A cross flow aeration system for aerating particulate materials disposed in a storage bin. The aeration system comprises a plurality of elongated hollow aerators. Each aerator is disposed inside the storage bin in proximity to an inside wall thereof having a substantially vertical orientation and has at least an opening for transmitting air from inside the aerator to the particulate materials. At least a blowing mechanism is in fluid communication with the plurality of aerators for providing the air thereto. At least an aerator air flow control mechanism may be disposed in each of the plurality of aerators for controlling flow of the air between a bottom section and a top section thereof. An elongated perforated venting tube is disposed approximately centrally within the storage bin. The venting tube extends generally upwardly to the bin roof for transmitting the air from the particulate materials to the bin roof and venting the same therefrom to a location external the storage bin.

A cross flow aeration system for aerating particulate materials disposed in a storage bin. The aeration system comprises a plurality of elongated hollow aerators. Each aerator is disposed inside the storage bin in proximity to an inside wall thereof having a substantially vertical orientation and has at least an opening for transmitting air from inside the aerator to the particulate materials. At least a blowing mechanism is in fluid communication with the plurality of aerators for providing the air thereto. At least an aerator air flow control mechanism may be disposed in each of the plurality of aerators for controlling flow of the air between a bottom section and a top section thereof. An elongated perforated venting tube is disposed approximately centrally within the storage bin. The venting tube extends generally upwardly to the bin roof for transmitting the air from the particulate materials to the bin roof and venting the same therefrom to a location external the storage bin.

A hopper bottom for supporting a cylindrical side wall of a grain bin thereon comprises an outer wall arranged to be supported on a support surface and an inclined inner wall supported in spaced relation vertically above the outer wall, which has an inverted cone shape. A manifold or ducting is provided between the outer and inner walls for guiding air received from a blower between the outer and inner walls. Ventilation openings are provided across a full radius of the inner wall so that the air from the manifold is released upwardly to ventilate material received vertically above the hopper bottom. The manifold or ducting also is in fluidic communication with a discharge chute formed between openings in the inner and outer walls, through which the material passes on exit from the hopper bottom, to emit the air in an inward and downward direction to assist the gravity discharge.

A hopper bottom for supporting a cylindrical side wall of a grain bin thereon comprises an outer wall arranged to be supported on a support surface and an inclined inner wall supported in spaced relation vertically above the outer wall, which has an inverted cone shape. A manifold or ducting is provided between the outer and inner walls for guiding air received from a blower between the outer and inner walls. Ventilation openings are provided across a full radius of the inner wall so that the air from the manifold is released upwardly to ventilate material received vertically above the hopper bottom. The manifold or ducting also is in fluidic communication with a discharge chute formed between openings in the inner and outer walls, through which the material passes on exit from the hopper bottom, to emit the air in an inward and downward direction to assist the gravity discharge.

A modular, low-profile apparatus for storing dry agricultural products has a horizontal configuration with coaxial aeration tubes and bi-directional distribution and dispensing augers. The apparatus provides access to dry agriculture products for storing, mixing, aerating, loading, unloading and processing.

A modular, low-profile apparatus for storing dry agricultural products has a horizontal configuration with coaxial aeration tubes and bi-directional distribution and dispensing augers. The apparatus provides access to dry agriculture products for storing, mixing, aerating, loading, unloading and processing.

A grain handling system having an air system is presented that is capable of automatically detecting and clearing a plug in a tube of an air system using a central controller, an air pressure sensor, a dynamic pressure relief valve and a variable frequency drive connected to and controlling a blower motor. When a plug is detected, the central controller stops the flow of grain into the tube and ramps up the output of the blower motor to full capacity. Thereafter, the central controller performs an unplugging routine by opening and closing the dynamic pressure relief valve causing surges of air to impact the plug either breaking up the plug or bumping the plug along the tube until it clears. Once the plug clears, the central controller resumes normal operation.

A grain handling system having an air system is presented that is capable of automatically detecting and clearing a plug in a tube of an air system using a central controller, an air pressure sensor, a dynamic pressure relief valve and a variable frequency drive connected to and controlling a blower motor. When a plug is detected, the central controller stops the flow of grain into the tube and ramps up the output of the blower motor to full capacity. Thereafter, the central controller performs an unplugging routine by opening and closing the dynamic pressure relief valve causing surges of air to impact the plug either breaking up the plug or bumping the plug along the tube until it clears. Once the plug clears, the central controller resumes normal operation.

Disclosed are a method and/or system for automatically controlling ventilation of a grain storage bin to maintain the grain parameters within a predefined range. The disclosed system includes a ventilation control system and a plurality of ventilation fans installed to the storage bin. The ventilation control system includes a fan switch control unit, a weather station, and a plurality of grain characteristics monitoring devices. The fan switch control unit includes a first switch and a second switch to constantly operate the plurality of ventilation fans on receiving an alarm signal from the weather station and/or the grain characteristics monitoring devices. The weather station transmits the alarm signal to deactivate plurality of ventilation fans when the captured external parameters deviate from predefined external temperature-humidity range. The grain characteristics monitoring devices transmit the alarm signal to activate plurality of ventilation fans when the captured grain parameters deviate from predefined grain temperature-humidity range.

Disclosed are a method and/or system for automatically controlling ventilation of a grain storage bin to maintain the grain parameters within a predefined range. The disclosed system includes a ventilation control system and a plurality of ventilation fans installed to the storage bin. The ventilation control system includes a fan switch control unit, a weather station, and a plurality of grain characteristics monitoring devices. The fan switch control unit includes a first switch and a second switch to constantly operate the plurality of ventilation fans on receiving an alarm signal from the weather station and/or the grain characteristics monitoring devices. The weather station transmits the alarm signal to deactivate plurality of ventilation fans when the captured external parameters deviate from predefined external temperature-humidity range. The grain characteristics monitoring devices transmit the alarm signal to activate plurality of ventilation fans when the captured grain parameters deviate from predefined grain temperature-humidity range.