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Silos
Silos are industrial storage structures used to hold powders, granules and other bulk materials before they are transferred to the next stage of a process. They are commonly integrated with filling, discharge and conveying equipment so that raw materials can be stored in a controlled manner and supplied to production when required.
Gallery
Bolted modular silo construction and accessories.
Technical overview
The correct silo configuration depends on the stored material, required capacity, site conditions, filling method, discharge arrangement and the equipment connected to the vessel. The product range represented on this page includes Silofab Bolted Silo systems for industrial bulk-material storage.
What is a Silo Used for?
A silo provides dedicated storage for bulk raw materials used in industrial production. Powders and granular products can be received, held and then discharged according to the requirements of the process.
Silos are used in sectors including construction materials, plastics, chemicals, environmental technology, animal feed, food production and other industries that handle bulk solids. The stored material and process requirements determine the appropriate silo construction and accessory configuration.
Pneumatic conveying systems can be used to fill a silo or transfer suitable materials between storage and process equipment. Mechanical conveying and discharge equipment can also be connected according to the application. The silo itself provides the storage volume, while the associated handling system moves material into or out of that storage.
A complete silo installation may therefore include filling pipes, filters, level-monitoring equipment, pressure-protection components, flow-aid devices, valves and discharge equipment. These components must be selected as part of the complete storage and material-handling system.
What are the Silo Types?
Silos are available in different forms according to the material, required storage volume, installation environment and method of construction. Industrial silos are widely used where bulk powders or granular products must be stored vertically and discharged from the lower section of the vessel.
Steel construction is commonly used for industrial silo applications. Depending on the design, a silo may be fabricated as a complete structure or assembled from modular sections.
Bolted silos are built from prefabricated components that are assembled at the installation site. This modular construction can simplify transportation and installation compared with moving a complete large-volume vessel as a single unit.
The product family represented on this page is the Silofab Bolted Silo. Selection of the required silo should be based on the stored product, capacity, loading and discharge method, structural requirements and the layout of the installation rather than simply choosing a silo by external dimensions.
What are the Features of Silos?
Silo features vary according to the selected design, stored material and operating environment. The complete system must combine structural storage requirements with the equipment needed for filling, ventilation, monitoring and discharge.
Important design and integration considerations include:
- Structural design appropriate to the applicable wind, snow and seismic requirements of the installation site.
- Modular construction where transport, site assembly or future disassembly requirements make this advantageous.
- Access equipment such as stairs, platforms and guardrails where required by the installation.
- Connections for silo filters and filling pipes.
- Connections for valves and pressure-safety equipment.
- Provision for level indicators and monitoring equipment.
- Provision for fluidisation or other flow-assistance equipment where required by the stored material.
The exact accessory configuration should not be assumed to be identical for every silo. Filters, level indicators, safety components, discharge devices and flow aids must be specified according to the material, filling method and process conditions.
For this reason, the silo should be treated as part of an integrated bulk-material storage system rather than as an isolated vessel.
Things to Consider When Purchasing a Silo
Silo selection should begin with the characteristics of the material to be stored and the required usable storage capacity. Bulk density, flow behaviour, moisture sensitivity and other product characteristics can influence both the silo geometry and the equipment required at the inlet and outlet.
The installation site must also be considered. Structural design should reflect the applicable environmental and regulatory requirements, including relevant wind, snow and seismic conditions. Foundation, available space, access for assembly and the relationship between the silo and surrounding process equipment should be established before the final configuration is selected.
The filling and discharge systems are equally important. The required filter, filling pipe, pressure-protection equipment, level indicators, valves, flow aids and downstream conveying equipment should be defined as part of the same engineering assessment.
For modular bolted silos, transportation, site assembly, maintenance access and future disassembly requirements should also be considered. Technical documentation for the selected equipment should correspond to the actual supplied configuration and installation requirements.
Purchase price and delivery time are relevant commercial factors, but they should be considered together with technical suitability, required accessories, installation requirements and long-term serviceability. For current pricing and assistance with selecting a Silofab Bolted Silo configuration, contact the ADNA TECH team with details of the stored material, required capacity and process arrangement.
