Materials such as sand, grain, cement, and more require specific storage conditions. In order to meet those conditions, you need to understand the different types of metal storage silos on the market. Once you understand what makes each silo so useful, you can find the right one for your workplace needs.
Horizontal
Horizontal metal storage silos can store large quantities of materials such as lime, ash, and cement. Despite their large size, these silos can only store materials for short periods of time. What horizontal silos lack in the storage time frame, they make up for in space optimization.
You might assume horizontal structures would take up more space than vertical structures, but not in this case. Horizontal silos utilize a steel platform system that elevates them above the floor, enhancing the available space below.
Flat-Bottom
Flat-bottom silos are the go-to option for storing grain. These structures are typically constructed via galvanized steel, which helps them withstand damage from hazardous conditions like rain.
You’ll frequently find flat-bottom silos at food-related facilities such as flour mills, feed mills, and breweries. However, these silos can effectively protect a broader range of materials with the help of a sweep auger attachment.
Conical-Bottom
Whereas flat-bottom silos are great for storing materials over a long period of time, conical-bottom units are better for short-term storage of materials in small quantities. Designing conical-bottoms silos is a meticulous process; each one needs to be expertly engineered from the ground-up for the specific items you’re going to store.
That way, you can design the silo in a way that promotes the right type of flow properties for the materials. These cone-shaped silos are specifically used for various powders and granular materials such as sand or salt.
Custom
For some materials, you’re better off investing in a custom metal storage silo. As you can guess, these silos are specially built to meet your specific needs. Out of all the different types of metal storage silos, these ones are best for materials that need very specific storage conditions. If the options above don’t suit your needs in terms of flow properties or storage size, teaming with professionals who develop custom metal silo tanks should get the job done.