How much is an EconoDri/VAL6 Combo capable of drying?
In Ag trade shows, we always watch for opportunities to provide demonstrations that let the interested public actually participate in the demonstrations where we simulate airflow through an EconoDri/VAL6 combo. We always start our demonstrations as early as possible so if there is a high humidity, dewy type of morning, or even rainy / drizzly conditions, this gives a starting point to understanding the EconoDri/VAL6 de-hydrate process and how to project applications. This demonstration uses an approximately +/- 2000 cfm fan to simulate a bin fan pulling air through an EconoDri/VAL6 combo. Unfortunately, a farm show tends to limit facilities, and our earlier demonstrations were of a single EconoDri/VAL6 combo, and our digital “reader” for demonstrating humidity drop and temp rise. This made it difficult to display capacity expand-ability, and our new display model is a trailer-mounted double EconoDri/VAL6 combo, and illustrates versatility in adapting to varieties of bin fan cfms, and/or varying grain moisture. While our display is for demo purposes only, our simulated conditions would reduce air humidity 25%-50% and raise air temp 25 to 65° F with this airflow cfm and depending on the VAL6 model used in the demo. NOTE: We are frequently asked about operation when it is actually raining or snowing, and we feel, as in any grain drying type, the farmers judgment is necessary as to whether to shield or shelter the EconoDri/VAL6 combo to minimize or eliminate pulling in actual rain or snow to keep running, or if it makes more sense to consider shutting down until conditions let up. As with any other grain drying styles, judgment is also needed as to how much grain to dry at a batch, and across the board, probably the most vital part of the decision is at what point the airflow is becoming restricted by the accumulated moisture-related grain weight. Grain weight is proportionately heavier with higher grain moisture, and regardless of the drying style, NO grain can dry if air cannot make it through the grain, though as airflow slows, dry air to grain moisture ratios can be argued to improve, but it is still a fact of life that air flow needs to be maximized for ANY system to function.