Seed dryer and method
A system and method for at least partially drying seeds treated with a liquid. A supply of heated air is continuously fed to a drying chamber. Treated seeds enter one opening of the drying chamber and are forced around at least a portion of the internal perimeter of the drying chamber before exiting out a second opening. Another embodiment can treat the seeds during and/or after the seeds entering the drying chamber.
1. A drying chamber for seeds, comprising:
a first chamber;
a second chamber;
the first chamber having a first opening wherein the seeds can enter the drying chamber;
the drying chamber having a discharge outlet wherein the seeds can exit the drying chamber;
an air intake directing air flow into the drying chamber wherein the seeds are moved within the drying chamber by the air flow;
the first chamber above the second chamber;
the first chamber in communication with the second chamber via a second opening;
the drying chamber has a vented chamber screen wherein air can exit the drying chamber;
the first chamber has an inner wall;
the first chamber has a bottom wall;
a gap formed between the inner wall and the bottom wall configured to allow accumulating seeds to fall from the first chamber to the second chamber;
a slot in the bottom wall configured to allow accumulating seeds to fall from the first chamber to the second chamber.
2. The drying chamber of claim 1 , further comprising:
a plurality of deflector bars;
the plurality of deflector bars extending horizontally from an angled seed deflector.
3. The drying chamber of claim 2 , further comprising:
a vent connected on the first chamber wherein a portion of the air flow escapes the drying chamber;
the vent extending upward from the first chamber.
4. The drying chamber of claim 2 , wherein:
the first chamber has circular walls directing the air flow in a circular pattern.
5. The drying chamber of claim 4 , wherein:
the second chamber has circular walls directing the air flow in a circular pattern.
6. A method of drying seed, comprising the steps of:
forcing heated air horizontally into a drying chamber;
directing seeds vertically into a first chamber of the drying chamber;
directing the seeds via the heated air into a second chamber;
providing a slot in a bottom of the first chamber configured to allow excess seeds to fall from the first chamber to the second chamber;
removing the seeds from the drying chamber;
using the heated air to direct the seeds around an interior perimeter of the drying chamber.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein:
the drying chamber comprises at least two subchambers.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein:
the first chamber is connected to the second chamber via an opening;
a series of deflectors direct the seeds from the first chamber to the second chamber.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein:
the first chamber and the second chamber have circular walls directing the heated air and the seeds in a circular pattern.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein:
the first chamber has a plurality of deflector bars to assist in separating the seeds.
11. A system for drying seeds, comprising:
a drying chamber;
a heater;
a blower;
wherein the heater raises the temperature of air from the blower which is then directed into the drying chamber;
the drying chamber comprises a first chamber and a second chamber in communication with one another;
the second chamber beneath the first chamber wherein the seeds enter the first chamber and then are directed toward the second chamber;
the first chamber and the second chamber generally circular wherein the seeds and the air are directed near a periphery of the first chamber and the second chamber;
a first opening between the first chamber and second chamber;
the first chamber has an inner wall;
the first chamber has a bottom wall;
a gap formed between the inner wall and the bottom wall configured to allow accumulating seeds to fall from the first chamber to the second chamber;
a slot in the bottom wall configured to allow accumulating seeds to fall from the first chamber to the second chamber.
12. The system of claim 11 , further comprising:
a first conveyor bringing the seeds to the drying chamber.
13. The system of claim 12 , wherein:
the drying chamber comprises a hopper;
wherein the seeds leave the first conveyor and enter the hopper.
14. The system of claim 13 , wherein:
the drying chamber comprises a chamber vent screen wherein a majority of the air exits the drying chamber.
15. The system of claim 14 , wherein:
the drying chamber comprises a vent wherein excess air can exit the drying chamber.