Airtight Storage System Eliminates Spoilage

Airtight storage system eliminates spoilage CROP STORAGE Bag Silos 9-6-7 "When they opened up the pyramids in Egypt they found that grain stored for thousands of years was in perfect condition because it had been stored under airtight conditions," says Thurman Boykin, spokesman for a new Clarksdale, Miss., firm that's promoting a new grain storage system that completely seals out air, reportedly storing grain for indefinite lengths of time with zero spoilage. Dubbed the "Pod" storage system, the idea was developed and perfected in Australia. The idea is to seal grain inside a flexible heavy "cocoon" of a special PVC fabric. Once sealed, all oxygen is used up and the carbon dioxide (CO2) given off by the grain kills off all bacteria molds and insects. The heavy PVC fabric is so puncture-resistant you can drive over it with a tractor. The company says rodents leave the sealed-up pods alone because no odor can leak through the fabric. "You can fill it with grain at harvest, seal it up and open it several years later and it'll be in perfect condition. There's no need to spend money on expensive aeration systems," says Boykin, noting that the company puts portholes in the side of the storage pods so farmers can check the quality of the grain while stored. Here's how grain is sealed up in a Pod. First an area is cleared and leveled. Then earth berms, about 3 ft. high, are erected on 3 sides with a tractor loader or blade. A floor liner is then laid across the storage area and grain loaded onto that. Once grain is piled into place, the PVC cover is put over the top and sealed along the edges with a special chemical solution and a heat-sealing machine. Pods can be erected to any size and can be reused after grain is removed by simply slicing off about a 2-in. edge where the Pod is sealed. The PVC fabric has a 25-year life expectancy. "Farmers can set it up themselves and either buy or rent the sealing apparatus. Storage cost is approximately 10 cents per bushel for amounts as large as 200,000 bu. up to 20 cents per bushel for amounts as low as 3,000 bu.," says Boykin, noting that the company's first grain storage pod is set up at Coahoma College in Clarksdale. For more information, contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Advanced Storage Inc., Rt. 2, Box 144X, New Africa Road, Clarksdale, Miss. 38614 (ph 601 624-9843).

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