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Effect of thin layer drying rate and swath architecture on the rate of grass swath drying under controlled conditions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

W. J. Lamond
Affiliation:
Scottish Centre of Agricultural Engineering, Bush Estate, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 0PH, UK
H. B. Spencer
Affiliation:
Scottish Centre of Agricultural Engineering, Bush Estate, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 0PH, UK
R. Graham
Affiliation:
Scottish Centre of Agricultural Engineering, Bush Estate, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 0PH, UK
A. B. Moore
Affiliation:
Scottish Centre of Agricultural Engineering, Bush Estate, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 0PH, UK

Summary

A total of 51 grass swaths was dried in a wind tunnel under controlled conditions of temperature and humidity. The swath treatments covered a range of conditioning treatments, crop types, maturities and porosities. Drying rates of the swaths were related to crop and swath properties to establish which variables were important in influencing the overall drying rates of the swaths. Multiple regression analysis was used to assess the statistical dependence of drying rate on variables reflecting crop and swath properties: the dependence on swath structure was approximately four times greater than the dependence on crop conditioning. Improved swath drying rates could be achieved by lesssophisticated machinery than the current mower conditioners.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1989

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