This Grain Shrinkage Calculator helps calculate the total weight loss during drying, considering the initial and final moisture content and the initial harvested weight. By providing both moisture percentages and the harvested weight, the calculator computes the total shrinkage due to water evaporation and calculates the remaining weight after drying. This tool is ideal for users who need to know how much water is removed and the grain's final weight after drying.

Calculator

1. the weight of the grain when harvested in pounds
2. the percentage of water present in the grain at the time of harvest
3. the target moisture percentage after the drying process is complete
4. decimal precision, the number of digits after the decimal point

Result

1. the total percentage of the grain's weight lost due to water removal during drying
2. the remaining weight of the grain after the water has been removed

Constant Shrink Factor

Example

Harvested Weight: 1000 lbs of grain.
Initial Moisture Content (MC): 25% (moisture before drying).
Final Moisture Content (MC): 15.5% (moisture after drying).

Calculate the Dry Matter:

The dry matter is the portion of the grain that remains constant and doesn't evaporate during drying. It can be calculated as:

Dry matter = Harvested Weight (1 - (Initial MC ÷ 100)

Using the example values:

Dry Matter = 1000 * (1 - (25 ÷ 100)) = 1000 * 0.75 = 750 lbs

The dry matter is 750 lbs.

Calculate the Final Weight:

After drying, the final weight is calculated using the dry matter and the final moisture content:

Final weight = Dry Matter ÷ (1- Final MC ÷ 100)

Using the example values:

Final Weight = 750 ÷ (1 - 15.5 / 100) = 750 ÷ 0.845 = 887.57 lbs

The final weight of the grain after drying is 887.57 lbs.

Calculate the Water Shrink (Percentage of Weight Lost):

The water shrink is the percentage of the original weight lost during drying. This is calculated as the difference between the initial weight and the final weight, divided by the initial weight, then multiplied

Water Shrink = ((Harvested Weight - Final Weight)  ÷  Harvested Weight) * 100

Using the calculated values:

Water Shrink = ((1000 - 887.57) ÷ 1000) * 1000 = 112.43 ÷ 1000 * 100 = 11.243 %

11.243% of the grain's original weight was lost due to water evaporation.

The Water Shrink: 11.243 %.
Final Weight: 887.57 lbs.
Water Shrink: 11.243% (or approximately 112.43 lbs lost).

This tool helps users in the grain industry estimate total shrinkage more accurately by factoring in handling loss alongside water evaporation.

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