GEAPS 511: Grain Facilities Planning and Design II

Current course offering: Nov. 8-Dec. 10, 2010
Registration deadline: Nov. 3, 2010

Registration for this course is now closed.

Course goals, process, expectations and requirements

The goal of GEAPS 511, a companion to GEAPS 510, is to teach students the basic principles of planning, layout, and design of commercial grain-handling facilities. It will utilize materials developed for GEAPS’ Facility Design Conference in 2002, as well as some new lectures. There is no prerequisite. Students taking GEAPS 511 do not have to have completed GEAPS 510.

The Course of Study

Week 1

Lesson 1 – Grain Dryers and Drying Systems

This lecture focuses on the major objectives of grain drying and the problems that are typically associated with drying.

• Objective of grain drying
• Different drying systems and their characteristics
• Sizing dryers and determining capacity
• Dilemmas that can occur during drying
• Future dryer developmental issues

Faculty – Dr. Dirk Maier, Professor, Purdue University

Lesson 2 – Grain Storage Systems

The objective of this lecture is to outline the main functions of a storage system and familiarize students with the different options available.

• Functions of a storage system
• Different types of storage structures and their characteristics
• Maintenance issues
• Filling and unloading options
• Capital costs for different structures

Faculty – Steve Schmitt, TE Ibberson Co.

Week 2

Lesson 3 – Aeration and Grain Quality Management Systems

This lecture informs students about the importance of adequate aeration and the importance of properly designing an aeration system to preserve grain quality.

• Why is aeration important
• What is considered to be adequate aeration
• Components of an aeration system
• Factors that affect airflow
• Positive versus negative aeration systems
• Fan characteristics and performance
• Closed-loop fumigation

Faculty – Ron Noyes, Oklahoma State University

Lesson 4 – Truck and Railcar Shipping Systems

The objective of this lecture is to outline the main functions of truck and railcar shipping system and familiarize students with the different options available.

• What are the current trends influencing truck and rail car shipping?
• How are these trends changing the design of facilities?
• What changes are being made to facilities to deal with environmental concerns?
• What safety systems need to be in-place to operate a truck or rail car loading system?
• What Automation is right for your facility?
• How much will it cost to build?

Faculty – Dave Olheiser, Van Sickle, Allen & Associates

Week 3

Lesson 5 – Barge and Vessel Shipping Systems

The objective of this lecture is to outline the main functions of barge and vessel shipping system and familiarize students with the different options available.

• Why is it important to follow established loading sequences for barges and ships?
• How do U.S. grain exporters compete on the world scene with countries that benefit from subsidies and state-controlled organizations?
• What are some of the risks involved with the export of grain?
• What are the methods or philosophies employed to reduce or minimize fugitive dust emissions?
• What is the purpose for shipping bins in an export elevator?  

Faculty – Karl Holloway, River Consulting

Lesson 6 – Coatings and Finishes

Familiarize students with basics of coatings and finished used in grain facilities.

• Paint Assessment Maintenance Survey
• Coating economics
• Dealing with specifications in a coating contract
• Types of coatings
• Future of coatings in the grain industry

Faculty – Joe Davis, Tnemec Paint Co.

Week 4

Lesson 7 – Roofing

• Differences in roofing systems
• Design considerations when designing a roofing system
• Major technological advances in the recent past

Faculty – Gregory Thirnbeck, D.C. Taylor Co.

Lesson 8 – Waterproofing and Rain Distribution Systems

Familiarize students with the basics of waterproofing grain facility structures.

• Causes of concrete deterioration and breakdown of waterproof surfaces
• Concrete mix basics
• Corrosions impacts on structures
• Concrete repair
• Keys to making a good bonding surfaces

Faculty – Dennis Ahrenhuersterbaeumer, The Western Group

Week 5

Lesson 9 – Automation and Control Systems

This lecture covers benefits of automated systems and how to implement such a system.

• Factors driving automation
• Levels of automation and the characteristics of each
• Economics of automation

Faculty – Jim Gavrish, Compuweigh Corp.

Lesson 10 – Improving Grain Operations Planning using Elevator-SIM

This lecture covers the potential use of computer simulation tools for the planning and evaluation of grain operations such as receiving capacity.

• Concept of modeling a grain handling operation
• Data needed to build a simulation model for a specific facility
• Examples of facility models that have been built with Elevator-SIM
• Application of Elevator-SIM models to evaluate receiving capacity improvements
• Application of Elevator-SIM models to evaluate commingling and contamination effects

Faculty – Dr. Dirk Maier, Purdue University; Justin McGill, The Andersons; Nathan Fleck, Monsanto

A certificate of completion from GEAPS and Kansas State will be issued to all students successfully completing the program.