BS 3986-1 is a standard that serves technical specifications for evaluating the drying performance of agricultural grain dryers, enabling the prevention of deterioration and spoilage of wheat.
BS 3986-1 describes general procedures for evaluating the drying performance of continuous-flow and batch grain dryers and specific procedures for rewetted wheat over a moisture content range of 20 % to 15 % wet basis.
In BS 3986-1, methods specified are for determining the evaporation rate that the machines concerned are able to achieve when drying wheat under the steady-state conditions prevailing during the tests.
BS 3986-1 describes methods for correcting observed performance to other input and standard ambient conditions.
Note 1: BS 3986-2 specifies additional procedures and requirements for testing and evaluating dryer performance for other crops, including barley, oats, maize, rice, sorghum and rape, and for wheat over a wider range of conditions than those specified in Part 1.
Note 2: The titles of the publications referred to in this standard are listed on the inside back cover.
BS 3986-1 on the drying performance of agricultural grain dryers applies to:
Grain dryers are machines used to dry agricultural goods such as wheat to remove moisture content and safe storage. Grain drying with a dryer allows for increased flexibility and productivity. Many tonnes of product can be dried in a few hours, whereas the conventional method would take several days.
BS 3986-1 provides users guidance on a test method for evaluating the drying performance of continuous-flow and batch grain dryers for rewetted wheat. BS 3986-1 also provides users with a step-by-step procedure for the method, enabling users to do the method correctly.
BS 3986-1 provides users guidance on principle, symbols, units, test equipment, test preparation, procedure, calculation of results, correction to standard conditions, airflow calculations, quality criteria and test report, enabling the evaluation of drying performance of agricultural grain dryers.
With obedience and compliance to BS 3986-1, users can develop and assess agricultural grain dryers, enabling optimised ambient conditions for safe storage and reducing spoilage risk for wheat in agricultural applications.