Fertilizer Silos
DE standard grain silos are perfect for storing granulated ferliser for short periods of time. Longer periods are attainable if measures are taken to prevent moisture building up in the silo (including the use of aeration).
Nb/-Air is drawn into silos every night as the silo cools and often brings in moisture from the atmosphere. This is the most common cause of moisture in silos. DE specialised fertiliser silos are made 1.6mm thick steel spiral walls and stronger bases for the storage of heavier product and can be built with steeper cones though this is not recommended. The angle at which granular fertiliser flows is similar to grain so there is usuall no need to have steep cone silos which is a common mistake by some manufacturers as steep cones often causes material to bridge in the cone. (ie: If a silo needs ‘Access Tubes’ to get material flowing, they are the wrong silos for the job).
Urea can be stored safely for a short term in DE standard silos though stronger walled silos are recommended as Urea is very hydroscopic readily absorbing moisture from the atmosphere. Extra care must be taken to keet Urea completely dry and more care must be taken when unloading to make sure the material is flowing correctly. Urea can absorb moisture causing it to clump or stick together, if this happens it needs to be loosened from the silo walls to make sure it doesn’t stick and flows evenly. Always make sure there is a constant flow of material into your auger as we have seen other silos ruined when the cone has emptied leaving the walls with about 30t of weight on them before the urea has started to fall. The best way to handle urea if it has absorbed moisture and formed into a semi-solid (caked) is by tapping the silo walls and hopper while unloading with a rubber mallet which will free it up.
DE field bins are possibly the best storage option for granulated fertiliser with steep cones and shorter walls. (The auger should be choked a little to reduce power requirements when emptying)
Spiral Silos
We Are currently building fertiliser silos using ‘Spiral Technology’ on the walls.
These new style silos have a flat wall inside without any rivets or overlaps which often allow corrosion while the flat smooth walls allow material to flow freely down the silo walls.
These silos are 5.0m in diameter with a 30 deg base cone, a shorter body while made from the same material as used in our 260t silos making them the strongest portable silos available in WA. All silos are fully sealable for grain storage and constructed from ‘Hot dipped’ galvanised pipe for longer life.
92.5m3 (65t of Urea) 7.0m tall.
63t Fertiliser Silos