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Drying Characteristics of High Density Hay Bales

Published by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, St. Joseph, Michigan www.asabe.org

Citation:  Paper number  021066,  2002 ASAE Annual Meeting . (doi: 10.13031/2013.9311) @2002
Authors:   Sébastien Descôteaux, Yannick Tremblay, Philippe Savoie
Keywords:   Alfalfa, timothy, hay, bale, drying, density

Two experiments were conducted to observe the drying process of high-density large rectangular hay bales. In the first study, sections measuring 0.41 m x 0.41 m x 0.89 m were cut from large big bales and tightly fit into drying columns equipped with thermocouples and pressure transducers. Experiments carried out at various levels of bale density, air flow, air temperature and baling moisture content showed the displacement of the drying front with time. In the second study, hay layers (0.34 m x 0.34 m x 0.050 m) were placed in ten superimposed trays and weighed regularly to observe the moisture loss versus time until equilibrium was reached. Results indicated conditions that could lead to over-drying and reduced energy efficiency. The results are expected to be useful in the design of an efficient drying system for large rectangular hay bales.

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