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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Dawson, Georgia » National Peanut Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #69394

Title: STORING PEANUTS IN MODULAR CONTAINERS

Author
item Wright, Farrin
item Butts, Christopher - Chris
item LAMB, MARSHALL - AUBURN UNIVERSITY
item CUNDIFF, JOHN - VIRGINIA TECH

Submitted to: American Peanut Research and Education Society Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/15/1996
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The peanut harvesting rate increased significantly with the introduction of 4-row and 6 row combines. An 8-row self-propelled combine to be marketed in 1996 will add to the handling problems already being experienced at the buying/drying points. With the modular concept, the peanuts are placed in the module at the field location, cured and dried, stored, and delivered to othe shelling/processing point in the same container. The modular container will hold approximately 9 Mg (size approximately 1.8 m deep x 2.3 m wide x 7.3 m long) so two units will make a semi-trailer load. In 1995, three 4.3 standard wagons and three 4.3 m modules were used to assess handling damage and concerns involved with moving the modular units. Temperature and relative humidity within the units were monitored for 140 days from the field to unloading at the buying point. Peanut moisture content was measured at intervals during storage. The maximum and minimum temperatures in the middle of the modular units lagged the ambient temperature 6.4 and 4.3 hrs, respectively. Whereas, the relative humidity did not flucuate with the daily ambient fluctuations. The peanut moisture content decreased from about 11% at the end of curing to the equilibrum moisture content of 6 to 7 % at the end of storage. Transferring the peanut through an elevator was insufficient to simulate handling damage in a warehouse system. An economic analysis indicates the modular concept is a feasible handling system compared to the current handling and warehousing system. The expected results of the modular concept are:moving and transporting the peanuts with with less liability, reducing the damage caused by warehouse handling systems, and maintaining varietal, grower and quality information for the manufacturer to provide a higher value product to the consumer.