Grain Facilities Planning and Design II (GEAPS 511)
Nov. 8 - Dec. 10, 2010
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.
GEAPS 511: 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
About the Course
Lectures are sent to students on CDs for playback on their personal computers. Student quizzes, assignments, reading materials and discussion groups are available via the GEAPS 511 WebCT course site.
This non-credit professional development course is taught as an intensive five-week module utilizing distance learning technologies that require the following commitments from students:
- A realization that the course material is taught during two lectures each week, each about an hour long. For every lecture hour you will need to spend one or two additional hours studying the materials and working through the on-line quizzes. Thus, this course will require approximately four-to-six hours of your time every week for five weeks.
- You can work through each lecture at your own convenience and complete it by taking the self-grading on-line quiz at any time, day or night. There is certainly flexibility from week to week within each module but our overall goal is to get students to complete the course within the scheduled five-week period. You will need self- discipline to set aside your own time to work through the lectures, and then to go on-line to complete the associated quizzes. If you underestimate this requirement you will quickly fall behind and not complete the course module within the five-week period!
- The course requires a Windows- based computer of newer vintage. This means at least a Pentium III processor running Windows98 (or higher), a CD-ROM drive to play the lecture CDs, and a modem to access the course site on the internet.