Estimated Fuel Usage for Drying Corn
Paul E. Sumner, Extension Engineer
These graphs represent information generated from a corn drying model using a peanut dryer
and wagon. Final moisture content was 15%. The airflow rate was assumed to 30 cfm/bushel.
Depth of grain is 2.5-3 feet in the wagon. Peanut wagons should be loaded only to the grain line
with corn.
Figure 1 represents gallons of LP fuel used to dry 100 bushels of corn with air temperature of
120, 140 and 160ºF. Figure 2 is total drying cost per bushel with the same temperatures. Figure
3 is estimated drying time for the various temperatures.
Drying Corn In Peanut Wagons
85°F, 85% RH
25
20
15
10
120°F
140°F
160°F
5
0
16
18
20
22
24
26
Figure 1. Estimated LP fuel use for drying
corn in peanut wagons.
Drying Cost ($/Bushel)
Drying Corn In Peanut Wagons 85°F,
85% RH
$1.40/Gallon LP
0.35
0.3
0.25
0.2
120°F
140°F
160°F
0.1
0.05
0
16
18
20
22
24
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
120°F
140°F
160°F
16
18
20
22
24
26
Initial Moisture Content (%)
Initial Moisture Content (%)
0.15
Dryin Time (hrs)
LP Used/100 Bushels
(Gallons)
Drying Corn In Peanut Wagons
85°F, 85% RH
26
Initial Moisture Content (%)
Figure 2. Estimated cost of drying corn in a
peanut wagon.
Figure 3. Estimate total drying time for corn
in a peanut wagon.