Silo for storing cement – types and their device

Silos are a crucial component of the industrial and construction landscapes when it comes to storing cement. These enormous constructions are made expressly to shield cement from contamination and moisture, keeping it in optimal condition for use in the manufacture of concrete. Selecting the ideal silo for your requirements can be facilitated by being aware of the various kinds and their characteristics.

There are several types of silos available, each with its own unique characteristics. The most common types include vertical silos, horizontal silos, and mobile silos. Vertical silos are typically used for large-scale storage and are a familiar sight on many construction sites. They are known for their durability and high storage capacity. Horizontal silos, on the other hand, are often used in smaller operations or where space is limited. These silos are easier to transport and install, making them a versatile option.

The maximum flexibility is provided by mobile silos. These silos are perfect for projects that call for multiple locations for cement storage because they are portable. They can be quickly and effectively set up, and they come with wheels or skids. When cement needs to be used and stored at multiple locations, this mobility can save money and time on projects.

Every kind of silo has a unique design that meets various requirements for storage. Cement can be easily discharged from vertical silos, which are typically cylindrical in shape and have conical bottoms. Rectangular in shape, horizontal silos have a screw conveyor system for effectively moving cement. Compact and sturdy, mobile silos are made to endure the rigors of transportation and frequent relocation.

The amount of cement you need to store, the amount of space you have available, and the type of project you’re working on all influence the silo selection process. You can increase the effectiveness and productivity of your operations by making an informed decision by being aware of the various types of silos and their characteristics.

Cement silo device

You must first understand what a silo is in order to comprehend how to build a cement silo by looking at the drawings. The volume selected is determined by the specific tasks assigned.

Structural steel 09G2S is used in the construction of the container, enabling the prepared structures to be used in a broad temperature range.

Plaster can be kept in large quantities in silos. consists of a vertical metal vessel with an inclined cone at the bottom that must have a specific angle.

This controls how the bulk material slides. An outlet in the form of a gate valve that is open when in operation and closed when not in use must be included in the cement silo device.

There is an auger included in the silo design. It’s inside the pipe. From there, the material enters the mixer directly through the outlet on a screw conveyor. A ladder is built into the cement tank so that someone can be lifted to carry out some emergency work. Railings must be provided in order to change filters.

Silos are designed with filters to filter the air that exits the silo so as to prevent clouds of dusty air from covering the surrounding area. Sensors at both the upper and lower levels control height.

Operating principle of a rotary sensor

If an alarm for the bulk substance level is required, a rotary sensor is used.

A universal sensor’s greatest advantage is its widest optional temperature range of -40 to 1100º. This heat resistance allows the device to function even in close proximity to filters in metallurgical or steel plants.

Ten bar is the maximum pressure that the device is designed to withstand. The different seals that the sensor is equipped with are chosen based on the material being measured.

The device works on the basis of an electric motor rotating the sensor blade at a speed of 1 to 5 revolutions per minute when the container is filled with bulk material. The moment the blade makes contact with the material’s upper level, the relay trips, the rotation stops, and an audible signal denoting filling is sent to the output. When the level is reached, the device’s light signal column alerts users.

A spring is used to switch between three modes of operation for the sensor, which are dependent on the density of bulk materials and are made possible by an integrated board with electronics:

The mode that is most often utilized is medium. The motor board has the following two switches:

  1. Upper. Serves to set the response time at a minimum level of bulk solids.
  2. Lower. Used to delay response at maximum material quantities.

There is an overflow and underflow switch on the device. The sensor’s working principle is straightforward. Nevertheless, there are certain aspects that must be considered. Among them are:

  • bulk density of the material;
  • size of the container;
  • temperature and pressure of the process;

Cement silo aeration system

The issue of removing dry powder materials from silos, bunkers, and other capacitive storage facilities is a significant one for businesses that store them.

The purpose of the cement silo aeration system is to keep the material in the bunker’s narrowest conical section from caking. During loading, it makes the material more fluid.

A distribution pipeline is provided for this reason, allowing air to reach every nozzle uniformly. At low pressure, this kind of system uses a lot less air.

It includes:

  • connecting tubes;
  • adapters;
  • electromagnetic shut-off valve;
  • filter with pressure regulator;

Unlike the vibrator, the aeration system does not place a damaging load on the storage tank walls. Installing and assembling it is simple.

Advantages of using silos

The following are some benefits of using bunkers:

  • Compact area. Due to the vertical method of storing bulk materials and the large volume of the silo tower, significant savings in useful areas for construction are achieved.

  • Ensuring uninterrupted operation of the facility and the presence of a full warehouse with cement. This is the golden rule for organizing any construction site.

Types of silos

There are silos for the logical arrangement of cement storage on the property. They are made with various designs and for multiple purposes.

Each cement tank is unique in terms of volume, equipment, and design.

Three categories of bunkers exist:

  1. Vertical stationary solid tanks. They can be very often seen on almost all construction sites.
  2. Collapsible (panel) modular bunkers.
  3. Mobile tanks.

Stationary solid tanks

The consumer selects stationary welded tanks if ease of installation and speed are his primary considerations. These cement bunkers are essentially used at permanent locations that aren’t going to be moved anytime soon.

Because a stationary silo is subject to wind loads, its height can only be limited. Furthermore, precipitation’s effects may compromise the bunker’s stability.

Scales to measure the amount of cement inside this design are a bit of a challenge. Large size is a benefit of a stationary silo; however, poor stability and cement caking are drawbacks.

Collapsible (panel) modular bunkers

Installing panel silos would be a workable solution if an on-site concrete plant needs to build up a stock of cement that will eventually be moved to a different location.

Specialized workshops are used to manufacture cement silos that can be disassembled. They offer every prerequisite for a top-notch assembly. These are semi-automatic welding machines, as well as automatic bending and rolling machines.

The product is fully shot blasted after assembly. To stop the silo from corroding externally, multiple coats of paint are applied to the components of the demountable silo elements inside a dedicated paint chamber.

A demountable cement silo’s capacity ranges from 35 to 300 tons for building materials. Dismountable storage facilities have the benefit of being portable due to their compact design.

Mobile

A mobile cement silo differs completely from the typical vertically welded and modular structures. It is advised that facilities with small concrete plants use horizontal storage facilities.

When working with multiple contractors or when you need to change locations frequently, mobile tanks are a convenient option. Its width and maximum length of 9 meters match the transport dimensions of a Euro truck.

The end of the silo is trapezoidal and features a distinctive cement vault cone. The piping system of this mobile bunker is akin to that of vertical, modular, or welded silos. It has an aeration system, a vibration motor, an emergency valve to release excess pressure, and a cement filter.

The working principle involves using a screw conveyor with an electric motor to move the entire volume of cement storage horizontally and in an open manner the entire length of the silo. Cement truck is used to load the container.

Features of choosing a silo

Making the right equipment choice is a pretty important task. Certain conditions are placed on the purchase, depending on its intended use:

  1. The maximum volume of the bunker must correspond to the actual productivity of the concrete plant.
  2. Easy transportation by vehicles and further assembly of the silo at the installation site.
  3. Liquidity and capacity expansion.
  4. Ensuring normal and uninterrupted operation of the bunker and its stability.

If you choose to purchase the smallest bunker because you have limited funds but still want to start the plant no matter what, consider how many hours of labor this cement will require. The cement truck might end up having to deliver cement every two hours, which would obstruct other process participants. In a different scenario, it might turn out that the silo’s volume is not going to be a multiple of the cement tanker’s volume and that some of the silo’s capacity will not be utilized.

You can choose this device by choosing from photos of various varieties of cement silos that you can view visually on the Internet.

Storing cement properly is crucial for maintaining its quality and usability, and silos are the primary structures used for this purpose. There are various types of silos, each designed with specific features to suit different storage needs and capacities. From vertical silos that save space and provide easy gravity feeding to horizontal silos that offer stability and are ideal for larger storage requirements, understanding the different types and their specific designs can help in choosing the right one for your needs. This article will explore the main types of cement silos, their construction, and how they function to ensure cement stays dry and ready for use.

How much does silage cost

It is critical for business owners and all construction workers to understand the cost of a cement silo warehouse. A mobile silo is slightly more expensive than a stationary vertical one. This is because of the intricate manufacturing process and design elements. However, as an on-site option, the high cost is offset by the ease of use.

All-welded tanks have advantages over modular ones, including easier transportation and installation afterwards. They are also marginally less expensive.

Installation of a cement silo

A cement silo for bulk materials has unique characteristics and environmental requirements during installation because it is a fairly complex engineering structure. Tank installation employs pre-assembly technology. The machinery is delivered as individual ready-made pieces that must be put together to form a single structure.

Each ring in a segmented solution for cement warehouses is put together using three or more segments. Following that, fasteners are used to put the rings together. Welded rings are supplied as concentric circles with a ring solution; they simply need to be fastened together during installation.

Type of Cement Silo Description
Bolt-Together Silo Constructed from sections bolted together on-site, easy to transport and assemble.
Welded Silo Pre-fabricated in the factory and delivered as a single piece, ready for installation.
Mobile Silo Mounted on a trailer or wheels for easy transportation to different locations.
Low-Profile Silo Designed for areas with height restrictions, easier to fill from ground level.
Square Silo Compact design to maximize storage space in restricted areas.

Because they offer a dependable and effective means of managing and storing cement, cement silos are essential to the construction sector. Businesses can select the best solution for their needs by being aware of the various types of silos and their unique characteristics. Depending on the intended use and site conditions, each type of silo—from mobile and stationary to vertical and horizontal—offers a different set of benefits.

Because horizontal silos are lightweight and simple to erect, they are perfect for projects that need to be moved frequently. Vertical silos, on the other hand, provide a larger storage capacity without occupying much ground area, making them ideal for locations with limited space. Mobile silos are ideal for short-term projects or locations with shifting requirements because they combine the advantages of simple transportation with quick setup.

For large-scale operations, stationary silos offer a long-term storage solution that guarantees a steady supply. Modern features like automated filling and dispensing systems, which boost productivity and lower labor costs, are frequently installed in these silos. Businesses can make well-informed decisions and guarantee that their cement storage satisfies present and future demands by being aware of these options.

A number of considerations must be made when selecting the ideal silo, including storage capacity, site conditions, and the type of construction being done. Businesses can invest in a silo that serves both their short- and long-term objectives by assessing these components. An additional factor in the overall success of construction operations is the optimal performance and longevity that are ensured by proper silo management and maintenance.

Video on the topic

Basic requirements for harvesting haylage/silage in a trench.

Silos for storing cement. Manufacturing a group of silos. STILAR Company

How silos are built?

Cement silo. Presentation of products "AltaiStroyMash"

pumping cement from a cement truck into a silo

Cement silo

Which aspect of concrete application are you most interested in?
Share to friends
Anna Vasilieva

Journalist with a technical education, specializing in construction topics. I can explain complex technical topics in simple and accessible language.

Rate author
StroyComfort1.com
Add a comment