Silo installations and raw material conveying

Storage and transport of bulk materials from silos

Complete systems, from the storage silo through to automated conveying and feeding of raw materials. We design the discharge from the cone, the conveying route and the control system, fully integrated with the production line.

Ask about a system Conveying technologies

3 technologies mechanical, pneumatic and hybrid conveying CIP process hygiene, with no dead zones ATEX · HACCP · GMP compliant builds 24/7 technical support and service

Silos in the process

A silo is the buffer that steadies the whole plant

Silos keep raw material continuously available despite the varying rhythms of delivery and consumption. A properly designed system for discharging and feeding material from the silos determines whether the production line runs without interruption, how precisely it doses and how safe the whole process is.

Storage and buffering

The construction and fittings of the silo are chosen to suit the characteristics of the material: bulk density, moisture content, and any tendency to cake or segregate. Discharge is assisted by fluidisation systems, vibrators and aeration pads.

Discharging material from the silo cone

Continuity of supply comes down to the choice of discharge equipment: rotary valves, screw feeders or a pneumatic conveying system, each selected for the particular material and throughput.

Conveying and feeding into the process

The raw material goes to mixers, feeders, intermediate vessels or packing lines. The control system supervises fill levels, conveying speed and even feeding.

Conveying technologies

Mechanical, pneumatic or hybrid conveying?

We choose the technology to suit the properties of the product and the demands of the process, not the other way round. We design and supply complete systems for discharging and conveying raw materials from silos to the next stage of processing, together with dust extraction, foreign-body separation, filtration and automatic control of the material flow.

Mechanical conveying

Screw feeders, drag chain conveyors, bucket elevators and belt conveyors. Well suited to high throughputs and straight routes, at low energy consumption.

Pneumatic conveying

Both vacuum and pressure systems, for shorter and longer distances alike. Enclosed, dust-free pipework routed in any direction.

Hybrid conveying

Combines mechanical and pneumatic methods in a single installation, to optimise material flow and energy consumption along the whole route.

Parameter	Mechanical conveying	Pneumatic conveying
Routing	straight runs; a change of direction needs another conveyor	pipework in any direction, through walls and floors
Dust	enclosed system, usually with dust extraction	enclosed pipework, dust-free conveying
Moving parts	along the whole conveying route	none along the route
Energy consumption	low at high throughputs	higher, depending on distance and material
Typical applications	large material flows over short, straight routes	powders and granulates, complex routes, hygiene requirements

Installation components

Proven components for silo installations

The installations we design are built primarily on our own technology and equipment made in-house, supplemented by components from trusted suppliers. Every element is adapted to the particular medium and to the requirements of the process.

Feeding systems

Volumetric and gravimetric feeding of raw materials into the process.

Pneumatic conveying

Vacuum and pressure conveying lines for bulk materials.

Rotary valves and butterfly valves

Controlled discharge of material from silo cones and vessels.

Screw feeders

Screw feeders and tubular disc conveyors for mechanical conveying.

Big bag stations

Filling and emptying big bags in line with the silos.

Dust extraction and filtration

Systems for dust extraction, filtration and foreign-body separation.

Diverters and mixers

Splitting the material flow and blending raw materials.

Control and visualisation

Process automation: levels, recipes and reporting.

Integration and control

Fully integrated with the production line

Installation for storing and conveying bulk raw materials from silos, integrated with the production line — A silo discharge and conveying installation built by InterProcess

The automatic control system synchronises the silos with the rest of the process plant: it monitors fill levels, controls conveying speed and keeps the feeding of raw materials even. The process runs steadily and repeatably, which feeds directly into the quality of the finished product.

Controlmonitoring of fill levels, flow control, recipe management
Process hygieneCIP, easy access for cleaning, no dead zones
Safetybuilds compliant with ATEX, HACCP and GMP requirements
Integrationfull compatibility with other manufacturers’ equipment
Upgradesextending existing lines with new modules, without replacing the whole installation

ATEX HACCP · GMP upgrades of existing installations

Why InterProcess

Why choose our solutions?

A tailored approach: every system is designed around the customer’s needs

End-to-end delivery: from design through to commissioning and service

Proven components: reliable industrial equipment only

Experience across many industries: food, chemical, pharmaceutical and construction

Safety and hygiene: systems compliant with ATEX, HACCP and GMP

Technical support and service: with a fast response, including 24/7 cover

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How is a silo and its fittings matched to the bulk material?

The starting point is the character of the material: bulk density, moisture content, and any tendency to cake or segregate. From that we select the geometry of the cone, the equipment that assists discharge (fluidisation systems, vibrators, aeration pads) and the discharge device itself: a rotary valve, a screw feeder or a pneumatic conveying system. The capacity of the silo follows from the rhythm of deliveries and of consumption in production.

What is the difference between mechanical and pneumatic conveying, and when should each be used?

Mechanical conveying (screw feeders, drag chain conveyors, bucket elevators and belt conveyors) works well with large material flows over short, straight routes and at low energy consumption. Pneumatic conveying carries the material through enclosed, dust-free pipework in any direction, through walls and floors, with no moving parts along the route, which is why it is chosen for powders, granulates and processes with high hygiene requirements. In many installations we combine the two into a hybrid system.

Can a new system be integrated with an existing line and with other manufacturers’ equipment?

Yes. Systems designed by InterProcess can be fully integrated with equipment from other suppliers, both mechanically and at control system level. That makes it possible to upgrade existing installations and to extend lines with new modules without replacing the whole infrastructure. The work is preceded by a site survey and an audit of the existing arrangement.

How does the control system supervise storage and conveying of raw materials?

The system monitors the fill levels of the silos and intermediate vessels, controls conveying speed and keeps the feeding of raw materials even and in line with the recipe. The silos are synchronised with the rest of the process plant, and the process runs steadily and repeatably, with visualisation and reporting for the operator.

Do the installations meet ATEX, HACCP and GMP requirements?

Yes. Our designs take account of explosion safety (ATEX) and of process hygiene: CIP cleaning, easy access for cleaning and the elimination of dead zones. For the food and pharmaceutical industries we build installations compliant with HACCP and GMP requirements.

Planning to store material in a silo?

Get in touch and our engineers will prepare the best solution for your process. We also offer audits of existing systems and upgrades of older production installations.

Get in touch