How to Choose a Silo for a Dry-Mix Mortar Plant? Zhongqinglin Heavy Industry Tells You
When choosing a silo for a dry-mix mortar plant, it basically boils down to matching your workload, ensuring the stored materials don’t cause issues, and guaranteeing safe and convenient use. You just need to focus on four key aspects: "how much it can hold", "what it’s made of", "what functions it has", and "how sturdy it is".
Nov 03,2025
（一）When choosing a silo for a dry-mix mortar plant, it basically boils down to matching your workload, ensuring the stored materials don’t cause issues, and guaranteeing safe and convenient use. You just need to focus on four key aspects: "how much it can hold", "what it’s made of", "what functions it has", and "how sturdy it is".
（一） First, consider "how much it can hold": Avoid shortage or waste
The storage capacity depends on your daily material consumption, intended storage duration, and the types of materials. Poor capacity selection will either lead to material shortages and work stoppages or wasted space due to an overly large silo.
·For commonly used materials (e.g., cement, fly ash), use large silos with a single-silo capacity of 50 to 200 tons. For less frequently used materials (e.g., additives, cellulose ether), small silos of 10 to 30 tons are sufficient to prevent material deterioration from long-term storage.
·Reserve extra "backup space". For example, if you use 30 tons of cement daily and plan to store a 3-day supply, choose a 100-ton silo (calculate 30×3 and add an extra 10%) to avoid temporary material shortages.
·If the site is small, arrange multiple silos side by side or stack them vertically. This increases storage capacity without taking up extra space.
（二） Next, check "what it’s made of": Ensure compatibility with stored materials
Different materials have different properties, so the silo’s material must be selected appropriately. Otherwise, materials may get contaminated, the silo may corrode, or materials may clump and become unusable.
·For ordinary materials (e.g., cement, sand), ordinary steel plates (Q235B) work well. They are cost-effective and sturdy, but the inner surface of the silo must be coated with an anti-corrosive layer (e.g., epoxy resin) to prevent rust from mixing into the materials.
·For corrosive materials (e.g., certain special additives), use 304 stainless steel silos. They resist acid and alkali, preventing reactions that could damage both the materials and the silo.
·If your location is humid or the stored materials are prone to absorbing moisture, add an insulation layer (e.g., rock wool with color steel plates) to the silo’s exterior and a moisture-proof coating to the interior. This prevents material clumping caused by water condensation.
（三） Then, evaluate "what functions it has": Prioritize work efficiency and safety
The silo must have practical functions; otherwise, it will cause slow discharging, frequent failures, and potential environmental pollution.
·These 3 functions are essential:i. Level indicator: A device that shows the remaining material in the silo. It alerts you to add material when levels are low and stop filling when the silo is nearly full.ii. Fluidization device: Air-permeable pipes or plates installed at the silo bottom. They inject air to loosen materials, preventing clumps from blocking the discharge port (a common issue known as "bridging").iii. Dust collection system: A pulse dust collector installed on the silo top. It absorbs dust generated during material feeding, meeting environmental standards (dust concentration ≤ 10mg/m³) and avoiding excessive dust.
·These 2 functions are optional based on your needs:
·Weighing module: Precisely measures the weight of materials in the silo, facilitating cost calculation and accurate formula control.
·Arch-breaking device: For materials prone to clumping (e.g., lime powder), install a pneumatic "arch breaker" to break up clumps.
（四） Finally, verify "how sturdy it is": Ensure resistance to environmental conditions
The silo’s structure must adapt to your site’s conditions; otherwise, it may tilt, get damaged easily, and cause operational troubles.
·Choose the right foundation: Assess the site’s ground stability. For soft ground, use deep concrete piles (at least 3 meters deep); for firm ground, use reinforced concrete foundations to prevent silo tilting.
·Withstand wind and earthquakes: In coastal or windy areas, add a wind-resistant ring to the silo top. In earthquake-prone areas (seismic intensity ≥ 6 degrees), thicken the silo wall or install anti-seismic brackets to prevent earthquake damage.
·Facilitate maintenance: Install ladders, maintenance platforms, and observation windows on the silo exterior for daily inspection and repair. Leave enough space at the silo bottom’s discharge port to clear blockages if they occur.
