Grain Journal - March/April 2008 - (Page 161)

Storing and Handling DDGS ONE OF THE MORE CHALLENGING MATERIALS A FEED MILL OR ETHANOL PLANT CAN HANDLE This article is based on a presentation by Mike Schuster, vice president-sales for Laidig Systems Inc., Mishawaka, IN (574-256-0204). He spoke in February at GEAPS Exchange 2008 in Omaha, NE. Two types of distillers grains typically become part of feed rations. Distillers wet grains (DWGs) have the advantage of being cheaper to produce than distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), since there are no drying costs. Also, cattle prefer DWGs to DDGS. The downsides to DWGs are a very short shelf life and the corrosiveness of the material—DWGs will wear out the bucket on a front-end loader very quickly, unless a very expensive stainless steel bucket is used. Despite the drying costs in producing DDGS, this material offers the advantages of being easier to transport, a longer shelf life, and its ability to be pelleted or incorporated into a pelleted feed. Handling Considerations One of the main factors in deciding how to handle DDGS is whether or not you believe this material needs time to “cure” in an open pile—usually for 24 to 48 hours before being used. There is much disagreement in the ethanol and feed industries on this point. Proponents of curing argue that this time is needed to dissipate heat and certain chemical reactions associated with drying, making DDGS easier to transport, store, and handle. Others argue that it isn’t necessary. If the facility manager decides curing is necessary, that affects the plant layout, since space must be made for curing piles. Other factors affecting handling decisions at the ethanol plant include production capacity and whether the and higher loadout rates. This is most feasible at existing plants that already have flat storage facilities and are undergoing an expansion. At the Feed Mill Despite its reputation for difficult handling characteristics, DDGS can be stored and handled successfully at the feed mill in a manner similar to soybean meal. However, DDGS has a higher cohesive strength than soybean meal, which is its ability to stick together and gain strength over time. Another challenge is handling higher volumes of DDGS, as feed mills grow larger and start handling multiple railcar loads. At a minimum, more storage must be devoted to DDGS, and it may require a storage expansion. Flow characteristics can be an additional challenge. Over time, the moisture content of DDGS can increase through leaks in the storage vessel, humidity, or material temperature. Also, compaction can occur over time, and the material can become denser and more cohesive. These conditions can lead to restrictive flow within the silo. The material can become stagnant in the “corner” of the silo, where the cone bottom meets the straight sidewall. Over time, it flows less freely. In the worst case scenario, ratholing can occur, where the stagnant material forms a solid ring around the silo, effectively reducing its diameter, and eventually, the material can bridge, plugging the silo. Two approaches can reduce or eliminated this problem: • Design the mill storage system so that DDGS recirculate or move frequently, so the feedstuff doesn’t have time to densify. • Invest in an aggressive reclaim system that can overcome the material’s tendency to densify. Ed Zdrojewski, editor M/A GJ 161 A flat storage pad allows DDGS the time to cure after drying, which some say improves its handling characteristics, but also is a more labor-intensive method of storing the material. product will be shipped by truck or rail. Ethanol plants can select from three storage and handling options for DDGS: 1. Flat storage. This is simply a very large building. The advantages are a lower cost of construction than other options and space to address the curing issue. The downsides include highly labor-intensive operation, with bobcats or front-end loaders, and often, a low handling volume. 2. Automated vertical storage. Here, DDGS are stored in a specially designed tank and unloaded with a heavy-duty reclaim auger. Among the advantages are potentially high loadout rates, reduced labor costs, potentially safer operation, space savings, and elimination of potential contamination problems associated with open flat storage. However, this type of storage and handling system has higher upfront capital costs. Also, it doesn’t provide a way to cure DDGS, for those who support that concept. 3. Combination storage. This concept combines a flat storage pad with one or more automated vertical storage tanks, allowing for both curing

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Grain Journal - March/April 2008

Grain Journal - March/April 2008 March/April 2008 Grain Journal Table of Contents 2008 Merchandising Outlook NGFA Opposes CFTC Risk Management Exemption Northern Star II Fiction Series Part 20 Corn/Soybean Merchandising … John Beurskens Wheat Merchandising …Kyle Smith Issues at the CME Exchange Futures Markets United Cooperative, Rock Springs and Beaver Dam, WI Facility Feature Auburn Bean & Grain, Auburn, MI Facility Feature New Cooperative Inc., LuVerne, IA Facility Feature Pearl City Elevator Inc., Lena, IL Facility Feature Safety Facility Feature: Tate & Lyle, Le Roy, IL Luckey Farmers Inc., Sugar Ridge, IL Facility Feature Old Time Elevator: Franklin Elevator Inc., Franklin, IL Portable Ladder Safety … Adam Schupp OSHA’s Top 10 Violations … Lynn Larsen Warm Weather Sampling Program … Linda Mason Manager Profile … Michael Sulzberger Manager Profile … Chris Blair Grain Salvage Computer Software Case Study … Summit Software Inc Grain Notes Grain Notes Reducing Dust Collection System Energy Costs Temporary Storage System Case Study Grain Quality/Technology Congress Drive Belt Maintenance Iowa Air Permits Steel Storage Tanks Inspection Ideas New TWIC Port Security Program GEAPS Exchange 2008 GEAPS Annual Meeting GEAPS Safety Awards GEAPS Associate Directors GEAPS Leadership Conference GEAPS/NGFA OM&T Seminar Henry Kaufman Foreign Language Memorial Scholarship Harold Reece Grain Handling Operations Memorial Scholarship Harold Reese Scholarship GEAPS 2008-09 International Officers GEAPS 2008-09 Associates Board of Directors GEAPS Exchange Sponsors GEAPS Exchange 2009 Call for Presentations Planning For Your Next Construction Project OSHA Local Emphasis Program For Missouri Temporary Storage Systems Security: Protecting Grain Inventories … Curtis Haugen West Central Cooperative CEO Jeff Stroberg Interview Product Review: Conveyor-Mounted Hopper Gate Opener Product Review: Wear Protection Materials Product Review: Housed Bearing Unit Product Review: Temporary Storage Grain Piler Product Review: Magnetic Separators Product Review: Indent Length Separators Product Review: Baghouse Filters Product Review: Draeger Multi-Gas Monitor Product Review: Grain Cleaner Product Review: Locomotive Remote Control Product Review: Baghouse Controller Product Review: Steel and Fabric Storage Buildings Product Review: Flaking Rolls Monitoring Equipment Aeration NGFA Trade Rules Seminar Global GM Crop Acres Three New Biofuels Ideas Dust Collection Actuators Automation Integration Systems Concrete Tank Builders Cleaners 2008 Bin Rescue Workshops Obituary … Ralph Klopfenstein GIPSA News USDA 10-Year Crop Projections Grain News Belting Protectants Fumigants Scales Elevator Manager Short Course Crib Storage History … Part III Regulatory News Temporary Storage 2008 Prospective Planting Report Product Survey … Monitoring Equipment Product Survey … Dust Collection Systems Product Survey … Fall Protection Product Survey … Bin Sweeps Ethanol Events Product Survey … Fumigants Storing and Handling DDGS Bluebonnet Feeds, Ardmore, OK Facility Feature Exporting DDGS 2008 International Feed Expo Feed News KSU Feed Courses NGFA/NAEGA 2008 Priorities Ad Index

Grain Journal - March/April 2008

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