Click on “Download PDF” for the PDF version or on the title for the HTML version.

If you are not an ASABE member or if your employer has not arranged for access to the full-text, Click here for options.

X-ray computed tomography (CT) is a technique that uses X-ray images to reconstruct the internal microstructure of objects. A high resolution X-ray CT system with a resolution of 200 m was used to scan airpaths inside grain bulks. Bulk grains of wheat and peas were scanned along horizontal and vertical directions. The X-ray CT images were analyzed to explain the airflow resistance difference along the horizontal and vertical directions of grain bulks. Total airspace, airpath distribution and size of airpaths were determined from the images. Morphological information of the airpaths from the tomographic images showed that the size and number of airpaths vary between horizontal and vertical directions of grain bulks. The number and size of airpaths were almost double along the horizontal direction than in the vertical direction for wheat. However for peas which are spherical, the airpath distribution and their sizes were similar along both the directions.