My thesis focused on the study of spontaneous combustion of loose hay, which is considered to be an important problem in agriculture. During the summer, farmers invest a lot of effort in drying hay, which serves as feed for livestock during the winter. Despite all this effort, ensuring the correct storage of hay with a target hay moisture content of around 14% is often a challenge. Adverse weather conditions can make the drying process to the desired hay moisture content more difficult, increasing the risk of spontaneous combustion. My research has focused on the key characteristics and factors that contribute to the risk of spontaneous combustion. Hay spontaneous combustion can be defined as a process in which hay spontaneously ignites under certain conditions without an external ignition source. This phenomenon is the result of microbiological action and chemical reactions in the hay mass which cause an increase in temperature. Among the main factors contributing to spontaneous combustion, I have highlighted the moisture content of the hay, its density and the size of the hay pile, as well as environmental factors such as the ambient temperature and the presence of air. In my study, I found that routine measurement of temperature and humidity in hay piles allows for early detection of the hazard. Identifying hot spots is crucial for timely action and fire prevention. When an increase in temperature occurs in a haystack, it is essential to immediately inform the fire brigade, who can take action by extinguishing with a deep-drawn fire extinguisher. In the final part of my thesis, I outlined the importance of using dryers. This can reduce the risk of spontaneous combustion and ensure safer storage. My conclusion is that the proper use of drying devices could make farmers' work much easier and increase the safety of their storage facilities. I would therefore recommend that anyone who has not yet decided to purchase desiccant dryers should seriously consider this option.
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