What comes to mind when you think of silos? For most people, a storage silo stores grain and other bulk materials. You might be surprised to know there are different types, depending on the application and what you want to store in them. Moreover, there are conditions you should consider to get the most from them. For instance, granules and powders from 1m3 to 50m3 require a safe and tamper-proof solution with an air vent filter arrangement, high/low-level sensor, and a hygienic, GMP built.
Understanding storage silos
Storage silo is a structure that stores materials in bulk form, usually powders and grains. It is also suitable for storing other elements such as calcium oxide, cement, plastic resins, activated carbon, and calcium hydroxide. Most structures are cylindrical with metal supports, but some designs appear square or rectangular.
Silos look similar to a tower due to their size. Depending on the application, they can be made from metal, reinforced plastic, fiberglass, wood, reinforced concrete, and other materials. For instance, storage silos for pharmaceutical, chemical, manufacturing, and food industries are usually made of stainless steel.
Types
Storage silos vary based on the raw materials they can store. They come in three types:
1. Tower silos
The most common storage silo usually stands 3 to 40 meters tall and can be 4 to 48 meters in diameter. It is utilized for storing grain, woodchips, and cement. It can be unloaded into conveyors, trucks, or rail cars.
2. Bunker
A bunker silo is a trench with concrete walls filled and packed with loaders and tractors. A plastic tarp covers the filled trench for an airtight seal. It makes sense to use one when you need to store large quantities of material for industries such as agriculture.
3. Bag silos
These are plastic and hermetic tubes or bags for storing fodder and grains in the field, usually measuring 2 to 21 meters in diameter, with varying lengths based on the materials they will hold. They are typically heavy and compacted with a machine, then sealed on both ends. However, they are the most economical.
Advantages
A storage silo is a space-saving solution that can be better than a horizontal warehouse. It also stores products in optimal conditions to cost-effectively preserve their quality and integrity.
Reputable manufacturers of storage silos can apply additional features to their products, such as an explosion vent for flammable products, a CIP system, and automation options for downstream and upstream processes. You can also customize loading options, such as manual, vacuum, and screw conveyors.