Grain Systems PNEG-526 - Manual (Page 32)

MAINTENANCE Tower Dryer Operations & Service
2
SEASONAL INSPECTION AND
SERVICE
1. Important! The covers to the metering system access door(s)
must be in place at all times when the dryer is in operation.
Before turning blowers always make sure this door is clamped
into position.
2. Follow lubrication guides as outlined in the Lubrication
Table.
3. Do not let grain fines and dust accumulate inside the
cooling section of the dryer. Bi-weekly if drying most prod-
ucts or daily if drying milo, clean the cooling chamber floor of
fines and dust. Sweep down the cooling section sheets if
necessary. Fines can be swept into the unload systems on
both the Zimmerman and GSI dryers.
4. Do not let grain fines and dust accumulate inside the
heat section of the dryer. Daily check the hopper divider
that separates the heat section from the cooling section to
insure that it remains clean and open.
5. When cleaning dryer, check the grain discharge area on the
dryer. On GSI hopper bottom dryers check around the meter-
ing drum to insure that grain is flowing freely from each col-
umn and that there is no trash build-up. On Zimmerman
Accutrol sweep dryers check the sweeps for trash or stalk
buildups that could be obstructing grain flow.
6. If undried grain is left in the dryer for more than a week during
the drying season, inspect the plenum roof to make sure that
there is no wet grain sticking to the roof that could restrict
grain flow. When the dryer is restarted make sure that all grain
columns are evenly unloading.
7. When drying dirty corn in high humidity conditions, sludge
may build up in the upper outside sheets of the dryer. This
build up can be removed by either washing the sheets down
with a high pressure water hose, or by shutting incoming grain,
dropping the grain level to below the plugged area, and then
running the fans and burner to dry the affected area. Tapping
or sweeping the sheets will dislodge debris. Attempting to
sweep off the sheet build-up while it is still wet will usually
plug the sheet more.
IN CASE OF FIRE
1. When you first detect a fire, the entire drying operation should
be shut down, including grain flow into and out of the dryer.
The emergency controls may have already done this. Also,
shut off the electrical and fuel supply to the dryer.
2. Do not try to cool a fire by running fan(s).
3. Never run grain from the dryer into the elevator or storage if a
fire is known or suspected.
4. Locate the area of the fire.
5. If the fire can be extinguished with a fire extinguisher, water
hose or by removing the burning material, this should be done
right away. Watch the dryer closely for another fire after one
has occurred.
6. Emergency discharge slide gates at the bottom of each column
as well as easy access gates located near the hopper discharge
area permit fast dumping of each individual grain column. If it
is necessary to emergency dump grain from the dryer, wait
until the fire department is onsite before doing so.
7. A fire extinguisher should be located at or near the dryer, if a
fire seems to be getting out of control call the fire department.
END OF SEASON SERVICE
1. Empty the dryer at the end of the drying season. The dryer
should not be used for grain storage. Grain left in there for an
extended period of time can become wet, swell and spoil.
Chunks of spoiled grain can plug the metering system and
swelled grain places undue stress on the interior and exterior
sheeting of the dryer.
2. Clean out the plenum roof grain cushion and remove any grain
that may be hanging up on the plenum roof.
3. Make sure the grain exchangers are clean.
4. Clean out the hopper that divides the heat section from the
cooling section.
5. Clean the cooling chamber floor.
6. Remove all grain and trash from the metering drum floor. This
grain can be raked out by hand by opening the slide gates
located in the hopper bottom of the dryer.
7. Make sure gas supply is shut off to the dryer.
8. Open the gas train drain valve located on the bottom of the gas
train.
9. It is a good practice to cover the burner with a tarpaulin or
plastic to insure a clean burner.
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