Taking the guesswork out of silo design
The material flow problems created by a poorly designed silo can bring your production to a grinding halt. If you want to prevent flow problems, you need to work closely with the silo manufacturer to ensure that your new silo is properly designed to handle your material. After describing problems that can result from poor silo design, this article explains how to work with a silo manufacturer in designing a new silo. Sections cover understanding flow patterns, identifying your material's flow properties, and using flow properties to design your silo. A related sidebar gives tips on choosing a feeder for your silo. [This article concentrates on steel and other metal silos; much of the information can also be applied to concrete silos.]
The way bulk solids processors and handlers order storage silos has been evolving in recent years. In the past, when a company was ready to buy a silo, tank, or other storage vessel, its engineering department or an outside consultant or engineering fm typically would recommend the silo's design. The silo manufacturer usually fulfilled the order based on this design recommendation and concentrated on manufacturing responsibilities -- typically, the silo's fabrication materials and quality control during vessel fabrication.