DETERMINATION OF THE THERMOPHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF CORN COB

This study examines the thermophysical properties of corn grain and corn cobs at various moisture content levels. The aim of the research was to determine the specific heat capacity, thermal conductivity, and thermal diffusivity for the analysis of thermal treatment and drying processes of corn. In addition, thermophysical characteristics, including the density of corn grain and cobs, were determined, and the dependence of these parameters on moisture content was established. The obtained relationships allow for a more accurate description of heat and moisture transfer processes during the drying and storage of corn. To determine the thermophysical properties of corn cobs, the ITP MG4-100 device was used, which provides measurement of the main thermophysical parameters with the required accuracy. A spherical bicalorimeter was also employed to determine the thermophysical properties of corn grain and to calculate the main thermal characteristics of the material. Measurement of temperature parameters on the surface of corn cobs was carried out using a Fluke infrared thermometer, which enabled temperature monitoring during the experiment. Drying of the samples was performed in the «ShS-40 SPU» drying unit within specified temperature and humidity ranges. During the study, the thermophysical properties of corn grain and cobs at different moisture contents were determined. Moisture transfer processes were also investigated; as a result of drying, the moisture content of the product decreased from 72% to 60%. Analysis of the experimental data and the obtained relationships contributes to the development of thermal treatment and drying methods aimed at improving the efficiency of corn drying.

1. Szymanek, M. Influence of sweet corn harvest date on kernels quality / M. Szymanek // Research in Agricultural Engineering. – 2009. – № 55(1). – R. 10-17. https://doi.org/10.17221/13/2008-RAE. (In English).

2. Initial Moisture Content of Corncobs Plays an Important Role in Maintaining its Quality during Storage / L. Mukkun et al // agriTECH. – 2018. – Vol. 38, № 2. https://doi.org/10.22146/agritech.26663. (In English).

3. Kuz`min, I.I. Nauchnoe obosnovanie povy`sheniya urovnya gibridnosti semyan kukuruzy` i texnologii posleuborochnoj ix pererabotki na zavodax: avtoref. diss. kand.texn.nauk. – M. – 1999. – 24 s. (In Russian).

4. Permyakov V.N. Obosnovanie rezhimov sushki pochatkov kukuruzy` v tolstom sloe / V.N. Permyakov, F.R. Safin // Izvestiya orenburgskogo gosudarstvennogo agrarnogo universiteta. – 2021. – № 6(92). – S 150-153. https://doi.org/10.37670/2073-0853-2021-92-6-150-153. (In Russian).

5. Bakiev I.T. Intensifikaciya processa sushki pochatkov kukuruzy`: avtoref. diss. kand.texn.nauk. – Sankt-Peterburg – Pavlovsk – 2005. (In Russian).

6. Bakiev I.T. Vy`bor rezhima sushki pochatkov kukuruzy` / I.T. Bakiev, I.X. Masalimov, V.N. Permyakov // Materialy` XLII nauchno-texnicheskoj konferencii Chelyabinskogo gosudarstvennogo agroinzhenernogo universiteta.- Chelyabinsk, ChGAU, 2003, – Ch.2. – S. 36-38. (In Russian).

7. Kirpa M.Ya. Kukuruza: sbor, sushka, kachestvo: Monografy`ya / M.Ya. Kirpa, G.N. Stankevich, M.O. Styurko. – Odessa: KP OMD, 2015. – 150 s. (In Russian).

8. Yakovenko V.A. Sushka i xranenie kukuruzy`: Monografiya. / V.A. Yakovenko, D.V. Gol`berg. – Odessa: Odesskoe knizhnoe izd-vo, 1960. – 29 s. (In Russian).

9. Aleksandr S.P. Teoreticheskoe issledovanie teplovy`x processov pri e`kstrudirovanii zerna kukuruzy` / S.P. Aleksandr, K. R. Georgij, N.B. Sergej // Vestnik RGATU. – 2024. – t. 16, № 1. – S.195-200. (In Russian).

10. Contribution to thermal and acoustic characterization of corn cob / M. Bovo et al // Issledovanie termicheskix svojstv pochatkov kukuruzy`. – 2022. – Tom 262. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2022.111994. (In English).

11. GOST 7076. Metody` opredeleniya teploprovodnosti i termicheskogo soprotivleniya pri stacionarnom teplovom rezhime. 1999. (In Russian).

12. SKB «Strojpribor». Izmeriteli teploprovodnosti ITP MG4 «100», ITP MG4 «250», ITP MG4 «300». Texnicheskoe opisanie pribora, princip raboty`, specifikacii. stroypribor.com. (In Russian).

13. Ginzburg, A.S. Teplofizicheskie xarakteristiki pishhevy`x produktov: A.S. Ginzburg, M.A. Gromov, G.I. Krasovskaya // Pishhevaya promy`shlennost`. – Moskva, 1990. – 288 s. (In Russian).