Keeping Grains Fresh with New Technology
3 April 2025 · Uncategorized ·
Source: · https://www.cnr.cn/tech/techgsrw/20241016/t20241016_526941444.shtml
Weng Xiaowei (right), along with his colleagues, is checking the temperature of stored grains in a warehouse. Ning Wenwu photo from People's Vision.
Rice fragrance wafts along the Xin'an River as Weng Xiaowei finishes early rice acquisition work and now focuses on late-season grain storage. Standing at the entrance, he directs trucks carrying golden sheaves into warehouses via conveyors.
As a custodian of Zhejiang Province’s Jindong City Central Grain Warehouse, Weng Xiaowei says that after upgrading their smart warehouse project, managing and storing grains has become much easier! When discussing new changes in grain storage, 'smart grain warehouse' is often mentioned by him.
How does the ‘intelligent’ aspect of a smart grain warehouse manifest?
Weng Xiaowei takes advantage of an incoming truckload to give us a live demonstration: “For newly stored grains, we need to check their temperature every three days. Previously, this required manual checks in each storage room and recording them on paper. Now with the intelligent monitoring system for grain conditions, all 340 data points from one warehouse can be automatically recorded within an electronic logbook in just a minute; any abnormal temperatures will trigger alarms.”
High temperatures have always been a significant challenge during rice collection and storage. Weng Xiaowei says: “In the past, we were quite wary of storing early-season rice because it was hot when harvesting began, making grains prone to yellowing or pest infestations which are unfavorable for long-term preservation. Now with our smart warehouse’s intelligent ventilation system, grain temperatures can be automatically reduced and moisture controlled.”
Weng Xiaowei and colleague Chen Jun head towards Long-Term Storage Warehouse No. 4 where they see over ten conveyor belts lined up under a canopy in preparation to clean incoming grains before storage.
Chen Jun explains: “With this cleaning center, our job as custodians is much easier; it saves us effort, worry, and trouble while reducing transportation costs for farmers by approximately RMB 400 thousand annually.”
Previously, weighing was done after the grain entered the warehouse followed by removal of impurities which led to dust loss. Now with a new process where grains are cleaned first before being weighed in, accuracy is improved; overall contamination levels have dropped significantly.
Entering an open-plan storage room via external stairs reveals a cool atmosphere inside—like air-conditioned rooms designed specifically for grain preservation. “The temperature control system keeps the warehouse below 25 degrees Celsius,” Weng Xiaowei explains.
A large balloon-like structure reaching up to the ceiling separates stored grains from working areas, filled with nitrogen gas at concentrations of around 98%, used to preserve and eliminate pests.
This year saw a new investment in an RMB30 thousand grain quality inspection information management system that will reduce errors caused by manual recording or calculation while improving data accuracy for acquisition inspections.
In the smart warehouse, more advanced technologies are being utilized making storage greener and safer.
People's Daily (October 16th, 2024)
Rice fragrance wafts along the Xin'an River as Weng Xiaowei finishes early rice acquisition work and now focuses on late-season grain storage. Standing at the entrance, he directs trucks carrying golden sheaves into warehouses via conveyors.
As a custodian of Zhejiang Province’s Jindong City Central Grain Warehouse, Weng Xiaowei says that after upgrading their smart warehouse project, managing and storing grains has become much easier! When discussing new changes in grain storage, 'smart grain warehouse' is often mentioned by him.
How does the ‘intelligent’ aspect of a smart grain warehouse manifest?
Weng Xiaowei takes advantage of an incoming truckload to give us a live demonstration: “For newly stored grains, we need to check their temperature every three days. Previously, this required manual checks in each storage room and recording them on paper. Now with the intelligent monitoring system for grain conditions, all 340 data points from one warehouse can be automatically recorded within an electronic logbook in just a minute; any abnormal temperatures will trigger alarms.”
High temperatures have always been a significant challenge during rice collection and storage. Weng Xiaowei says: “In the past, we were quite wary of storing early-season rice because it was hot when harvesting began, making grains prone to yellowing or pest infestations which are unfavorable for long-term preservation. Now with our smart warehouse’s intelligent ventilation system, grain temperatures can be automatically reduced and moisture controlled.”
Weng Xiaowei and colleague Chen Jun head towards Long-Term Storage Warehouse No. 4 where they see over ten conveyor belts lined up under a canopy in preparation to clean incoming grains before storage.
Chen Jun explains: “With this cleaning center, our job as custodians is much easier; it saves us effort, worry, and trouble while reducing transportation costs for farmers by approximately RMB 400 thousand annually.”
Previously, weighing was done after the grain entered the warehouse followed by removal of impurities which led to dust loss. Now with a new process where grains are cleaned first before being weighed in, accuracy is improved; overall contamination levels have dropped significantly.
Entering an open-plan storage room via external stairs reveals a cool atmosphere inside—like air-conditioned rooms designed specifically for grain preservation. “The temperature control system keeps the warehouse below 25 degrees Celsius,” Weng Xiaowei explains.
A large balloon-like structure reaching up to the ceiling separates stored grains from working areas, filled with nitrogen gas at concentrations of around 98%, used to preserve and eliminate pests.
This year saw a new investment in an RMB30 thousand grain quality inspection information management system that will reduce errors caused by manual recording or calculation while improving data accuracy for acquisition inspections.
In the smart warehouse, more advanced technologies are being utilized making storage greener and safer.
People's Daily (October 16th, 2024)