grain steel silo

grain steel silo Introduction

The steel grain silo is a modern storage facility for grain. It features a fully enclosed design with functions such as moisture-proofing, waterproofing, and fire resistance to ensure the quality and freshness of stored food items like rice. In terms of service life, steel grain silos have a relatively long lifespan, lasting more than ten years. In contrast, traditional cement silos have a shorter service life due to material aging and environmental factors, often requiring frequent repairs and replacements. Therefore, steel grain silos have advantages in the long run.

Structural composition of grain steel silo

Grain steel silos, as we commonly know them, are typically large-scale equipment with four main components: 1) Foundation, 2) Steel silo body, 3) Homogenization and discharge system, and 4) Supporting equipment. Each part has its specific tasks and functions. Below is a detailed explanation of the composition and responsibilities of each component.

Foundation

The foundation design follows the principles of traditional building construction. Like constructing a building, it starts with a geological survey. Based on the survey report, decisions are made regarding whether to use piles and what type of pile foundation to build. The foundation must support the entire structure, ensuring the load-bearing capacity meets the required standards.

Steel Silo Body

1. Components of the steel silo: From top to bottom, the components include the equipment platform, platform columns, and platform-supported equipment such as dust collectors and feeding pipes.
2. Dome-shaped silo roof: The silo roof can be constructed using common forms such as grid structures, truss structures, or conical designs. Safety features like guardrails, overpasses, and silo structural trusses are installed, with arching in the truss center designed according to specific requirements.
3. Steel components of the silo body: The steel silo body is comprised of various parts, including cylindrical columns (channel steel, steel pipes), ring ribs (channel steel, T-section steel), and circular steel plates (C/D/E steel plates), based on the silo’s diameter and height. Additional components include steel platforms, spiral staircases, guardrails, and catwalks. The design and material of the steel plates must comply with relevant standards and specifications. In academia, the silo body is studied under thin-shell steel structures, with specialized research programs available internationally.

Homogenization and Discharge System

Homogenization and discharge are critical processes in modern steel silo construction and are areas of extensive research.

• Homogenization process: The system uses a roots blower to channel air through pipelines into the silo, controlled by solenoid valves and gate valves. Inside the silo, the air enters fluidization pipes (or fluidization rods, which are more commonly used now). These rods are made from perforated steel strips (6mm holes), rolled, welded into nd45 or nd50 circular pipes, galvanized for corrosion resistance, wrapped with filter cloth, and fitted with stainless steel corrugated mesh. The process is complex. The air from the pipes homogenizes the materials in the silo, which are then transported to a low-pressure area called the decompression chamber (homogenization chamber). Beneath this chamber is the discharge port, completing the homogenization process.
• Discharge system: The discharge volume is designed based on production requirements. The system uses a funnel, gate valve, flow valve, and pipes or chutes to transfer materials out of the silo. Ensuring proper design and construction quality of the homogenization and discharge system is critical for the silo’s efficiency, preventing material compaction, and achieving the required discharge rate.

Supporting Equipment

1. Silo roof dust collector:
   During material feeding, pressurized air from tanker trucks transports fly ash into the silo, resulting in air mixed with material being expelled. To meet environmental and workplace standards, a dust collector is installed on the silo roof.
2. Elevator and small bulk silos:
   Depending on daily transportation requirements, additional bulk silos can be constructed for convenient vehicle loading. Bulk silos reduce operating costs and improve transportation efficiency. A suitable elevator is required to transfer materials from the main silo to the bulk silos.

Advantages of grain steel silo

Stable Structure

Steel silos are constructed using high-strength steel, offering excellent resistance to earthquakes and wind, thereby ensuring the safe storage of materials.

Large Storage Capacity

Steel silos can be customized to different specifications as needed, with capacities ranging from thousands to tens of thousands of tons, meeting the demands of large-scale storage. They are easy to construct, have short construction periods, and are quick and convenient to install. Additionally, they have low foundation requirements and relatively low maintenance costs.

Long Service Life

Steel silos treated with anti-corrosion coatings perform exceptionally well in rust prevention and corrosion resistance due to their special materials. This gives them a longer service life compared to traditional concrete warehouses. Maintenance costs and time are also minimal. Moreover, they are easy to dismantle, flexible to relocate, and can be reused multiple times.

Environmentally Friendly and Energy Efficient

Steel silos feature excellent sealing properties, effectively preventing materials from becoming damp or contaminated while minimizing material loss during storage.

Technical parameters of grain steel silo