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DOWNLOADSThe Advantages of Flexible Silos
Fabric or flexible silos offer manufacturing plants a number of advantages over traditional rigid silos. From easy installation through to excellent emptying characteristics, they are a highly cost-effective solution for many bulk storage applications.
Materials Handling Benefits
As with any bulk storage device, connection to the downstream equipment and successfully feeding the raw materials into the process are fundamental.
In terms of connectivity flexible silos can be treated in the same way as steel silos. So for example, they can accept flanged level probes; include inspection ports, access doors and sight glasses; and be fitted with explosion relief panels.
Their discharge characteristics are also very good as they will tend to change shape as the stored material flows out, acting as a flexible outlet cone to prevent bridging and hang ups on the silo walls.
Should the process or material require additional handling elements, they can can be fitted with a bin activator, screw conveyor, rotary valve or vacuum conveying system take-off box.
Fabric Silo Construction and Options
The silo fabric is a high tenacity, anti-static woven polyester material and there are over 30 different types of fabric options available. Coatings are also applied where appropriate to give enhanced properties including those to make the fabric food safe, anti-static or non-stick.
Fabric silos are suited to a wide range of industries and use a multiple fold in the fabric to give them strength. They have an upper storage capacity of 50 tonnes and typically have a lower limit of 1 tonne.
The breathable nature of the fabric walls is very advantageous when handling many materials. This breathability also aids in venting the silos during filling. Even though they are dust tight, they are gas permeable and air generated during the silo filling process, vents through the sides and walls. This saves the cost of fitting reverse jet filters to your storage silos.
Applications and Uses
Fabric silos, with the correctly specified materials of construction, are used in many industrial sectors including plastics, food, agriculture, chemical and biomass processing applications.
They can be supplied with FDA approved materials, as well as in ATEX applications where non-conductive materials are needed.
Often used as day bins, where a full days production is loaded into the silo, this gives the advantage of only requiring one filling cycle per shift rather than having to deal with multiple sack or tote bag fills.
Installation
As flexible silos are based on a simple steel frame construction, they can be assembled on site and don't require complex craneage to be placed into position.
This also saves having to rearrange the roof or walls to fit your silos in place!
Further Information
Please contact our team with any questions you may have and download our brochures for further technical information on our Krause Flexible Silos.