3d silo

Types of 3D silos

Thanks to technological advancement, 3D silos have become a popular storage option in various industries. Here are three common types of 3D silos:

• 3D steel silo

  The steel mill is usually made of galvanized or painted corrugated steel sheets. The sheets are then rolled into a cylinder to create the silo body. Engineering structures like columns and rings may be used to support steel silos and keep their shape. Large capacities are one of the benefits of steel silos. They can hold a large amount of material without taking up much horizontal space. Steel corrugated silos are also very sturdy and long-lasting. If maintained properly, they can last for many years and resist damage from the weather or heavy use. Furthermore, steel silos usually have good airtightness and can stop almost all kinds of gas from getting in or out. This feature helps control the materials inside and protects them from external contamination.

• 3D concrete silo

  The concrete silo is built by pouring concrete into an ideal mold or using prefabricated concrete blocks. Steel silo is similar to concrete silos have great capacities and save land. Concrete silos are good choices for heavy industries and coastal areas because they allow materials like cement, grain, and coal to be stored conveniently and efficiently. Concrete silos are usually very secure, durable, and require low maintenance. They are a good option for storing materials that need to be protected from all kinds of weather. Concrete silos don't need any extra care after being built. Like steel silos, concrete silos are sturdy and long-lasting if used properly.

• 3D plastic silo

  3D plastic silos are usually made of high-strength polyethylene (HDPE), which is a common plastic material. HDPE is strong and can bend a little without breaking. Rotomolding, blow molding, or injection molding are some ways to make plastic silos. This makes them have a smooth inside and outside. Plastic silos are lighter than steel or concrete silos. An employee can move and install them alone easily. Plastic silos also work well and save energy. They have lower friction resistance so that materials can flow through them quickly. Plastic silos are also weatherproof, waterproof, dustproof, and corrosion-resistant, which makes them suitable for storing different types of materials in various environments.

Specification and Maintenance

The following are the specifications for a 3D silo:

• Sizes: As food industry grain silos go, the 3D model size is usually large, for example, a height of 6 meters and a diameter of 4 meters. Industrial grain silos sizes are huge when one considers functionality scale.
• Capacity: The capacity of the silo depends on the ratio of height to diameter. A cylindrical storage structure with a 6-meter height and a 4-meter diameter is large enough to store 11,187 cubic feet or approximately 265 metric tons of grain per silo. As mentioned, the actual silos will be much bigger. The average grain silo capacity is 1,000,000 liters (1,000 m3).
• Material: Silos made of stainless steal, mild steel, aluminum, or galvanized steel for food safe storage, are all compatible with food safety standards. Some materials contain a coating to prevent any chemicals from seeping into the food products.
• Design: Usually, a simple cylindrical structure but other shapes exist, like rectangular and arch shapes.
• Roof: Generally, silos have domed roofs for effective rainwater drainage. The flat-roofed version is used for stacking materials such as coal that need a horizontal loading pattern.
• Bin Walls: Grain bin walls constructed with corrosion-resistant, food-friendly materials also have walls that are more than 5 mm thick for safety purposes. They are also insulated so that temperature changes don’t occur, and animals and other pests cannot enter the grain.
• Flow Funnels: The integrated flow funnels at the bottom of the silo ensure that products or raw materials only flow out when the funnel is opened, preventing wastage.
• Augers and Belts: The conveyor systems that move the grains from the bottom of the silo to the top and vice versa are known as augers and belts. They are usually made of corrosion-resistant material and are covered with food-friendly materials to prevent any grain or food product from falling out during transit. Augers transport food material in a tube, whereas belts are open. They may run on motors, hydraulics, or gravity.
• Discharge System: The discharge system can be manual or automatic. The auger, arch gate, and flow channels are all part of the discharge system. Manual discharge systems use levers and may not be used in 3D models.
• Access Points: The ladders to access the top of silos are considered access points. They are gated for user safety.
• Bins: Storage vessels where grains or any other food product is stored. Mild steel and stainless are often used for construction. They have integrated aeration systems to stop food from getting spoiled.
• Aeration systems: The aeration system will be visible in 3D models of silos. It consists of fans and ducts. The purpose of the aeration system is to give the stored grain or any other food product, respiration, cooling, and moisture removal. Sometimes even heating is required, and that is done with the help of silos’ aeration systems. Spoiling of grains and food products is crucial, and hence, the aeration system is essential to maintain the quality of the product.
• Funnel: The integrated funnel from which grains or other food products exit when required. The integrated funnel ensures that no food product is wasted during exit.
• Support Structures: The support system for the silo to ensure that it does fall off. In some places, it will be anchored to the ground, and in others, it will be held by columns or braces around it.

Maintenance

Grain Silo needs maintenance so that the food doesn’t get ruined or stale or spoiled. The following things must be done periodically:

• A leak test should be done to avoid any leakage.
• On a regular basis, all mechanical parts inside the silo like augers, arch gates, flow channels, motors, and belts need lubrication and maintenance.
• Pest inspection is important as grains and food supplies are often attacked by pests, animals, and insects. Preventive measures should be taken to keep the pests out.
• The silo should be cleaned periodically to avoid contamination of any kind.
• Bin annexes, wells, and ladders should also be cleaned.
• Air ducts should be maintained so that spoilage doesn’t take place, and the food can breathe.
• Structural inspection should be done periodically to avoid any mishap or food product spoiling because of a breach or spoilage of the silo’s product.
• Electrical connections should be checked periodically to ensure grains’ safety and security.
• Pressure in the silo should be checked. This is especially true for silos that are storing food products like wheat that need to be under pressure to perish under it. Pressure has to be maintained and monitored regularly to ensure food quality is maintained.

Use scenarios of 3D silos

Silo structures are commonplace in numerous industries including food production, building materials, oil refining, and logistics. They serve the purpose of storing bulk materials and providing seamless automation for storing, feeding, and discharging operations.

3D silos have application prospects in many industries.

• Agriculture

  3D silos can be used to store grains, feeds, seeds, and fertilizers, optimizing space utilization and ensuring the efficient storage of agricultural products.

• Food industry

  Food factories, bakeries, and breweries can use 3D silos to store flour, sugar, feed, malt, etc., meeting hygiene and automation requirements.

• Construction industry

  In construction, 3D silos can be used to store bulk cement, aggregates, and other materials, improving material management and productivity.

• Chemical industry

  3D silos can be applied in the chemical industry for storing plastics, rubbers, chemicals, etc., facilitating material distribution and inventory management.

• Logistics industry

  3D silos can be used in warehousing and logistics systems for storing and distributing bulk materials, optimizing storage space and improving operational efficiency.

• Energy industry

  3D silos can be employed in the energy sector to store coal, fly ash, biomass, and other fuels, aiding energy production and management.

• Pharmacy

  3D silos can be used for bulk drug storage, auxiliaries, packaging materials, etc., which can improve the efficiency of material management and meet the requirements of drug storage.

How to choose 3D silos

Business buyers should choose 3D Silo models based on their specific business needs. Here are some factors to consider:

• Appplication

  Select the material and function of the silo according to the purpose of use. For example, if storing grain as animal feed, choose a 3D grain silo made of a material that can be processed into animal feed.

• Capacity

  3D silos come in all kinds of sizes, so picking the right one depends on how much material a business needs to store. Make sure the silo's size fits with the business's operations and budget.

• Design

  Choose a silo that looks good and matches with the architectural style of the place where it will be used. Consider its visibility and impact on the surrounding environment.

• Cost

  Consider the upfront expense of buying the silo and any ongoing costs for taking care of and operating it. Make sure the silo selected is a cost-effective choice in the long run.

• Supply chain integration

  If the silo is part of a larger system used to store, handle and transport materials, make sure it can work well with other pieces of equipment and tools. Check that it will fit into the energy-efficient logistics process the business has.

• Environmental impact

  Consider the environmental impact of the silo, such as its energy use during operation and any emissions. Choose a silo that is environmentally sustainable and minimizes its ecological footprint.

• Safety features

  Check that the silo has safety elements like explosion prevention and proper ventilation. These features help keep workers safe from any possible hazards that could happen during use.

Q&A

Q1: What types of materials are commonly stored in silos?

A1: Silos are commonly used to store agricultural products like grains, seeds, and fertilizers. However, they are also utilized in other industries to store cement, coal, calcium, kettles, glass, lsa, lime, marble, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and other bulk chemicals.

Q2: What are the trends in silo design and technology?

A2: The trend is toward intelligent silo systems integrated with a managerial database for real-time monitoring and inventory tracking. Besides, the use of sustainable materials and energy-efficient designs is also rising.

Q3: How long can materials be stored in a silo without degrading?

A3: It depends on the type of material and the conditions inside the silo. For example, grains can be stored for several months to a year in a properly maintained silo. Nonetheless, some materials may degrade or spoil after a few weeks or months.

Q4: What are the loading and unloading methods used for silo storage?

A4: The common methods include pneumatic conveying, gravity flow, drag chains, augers, air slides, and bucket elevators. Unloading methods vary depending on the silo's design and purpose, including pneumatic conveying, vibrating feeders, clinker grizzly and cement seals.

Q5: What are the safety measures for silo storage?

A5: Safety measures include regular maintenance and inspection, proper ventilation, explosion risk assessment, and training for employees. Besides, many modern silos have safety features like anti-flow regulation, safety valves, and overflow sensors.