Agent Training Tobacco Update

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Agent Training Tobacco Update

• November 2, 2004
• Paul E. Sumner
• Extension Engineer

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Have you voted Today???
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Use of Diffusion Tubes to Indicate NOx in the
Barn During Curing

• Phillip Morris Project
• Tubes placed in top of curing chamber
• Tubes placed below tobacco
• Tubes placed on outside

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Cycling Barn Furnaces and Fans to Conserve Energy

• A Cooperative Effort Between
• Virginia Tech,
• North Carolina State University,
• Clemson University,
• University of Georgia,
• University of Florida,
• Sponsored by
• Philip Morris, USA

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Normal, Ripe Tobacco Curing Schedule
165
o
F)
o

Leaf Drying
Temperature (
135
o
Yellowing
Stem Drying
120
o
Dry-Bulb
110
o
105
o
100
o
Wet-Bulb
Time (hrs)
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The Project

• 20 Units installed at 11 different locations.
  (Va-2, NC-10, SC-3, Ga 3, Fl-2)
• Cycling was limited to stem drying only (Temp. gt
  160F).
• Duty Cycle 20 min. on/20 min. off.
• Many units were installed in tandem, (same barn
  type, filled same day, etc.) one cycled, one not.
  
• Data was recorded as total fan and heater run
  time in minutes.

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Typical Barn Aug, 2004, NCSU Results
Additional Curing Time 12 to 24 hrs
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Curing Tobacco in Cut Strips
A Cooperative Effort Between North Carolina
State University Philip Morris, USA Universal
Leaf Tobacco

• Mike Boyette, Grant Ellington, Justin Macialek,
  Bobby Boaz
• Department of Biological Agri. Engineering
• North Carolina State University

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World Demand
Value Price/Quality
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Oxford Research Station 1964
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NCSU Campus 1994
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Clayton Research Station 1995
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Phillip Morris Farmer
R.J. Hinnant Sons, Kenly, NC July, 2004
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Esta Ensalada Grande!
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Universal Farmer
Rock Ridge Farms, Kenly, NC July, 2004
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Advantages

• Total Mechanization - the least-cost alternative
  - cannot be duplicated anywhere else in the
  world.
• More Uniform Density in Curing.
• Increased Curing Efficiency.
• Integrates Well with Existing Equipment.

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Rock Ridge Farms 2004
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Rock Ridge Farms 2004
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Results

• Approximately 35,000 pounds of cured Chop-Strip
  Leaf was produced on two farms in 2004.
• The material will be evaluated by one or more
  manufacturers for physical and chemical
  properties and yield.
• There is little or no technical reason why
  cutting before curing cannot be easily integrated
  into most US Flue-Cured tobacco farming
  operations.

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Using a CO2 Meter To Determine Cracked Heat
Exchangers
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Reasons for measuring CO2?

• By-product of combustion ( gt1ppm)
• Equipment warranty, cost and complexity
• Many existing commercially available meters
• Simple and direct process
• Portable instrumentation

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Propane Emissions1-AP -42 Compilation of Air
Pollutant Emission Factors Vol. 1 - Stationary
Sources USEPA, 5th ed. Section 1.5.

• CO2 12500 lb/1000 gallons
• NOx 14 lb/1000 gallons
• 1 ppm NOx 1 ppm TSNA
• Thereforegtgtgtgtgtgtgt
• CO2 893 ppm
• NOx 1 ppm

Crack
Typical Ambient CO2 Levels 300 450 ppm
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Effect of Fuel Source on TSNA

• Burner TSNA NOx
• Barn Type Configuration (ppm) (lbs) (kg)
• RD Electric Heat Exchange 0 n/a n/a
• RD LPG Direct-fired 2 0.4 0.18
• Commercial LPG Direct-fired 13 2.5 1.14

Flue-Cured Tobacco, 1998
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Direct Fired LP 5,400 9,000 ppm CO2 Pilot
Light Only 700 ppm CO2
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Direct Heat
Heat Exchanger
Heat Exchanger
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Barn Testing Procedure

• Barn must be empty
• Connect the CO2 meter to a 120 volt source and
  allow a 10 minute warm up period
• Close all air dampers to allow recirculation
• Place probe through front exhaust vent or viewing
  port on back wall into air stream

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Close all fresh air dampers
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Insert Probe in Curing Air stream after Heat
Exchanger
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Barn Testing Procedure

• Measure Ambient CO2 after 5-10 minutes
• Set thermostat 30-40oF above outside air
  temperature (maximum 140oF)
• Measure CO2 after 5-10 minutes

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CO2 Meter Results

• If ppm increases lt 100 No cracks
• If ppm 200-300 possible small leaks (check
  again later in season or next season)
• If ppm increase by a factor of 2 or more (gt900
  ppm) inspect closely for cracks and repair or
  replace heat exchanger and Notify Heat Exchanger
  Manufacturer

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Detecting Heat Exchanger Leaks

• Examine combustion chamber and all welds.
• Remove heat exchanger and examine closely (Bright
  flash light)

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Check all Exhaust Flue connections within Curing
chamber
Use high temperature sealant- 2,300oF to
repair?????
www.georgiatobacco.com
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TSNA RESULTS 2003 2004