Advanced Storage and Conveying Technologies for Large Capacity Steel Silos

Introduction to High Capacity Steel Silo Technology

Steel silos have become an essential storage solution for a wide range of industries due to their durability, high capacity storage and advanced material handling capabilities. Large-capacity steel silos, typically referred to as silos with diameters of 18 meters or more, are widely used for storing fly ash, cement, grain and other bulk materials. Since their introduction to China in 2007, these silos have revolutionized industrial storage, particularly in fly ash storage, where they offer greater efficiencies compared to traditional methods.

Current Status of Large Fly Ash Steel Silo Applications

Prior to 2008, steel silos were primarily used for cement storage, but their application has since expanded to include fly ash storage in power plants and industrial facilities. The steel silo storage technology has several advantages:

• Large storage capacity (from 5,000 to 50,000 tons)
• Corrosion-resistant steel construction for increased durability
• Automatic material handling for efficient loading and unloading
• Space-saving design, ideal for industrial plants where space is limited

Today, cement steel silos are fully established in the market, while fly ash steel silos continue to gain popularity for their efficiency in waste management and material recovery.

Feeding process for high capacity steel silos

Depending on the distance and the type of material, the feeding process of a large capacity steel silo consists of two main methods:

1. Pneumatic conveying system (for short distances)

• A single-tank pump is installed below the dust collector of the power plant.
• Fly ash is fed directly into the silo through a pneumatic conveying pipe.
• This method is most effective for distances up to 1,500 meters.

2. Bulk Truck Transportation (for long distances)

• Fly ash is transported using bulk trucks.
• Bulk truck pumps are used to unload the material and feed it into steel silos.
• This method of transportation is ideally suited to locations far from the source and ensures flexible and economical handling of the material.

Unloading principle for steel silos

The unloading system of large capacity steel silos is designed to be highly efficient with minimal material residue. The discharge process consists of

1. Silo bottom structure

• A closed pressure relief cone is installed at the bottom.
• The cone is equipped with an aeration device to activate the material flow.
• The side panels include a material conveyor with a vertical discharge duct at the top.
• The silo bottom is angled at 17° for optimum material flow.

2. Aeration discharge system

• The aeration zone is divided into more than 50 zones for precise control.
• The outer and inner aeration zones ensure uniform material discharge.
• A V-shaped discharge unit is formed between adjacent material guides for smooth material flow.

3. Material Activation and Discharge Process

• A Roots blower supplies air to specific aeration zones to fluidize the material.
• The fluidized material flows into a central pressure relief cone.
• Aeration activates the material and improves fluidity.
• The material is then transported to the desired location through the conveying piping.

Unloading and conveying process of fly ash steel silo

After unloading, fly ash can be transported by two main methods:

1. Chute and elevator system

• The material is conveyed to the elevator via a chute or pneumatic pipe.
• It is then loaded into bulk trucks or proportioning silos.

2. Direct Pneumatic Conveying

• Fly ash is transported directly to bulk trucks or silos via pneumatic piping.
• This method is faster and reduces manual handling.

AGC Customized Steel Silo Solutions

At AGC (founded in 2005), we specialize in customized steel silo storage technology for a wide range of industries, including construction (cement, fly ash), chemical (powdered materials), grain & oil storage, slag and fly ash recycling, and wastewater treatment.

We offer tailored storage and transportation solutions to meet your industrial needs. Let AGC help you optimize your material handling with high capacity steel silos!