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Beijing Double Dragon International Industrial &Mining Machinery Co., Ltd is a professional supplier of double sides galvanized spiral steel silos

A Critical Aspect of Steel Silo Safety

DATE : Jun 4th, 2024

 

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Steel silo are thin-walled shell structures that bear significant variable loads. During operation, regular settlement and displacement monitoring is crucial to effectively manage and control the silo’s settlement and displacement. This is particularly important for port enterprises where frequent material turnover within the silos exerts substantial influence on the silo structure. In recent years, a surge in incidents involving tilted, wrinkled, severely deformed, or even collapsed steel silo has raised serious concerns regarding the safety of these structures.

Ensuring Steel Silo Safety: Pre-Operation Inspection and Loading Guidelines

General Regulations:

1.Professional Training: Prior to silo operation, provide comprehensive technical training to operators and management personnel.

2.Material Compliance: Ensure that all incoming bulk material falls within the silo’s design specifications during operation.

3.Routine Inspection Procedures:

Pre-Operation Inspection: Conduct a thorough inspection of all silo components before use, focusing on:

a. Roof inlet gates

b. Access doors on silo walls

c. Discharge outlet gates at the silo bottom

d. Roof manholes

e. High-level limit indicators inside the silo

f. Temperature and humidity monitoring system

g. Ventilation system

Cleaning and Inspection:

a. Remove debris from inside the silo and inspect the silo bottom, sides, and conveyor equipment slots for spoiled material or pests.

b. If pests are present in grain silos, treat the silo walls, bottom, and equipment with appropriate pesticides and conduct empty silo fumigation.

c. Ensure the silo meets the standards for storing material.

d. Remove debris from silo auxiliary equipment and check for normal operation when empty.

Foundation and Backfill Inspection:

a. Inspect the dryness of the silo foundation or backfill slope to ensure it meets the conditions for safe material storage.

Wind Resistance Inspection:

a. For large coastal silos, ensure that the material level inside the silo is at least 50% of its capacity during typhoon warning periods.

Semi-Annual Inspection:

a. Inspect the wind resistance rings on the upper part of the silo wall every six months.

4. Centralized Loading: Ensure material is loaded through the central inlet port to guarantee vertical flow into the silo.
5. Upper Level Indicator: Ensure the silo’s upper level indicator is in good working condition.

Note: The height of the grain pile’s upper edge in contact with the silo wall should be slightly lower than the upper eaves of the silo’s straight cylinder, ideally between 200 and 300 mm.
Closing Inlet Gates: After loading is complete, close the inlet gates.

6.Material Unloading Procedures:

Sequential Unloading: For silos with multiple discharge outlets, ensure the center discharge outlet is completely emptied before proceeding to unload from other outlets. The opening sequence for other discharge outlets is as follows:

a. Open the two symmetrical outlets closest to the center.

b. Gradually open the remaining outlets towards the silo wall.

7. Avoid Simultaneous Loading and Unloading: Do not load and unload material simultaneously.

8. Prevent Material Arching Collapse: Prevent large-scale collapse of arched, compacted material inside the silo.

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