Bulk material storage vessels (e.g., silos, bins, hoppers, bunkers) are available in a variety of sizes, shapes, and materials of construction. Proper selection of a silo, bin, or hopper requires evaluation of many factors, and in cases where basic material characteristics have been ignored, undesired consequences such as structural failures, caked or segregated material, and erratic discharge have resulted.
VIRA Engineering’s excel at thoroughly reviewing your storage needs, measuring critical bulk material flow characteristics, selecting the appropriate hopper discharge pattern, and designing a storage vessel that will operate correctly from the start and provide a long service life.
Review our solution approach and experience highlights below to better understand how we can help you implement a new storage vessel or retrofit a poorly operating vessel that continues to incur unnecessary costs.
Silos are typically designed for storing large volumes and are cylindrical in shape with a cone or mass-flow bottom. Bins are used for storing smaller volumes of bulk materials and typically handle surge capacities. Hoppers are similar to bins except with an open top. Storage capacities up to 10,000 cubic feet can easily be handled with hoppers, bins and silos.
The hoppers, bins and silos are used in the wastewater treatment, cement, chemical, mining and aggregate industries for storing many bulk materials.
VIRA Engineering’s provides effective functional engineering for silos, bins, and hoppers. Our designs consider:
- General configuration that meets capacity and spatial constraints
- Bulk material flow properties that help select vessel design parameters
- Hopper shape, angle, and internal surface required for bin flow pattern
- Outlet size and shape engineered to avoid poor flow and ensure discharge rate
- Feeder selection and design to maintain reliable discharge from hopper outlet
- Unique design features for powder and bulk solids reliable handling, processing
Type of Availability
- Cylindrical Silo with Cone Bottom
- Cylindrical Silo with Mass-Flow Bottom
- Square Hopper or Bin with Inverted Pyramid Bottom
- Rectangular Hopper or Bin with Mass-Flow Bottom
Advantages
- Custom Engineered – To Exceed Customer Requirements
- Heavy-Duty Construction – To Increase Hopper, Bin or Silo Life
- Heavy-Duty Structural Frames and Supports – To Provide System Rigidity
- Positive Material Discharge – To Prevent Bridging or Arching in Hopper, Bin or Silo
- Dust-Tight Construction – To Eliminate Dust Emissions