by up to 50%. Actual consumption depends heavily on harvest moisture, target moisture, outside temperature, design, and the energy source used. Heat recovery and the use of waste heat or biomass further reduce costs.

These products have special requirements: rapeseed and oilseeds are small-grained and temperature-sensitive, legumes (beans, peas, lentils, soy) tend to crack and burst their shells if dried too quickly, and grass seeds must be treated very gently to maintain germination capacity. STELA dryers are designed for this with adapted temperature control and air volume; the self-cleaning perforated plates of the MUF, for example, are also suitable for rapeseed, and the BTLA also processes grass seeds. For precise design, a drying test in the STELA technical center is recommended.

Grain that has been correctly dried to a safe storage moisture level and cooled can be stored for many months until the next harvest. The prerequisite, in addition to the correct moisture (about 14% or below), is cool, dry, and well-ventilated storage, regular temperature monitoring, and clean, pre-cleaned harvested material. The storage duration varies depending on the type of grain and its fat or oil content. A well-thought-out combination of cleaning, drying, and cooling is the key to preserving value.

Yes. In addition to oil and gas, STELA dryers can also be operated with biomass (e.g., wood chips, grain straw, pellets), biogas, or waste heat from combined heat and power plants, biogas plants, and power stations. The STELA hybrid heating system combines several energy sources and uses the most economical and environmentally friendly option in each case. This allows energy costs and CO₂ emissions to be significantly reduced – an increasingly important factor in view of rising energy prices.

A blanket statement is not possible without concrete operational data – the decisive factors are the annual harvest volume, the average harvest moisture and its fluctuation range, energy costs, and the conditions of the agricultural trade for wet goods. In-house drying is particularly worthwhile if larger quantities with higher or fluctuating moisture levels occur regularly, thus saving on drying fees and price deductions from the trade. For smaller or very consistent quantities, contract drying or storage ventilation can also be economical. STELA provides a site-specific assessment as part of the consultation.