Development And Evaluation Of A Prototype Household Wooden Silo

Abstract

A prototype household wooden silo with 8 kg capacity for storing shelled maize was designed, constructed and evaluated for performance. The structure was rectangular in shape, of total height of 0.6 m and width of 0.3 m, with a conical top inclined at an angle of 30 º with 0.1 m height and 0.3 m width. The silo had a top inlet for loading and side outlet for unloading the grains. Air-dried maize at moisture content of 13.2 % (dry basis) was stored in the silo for a period of two months. During storage, there was 9.5 % significant change in the moisture content of the maize, without mould growth or microbial infestation.

Journal of Applied Science and Technology Vol. 12 (1&2) 2007: pp. 114-117