Silo Services
Silos are used in many industries - particularly the agriculture industry for storing bulk materials such as grains.
At Croston Engineering, we’ve been helping people with the bulk material handling needs for almost 50 years, so we know that there’s more to silos than just their hard metal exterior.
Keep reading for more information on silos, including what a silo is, the different types of silo, what we use silos for.
What Is A Silo?
A silo is a large storage tower that’s used to store various bulk materials. Their sizes can vary to accommodate the amount of bulk material, but they’re usually very large. The range in height can vary from 10m to 90m, and they can store weights of up to 80 tons.
Most silos are built using large sheets of steel, which increase the longevity of the silo. These sheets of steel tend to be ribbed on the inside, which ensures that the material doesn’t stick or get caught on the walls of the silo.
When this happens, material can build up on the walls over a long period of time, and usually won’t be removed with the rest of the material.
Silos typically have an access point on the roof where you put the bulk materials in, and the exit point is usually on the bottom. How you get the materials in and out depends on what the material is, and who your supplier is.
Some typical ways of getting the materials out can include:
- Gravity
- Auger
- Pneumatic conveying system
Most silos are designed with a cone shape underneath, which gives you more control of the flow of the bulk material. If pneumatic conveyors are used to remove the materials, then a conveyor tube is attached directly to the bottom of the silo, which makes the process more streamlined and controlled.
Some silos will be raised on a platform so a truck can park underneath and collect the load, which is also time-saving - but generally, multiple trips will need to be made to collect all of the bulk material inside the silo.
In larger, more industrial settings where there’s a larger amount of materials being processed and stored, then multiple silos may be connected to the same conveying system to save time and money.
Types of Silo
The standard tall metal silo isn’t the only type of silo - there are other types of silo that have the same function.
Sealed Silo
Sealed silos are used to protect the bulk material from outside forces such as damp and insects. Insects can contaminate stored bulk and excrete moisture, which over time will cause moulding. If edible foods are stored in silos, then the insects may consume large amounts of it too - which is why it’s important to keep insects out.
Silo Bag
Silo bags are made using a film that protects against water and UV light. These large cylindrical plastic bags are sealed on both ends once filled with the bulk material. They’re an inexpensive option but are usually a temporary one if more storage space is needed.
Aerated Silo
Aerated silos are used for fine powders - air is pumped int these silos which causes the powder to act as a fluid, helping the flowability of the bulk material. This type of system also helps to prevent mould and insect activity, as well as reducing moisture.
What Do We Use Silos For?
Silos are used to store dry bulk materials. Some examples can include:
- Sawdust and woodchips - these can rot quite easily, so it’s best to store them in an airtight silo to avoid outside elements. Moisture can also make woodchips and sawdust unusable, so it should be kept free of moisture.
- Grains - this is one of the most common materials stored in silos. Metal silos will ensure insects keep out and can preserve the freshness of the product meaning you can store it for long periods of time.
- Cement - metal silos are necessary for storing cement and making it readily available for use on construction sites.
- Sand - a pile of sand can get destroyed with one gust of wind, which is why storing it in a secure place is imperative. Sand also absorbs moisture, which can affect the production of concrete - so metal silos are the best option for storing sand.