Steel silos originated in the early 20th century, and their development has gone through four stages: riveted steel silos, welded steel silos, prefabricated steel silos, and spiral-edged silos (also known as Lipp silos or spiral silos).
Prefabricated steel silos appeared in the mid-1950s, and Lipp silos began production in the 1970s.
Welded silos have welds, making them prone to corrosion; spiral silos are mainly used in the mining industry.
Prefabricated silos are the mainstream in the grain and agricultural industries.
In the 1990s, the construction of large steel silos in China achieved unprecedented development.
With the mechanization, automation, and modernization of steel silos, construction and management technologies have continuously improved, gradually solving the difficulties in the turnover and storage of large quantities of grain and other raw materials. As an industrial product, steel silos provide users with excellent turnkey projects.
Bolt-assembled corrugated steel silos are characterized by their light weight, convenient assembly, low price, high degree of mechanization and automation, and high efficiency. Initially, due to the thin walls (0.4-4mm), large temperature differences between the inside and outside of the silo, and insufficient sealing, people doubted the safety of storing grain. They also questioned the lifespan of thin-walled steel silos.
Through more than a decade of research and practical exploration, these issues were gradually understood, especially after large-scale development began in the early 1970s with the use of standardized materials. People initially suspected that the thin walls, large temperature differences, and condensation would damage the grain. Practice has proven that thin-walled silos do not damage grain. It is generally important to control the moisture content of the grain (generally not exceeding 13%). Although the walls are thin, allowing easy penetration of external temperature, grain is an excellent insulator, with temperature changes only within 15cm. It also absorbs and dissipates heat quickly.
Because of temperature monitoring devices inside the silo, monitoring can be conveniently performed in the control room. Any temperature changes can be addressed appropriately. Steel silos are highly susceptible to temperature differences from external influences and are prone to condensation. Therefore, it is essential to install exhaust pipes and axial flow fans on the silo roof. Mechanical ventilation devices and ventilation ducts are installed at the silo floor. Mobile fans are an effective means of ensuring safe grain storage. Mobile cooling and ventilation devices can also be used to maintain grain at a low temperature of 5-15℃.
Since mastering this technology, combined with existing grain processing techniques such as cleaning, screening, grading, dust removal, and a mature and complete set of management methods (e.g., grain turning and activating the internal grain turning system), bolt-assembled steel silos offer the advantage of easy dismantling and relocation.
Long-term practice has proven that using standard materials and applying double-sided galvanizing heat treatment or other coatings to the thin plates will meet the required service life. Pressing the galvanized thin plates into a corrugated shape greatly enhances their strength, making them sturdy and durable.
With the rapid development of the steel industry, the output, quality, and variety of steel can all meet the requirements for silo construction.
