A crucial part of the manufacturing and construction sectors are cement silos. The purpose of these sizable storage containers is to store and release bulk materials like cement, guaranteeing the seamless and effective completion of construction projects. It is impossible to exaggerate their significance in preserving the availability and quality of cement.
Cement silos come in a variety of forms and functions, but they all have the same main use: storing large amounts of cement in a controlled environment. This keeps impurities and moisture from eroding the cement’s quality and guarantees that it will always be in excellent working order. Silos are available in a variety of sizes and configurations, each suited to meet the demands of a particular project.
Silos not only shield the cement but also make handling and moving this essential substance easier. They lessen the chance of supply shortages and the need for frequent deliveries by offering a central storage location. This improves output while also assisting in more efficient cost management.
Cement Silo Type | Description |
Vertical Cement Silo | Tall, cylindrical structure used for storing bulk cement; requires minimal ground space. |
Horizontal Cement Silo | Low-profile, rectangular container ideal for sites with height restrictions; easy to transport and set up. |
Mobile Cement Silo | Portable unit on wheels, designed for easy relocation to different job sites; perfect for temporary projects. |
Bolted Cement Silo | Modular design that can be easily assembled and disassembled; ideal for long-term storage needs. |
Welded Cement Silo | Permanent, sturdy structure often used in large-scale industrial projects; offers high storage capacity. |
- Cement silo device
- The principle of operation of the rotary sensor
- Cement silo aeration system
- Types of silos
- Installation of a cement silo
- Major domestic manufacturers of cement silos
- Video on the topic
- Production. Cement silo.
- manufacturing of a cement silo
- ZZBO-TV No. 69 | OZB components for cement silos
- Cement silos from the manufacturer ZZBO. Production of prefabricated cement silos
Cement silo device
A vertical, four-support vertical steel cylindrical bunker tank is part of the silo design, and it is set up on a concrete base. The lower portion of the bunker is a shortened cone with a screw conveyor and disc valve for emptying cement into a designated transport. Through the feed pipeline, cement is unloaded from below and placed into the tank. The top portion of the tank has the following installed:
- A safety valve for relieving excess pressure that occurs when loading the unit.
- Cement silo filter designed to remove dust from air released into the atmosphere when filling the bin. How does a filter work on a cement silo? Contaminated air displaced by the material entering the tank passes through vertical filter elements, is cleaned of cement and is released into the atmosphere. An electric vibrator periodically shakes the filter elements – they are cleaned and the cement is returned to the silo.
- Protective fence for service personnel.
Two sensors allow the silo’s minimum and maximum filling levels to be controlled. The lower sensor is situated on the edge of the tank’s cylindrical and conical sections. The top cover or the upper portion of the unit’s cylindrical surface are two possible locations for the upper sensor to be installed. For precise filling level readings, a third sensor may occasionally be added.
Different designs and operating principles apply to different cement level sensors in a silo. The four types of level sensors used by equipment manufacturers are conductive, vibration, capacitive, and rotary.
A rotary level sensor is the most widely used type and is known for its dependability and durability. The following are the key components of the rotary sensor’s design:
- Low-power (4 W) electric motor with an extended shaft and the possibility of console installation on vertical surfaces using a thread and nut.
- Blade made in the form of a flag installed on the end of the electric motor shaft using a fork-split pin detachable connection.
- Automation systems installed in the control panel and sound signaling.
The principle of operation of the rotary sensor
- After applying voltage to the electric motor, the shaft with the flag begins to rotate.
- The shaft rotates until the flag hits the thickness of the cement loaded into the tank. Due to the low power, the electric motor cannot rotate the flag in the thickness of the cement and stops.
- The automation system responds to engine shutdown by sending a signal to the control panel and a duplicate loud sound signal.
- When the cement level drops below the circle described by the flag, the electric motor turns on, and information about the absence of the upper or lower cement level is sent to the control panel.
Cement can adhere to the tank walls and cake (compact) in a "harmful" way. Silos are designed with aeration systems and systems for vibratory shaking of the installation tank because this makes the unloading process very difficult.
Equipment manufacturers prefer the option of "liquefying" the caked cement using aeration technology because the shaking system gradually destroys the bin body.
Cement silo aeration system
- Compressed air supply pipelines encircling the conical part of the tank.
- Aeration plates or nozzles cut into the conical part and connected to the pipelines.
- Air filter regulator.
- Electromagnetic valve.
- Compressor unit for generating compressed air.
- Control and automation system.
The aeration system works on the principle of feeding compressed air into the silo via nozzles and pipelines. The caked material is loosened by compressed air. This eliminates the need for overtime labor and delays in cement unloading.
All silos have internal and external ladders to facilitate unit maintenance and cleaning.
Types of silos
When making a silo purchase, there is one thing you should consider. The calculation of a cement silo is predicated on the necessity of utilizing the loaded material in its entirety within a week. If not, the cement cakes and becomes less effective.
Tank sizes produced by equipment manufacturers range widely, ranging from 6 to 182 tons for bulk product. Average capacities and rough functions of silos:
- Unit with a capacity of 6-35 tons. Recommended for: industries with low daily consumption, industries in process flow charts that use special grades of "binder" and all kinds of improving additives, complete sets of factories manufacturing paving slabs and dry building mixes, companies packing cement into bags and plastering stations. Such equipment can be installed indoors without the need to build a capital deep foundation.
- Plant with a capacity of 45-70 tons. Is the optimal option, which is equipped with a standard concrete plant of medium productivity. It can also be used in the format of a container consisting of a technological chain of packaging production or asphalt production.
- Silo with a capacity of 80-182 tons. Designed for powerful concrete production and other consumers of bulk products with a high daily consumption of cement: transshipment warehouses, rail bases, etc.
Installation of a cement silo
Typically, anchor bolts are used to fasten the silo to the surface of a supporting foundation after it has been installed. In this instance, based on the silo’s dimensions and the soil’s characteristics, the necessary anchor bolt diameter and foundation measurements are computed separately.
Additionally, a minimum of 50 meters of clear space should be left around the installation’s perimeter to permit access for special vehicles. Fundamental guidelines for cement silo operation:
- It is prohibited to overload the installation by more than 1% relative to the rated value of the hopper capacity.
- It is prohibited to continue loading after the upper cement level sensor is triggered.
- It is prohibited to load cement that contains metal objects and other solid impurities.
- During operation, you should keep the equipment clean and do not allow the silo to operate: with a faulty mechanical or electrical part, with leaky threaded connections and ruptures in the housing, with damage to pipelines and other structural parts.
Major domestic manufacturers of cement silos
Manufacturer | Bunker volume, m3 | Capacity, t |
LLC "Sevmetallstroy" | 7-45 | 10-65 |
OOO "RussaMet" | 6-130 | 8-182 |
OOO BSU "Service" | 22-100 | 30-135 |
OOO "DZM" | 6-120 | 8.5-156 |
OOO "Stroy Beton" | 8-120 | 10-156 |
The cement storage equipment volumes that are displayed are typical designs. All of the aforementioned businesses as well as others of a like nature provide customized silo design and manufacturing in line with client specifications.
Cement silos are essential to construction projects because they offer a dependable and effective means of managing and storing huge amounts of cement. These silos are crucial for preserving cement’s quality, shielding it from contamination and moisture, and guaranteeing a consistent supply for a range of building requirements. Construction sites can run efficiently and without frequent disruptions for cement deliveries by having a dedicated storage system.
Cement silos come in a variety of forms, including stationary and mobile models, each designed to meet the demands of a particular project. For projects requiring frequent relocation, mobile silos are especially helpful, but stationary silos provide better capacity and stability for extended use. The size, duration, and logistical requirements of the project all play a role in selecting the best kind of silo.
Cement silos must be properly maintained and operated to prevent common problems like material deterioration and clogging. The silo’s lifespan can be increased and reliable performance can be guaranteed with routine cleanings, inspections, and adherence to manufacturer instructions. The efficiency and success of building projects are ultimately influenced by the purchase of high-quality silos and regular maintenance.
In conclusion, cement silos are great resources for the building sector because they provide useful options for managing and storing cement. They support the general productivity of construction sites, simplify operations, and preserve the quality of the materials. The correct cement silo can significantly impact the successful completion of projects, regardless of size, in terms of meeting project objectives.
Cement silos are crucial storage facilities used in construction; they are made to effectively store and distribute massive amounts of cement. In order to preserve cement’s quality and efficacy in construction projects, these structures make sure that it is kept dry and clean. Cement silos, which come in a variety of shapes and sizes, are essential to contemporary building because they offer a consistent supply of this essential component, which speeds up processes and lowers expenses.