Silo

Description

1. DESCRIPTION:

A Silo, also known as a storage container, is used to store reserve materials depending on the industry and the requirements for volume and type of material. Therefore, the size and shape of the silo can vary.

Agricultural plants often use silos to store rice because the demand for rice is significant, ranging from 50 to 1000 tons. Silos come in two main geometric shapes: cylindrical and rectangular.

2. OPERATING PRINCIPLE:

The operating principle of a rice storage silo is determined by its height. Materials are loaded into the silo through conveyors, screw conveyors, suction fans, or bucket conveyors (counterweights). Among these, counterweights are the most effective method as they can scoop material from a vertical position from low to high without occupying too much space for operation. Counterweights also have a lower cost and higher lifespan compared to other conveyor systems.

Once the material is fully loaded into the silo, there is usually an outer partition with a sight glass to monitor the silo’s storage level. When it is necessary to stop loading, one can simply check the storage level and halt the process.

After being loaded, the material in the silo is stored until it is needed or consumed. At this point, the material can be discharged by manually opening a hand-operated hatch or through an automatic pen valve. We can use a weighing machine to pack the material directly into bags or use a sealed pen valve to limit dust and pressure of the material.

In addition, large grain mills with silos of thousands of tons often combine with conveyors under the funnel to load materials from hoppers onto trucks or shipping containers.

3. THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN DESIGNING RICE STORAGE SILOS:

When designing rice storage silos, there are several points to consider:

1. The silo must have a larger capacity than the current demand, from 5% to 10%, to accommodate future growth.
2. Avoid welding iron inside the silo’s inner partition to prevent hindering the free movement of liquids within the container.
3. For corrosive materials like rice, stone, coal, and sand, the inner partition should be thicker than for other materials.
4. When selecting a contractor for silo construction, prioritize reputable units with years of experience. Do not only focus on cost but also consider the capabilities and experience of the contractor. A deficiency in the design and construction of a silo can cause significant damage to the business, not only financially but also in terms of human life due to risks related to weight, volume, and height of the silo.