ASABE Technical Library - Abstract

Abstract. Edibile grade farmers stock peanuts and shelled oil stock peanuts were stored in hermetically sealed grain bags. The objectives of the study were to evaluate equipment for loading and unloading the grain bags, the capacity of the grain bags, and the changes in quality. In May 2015, approximately 90 t of farmers stock peanuts from the 2014 crop were unloaded from a commercial warehouse, transported to Dawson, GA and loaded into two 2.7 m diameter grain bags. Similarly, 85 t of shelled oil stock peanuts were loaded into two 2.7 m diameter grain bags. Peanuts were unloaded from the hopper truck into a grain cart, then into a gravity flow bag loader. After a 30-d storage trial, one farmers stock storage bag was unloaded on 10 Jun 2015. After 60 d in storage, the remaining farmers stock and both oil stock bags were unloaded on 07 Jul 2015. Temperature and relative humidity sensors were installed in each bag and monitored throughout the storage period. Oxygen levels were measured periodically using a handheld oxygen analyzer. Oxygen content in the farmers stock peanuts decreased from ambient levels (21%) to an average of 8.6% after 15 d storage. After 20 d storage, the oxygen content in the oil stock had decreased to 14%. A vacuum extractor was used successfully to unload one farmer stock bag. A skid steer loader was used to unload the second farmer stock bag. An attempt was made to unload the oil stock bags using a conventional bag extractor, but the poor flow characteristics of the oil stock peanuts caused the bag to tear and a skid steer loader was used to complete the process. Moisture migration and subsequent condensation caused a layer of high moisture peanuts in the top of both of the farmer stock bags resulting in the peanuts being unsuitable for human consumption and reducing the value from $342/t to approximately $125/t for oil stock, a 63% reduction in value. No moisture problems were observed in the oil stock bags when they were unloaded. Based on these studies, sealed grain bags would be unsuitable for storing farmer stock peanuts. Sealed grain bags could possibly be used to store oil stock peanuts for 60 d, but suitable unloading equipment would have to be found or developed.