Cutting-Edge Technologies in Grain Drying: Innovations for Efficiency, Quality, and Sustainability

A special issue of AgriEngineering (ISSN 2624-7402). This special issue belongs to the section "Pre and Post-Harvest Engineering in Agriculture".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 22 July 2026 | Viewed by 1427

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Food Science, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, Fayetteville, AR 72704, USA
Interests: postharvest engineering; applied crop storage research; sustainable energy; computer-aided grain drying modeling; numerical modeling; grain handling automation and controls; high-temperature drying
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, Northeast Rice Research and Extension Center, 15327, Highway 1, Harrisburg, AR 72432, USA
Interests: postharvest crop drying, handling, and storage; postharvest crop waste/byproduct utilization; postharvest integrated pest management; human safety on farms and at processing plants

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Guest Editor
Department of Food Science, University of Arkansas Rice Processing Program, Fayetteville, AR 72704, USA
Interests: food processing; postharvest systems engineering; grain drying; grain chilling; grain aeration; computerized mathematical modeling

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues, 

Grain drying is a critical postharvest operation that directly influences grain quality, storage stability, energy consumption, and overall supply chain efficiency. This Special Issue aims to showcase emerging technologies and innovative approaches that are reshaping traditional grain drying systems into more efficient, intelligent, and sustainable processes. The focus includes advanced drying methods, energy optimization, modeling and simulation, hybrid and solar-assisted systems, sensor-based monitoring, and the integration of digital technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, machine vision, Internet of Things (IoT), and automation.

The scope of this Special Issue spans experimental research, computational studies, technology validation, and practical applications across diverse climatic conditions and grain types. Contributions from academic researchers, industry experts, and interdisciplinary collaborations are encouraged.

The purpose of this Special Issue is to highlight transformative engineering solutions that address key challenges in grain drying such as non-uniform drying, high energy use, and quality degradation while supporting global goals for climate-resilient and resource-efficient food systems.

This collection will complement the existing literature by offering new insights into underexplored areas like AI-driven process control, sensor fusion, and renewable-energy-integrated drying. It will serve as a valuable resource for engineers, researchers, and practitioners seeking state-of-the-art solutions in postharvest grain handling.

Dr. Shubham Subrot Panigrahi
Dr. Kaushik Luthra
Dr. Griffiths Gregory Atungulu
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • grain drying
  • postharvest engineering
  • energy efficiency
  • artificial intelligence
  • machine vision
  • solar drying
  • hybrid systems
  • IoT
  • drying optimization
  • automation

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 5118 KB  
Article
Effect of a Low-Temperature Tempering Process on the Hot Air Drying Characteristics and Quality of Waxy Corn
by Qingyun Sun, Qina Yu, Menglong Han, Xianlong Yu, Zhenchao Jia, Dayong Guo, Feng Zhao and Zongchao Zhang
AgriEngineering 2026, 8(3), 89; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriengineering8030089 - 2 Mar 2026
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Abstract
A low-temperature tempering staged drying process was proposed in this study to minimize quality degradation and improve drying efficiency during waxy corn drying. Experiments of continuous drying, low-temperature tempering drying, and low-temperature tempering staged drying were conducted to investigate the drying characteristics and [...] Read more.
A low-temperature tempering staged drying process was proposed in this study to minimize quality degradation and improve drying efficiency during waxy corn drying. Experiments of continuous drying, low-temperature tempering drying, and low-temperature tempering staged drying were conducted to investigate the drying characteristics and quality of waxy corn. The results showed that the low-temperature tempering drying process could shorten the effective drying time and increase the drying rate during the latter stage of the drying process. Under the same hot air temperature, increasing the tempering temperature from 30 °C to 40 °C reduced the effective drying time by 20 min. The Modified Henderson and Pabis model exhibited the best fit to the experimental drying data (R2 ≥ 0.9864). The microstructural images of the waxy corn flour showed no significant changes among the experimental groups. The color difference (ΔE) of the continuous drying group was higher than that of the other experimental groups. Both the low-temperature tempering drying process and the low-temperature tempering staged drying process caused less damage to the waxy corn with a relatively lower crack ratio, thereby leading to a reduced electrical conductivity value. The starch content of the 80 °C–60 °C–40 °C group was higher than that of the other experimental groups. Based on comprehensive evaluation of the drying characteristics, the color parameters, and the quality of the dried waxy corn, the 80 °C–60 °C–40 °C group represents a favorable alternative. Full article
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Review

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25 pages, 1769 KB  
Review
The U.S. Parboiled Rice Production: Processing Innovations, Market Trends, and Circular Economy Pathways
by Kaushik Luthra, Abhay Markande, Josiah Ojeniran, Griffiths Atungulu and Kuldeep Yadav
AgriEngineering 2026, 8(4), 136; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriengineering8040136 - 2 Apr 2026
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Abstract
Parboiling enhances the nutritional, structural, and economic value of rice, yet its adoption in the United States remains limited despite rising domestic and export demand. This review summarizes key stages of the parboiling process and their effects on milling yield, grain integrity, nutrient [...] Read more.
Parboiling enhances the nutritional, structural, and economic value of rice, yet its adoption in the United States remains limited despite rising domestic and export demand. This review summarizes key stages of the parboiling process and their effects on milling yield, grain integrity, nutrient retention, and glycemic response. It outlines major industry challenges, including high energy and water use, uneven heating and drying, handling of defective kernels, limited automation in smaller mills, labor shortages, and emerging climate-related risks. Advances such as vacuum soaking, infrared and microwave-assisted drying, smart sensors, and AI-driven control systems show strong potential to improve efficiency and product quality. Circular-economy strategies, including biomass energy recovery, water reuse, and by-product valorization, offer additional sustainability gains. Continued research, modernization, and policy support are critical to strengthen competitiveness and positioning of the U.S. parboiled rice sector for a more resilient and sustainable future. Full article
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