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Digital Re-print November | December 2014

STORAGE - Outloading from silos

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&FEED MILLING TECHNOLOGY

STORAGE

GRAIN

Outloading
from

silos

by Bentall Rowlands

ith over a century of experience in the design, quality

and installation of grain storage systems, Bentall
Rowlands Storage Systems Limited is a leading UK
manufacturer in complete storage and processing equipment for
the agricultural and industrial markets.
Bentall Rowlands offer a wide range of galvanised steel silos
and hoppers, water tanks, catwalks and platforms, material handling
equipment, cleaning and grading and weighing and drying systems
that are assembled worldwide.
The Companys engineering and technical expertise combined
with continued focus on customer satisfaction places them in a
strong position to capitalise on the expanding market in storage
systems. With the capabilities to design, manufacture, supply and
install storage systems from an extensive range of products, Bentall
Rowlands provide comprehensive end-to-end solutions, which can
be designed to any specific clients requirement.
The company have designed and installed silos worldwide, including the UK, Kenya, Thailand, Germany, Holland, France, Ukraine,
Malawi, New Zealand and many more.
Kevin Groom, Technical Director says, Our storage systems are
individually designed for all clients. Each project has a bespoke design
that is sure to match, if not exceed client expectations. We are
extremely proud of the projects that we have undertaken in many
challenging areas, proving that whatever the specification, we are sure
to provide the most suitable design necessary.
Outloading from their range of silos occurs in a variety of ways:
With flat bottom silos, the great debate rolls on; tunnel unloading
systems versus discharger. Both systems have their own benefits and
merits.
With a tunnel system the main benefit is using gravity to discharge
product from the silo to angle of repose. Gravity always works well
and uses no power to do so. When designing this kind of system it
is important to consider the discharge rate when sizing the opening
in the base. Grain will only run at a given rate and if you do not
have enough open area you will not be able to reach the required
handling rate. Secondly, with a tunnel system the sweep auger can
be supplied with the motor and drive assembly under the unit. This

allows the operator to access the motor and drive should there be
any issues. The wiring of these units is also made easier as the cable
trays can run down the side of the tunnel and spurs taken off to each
sweep motor.
One of the disadvantages of using a tunnel system is the cost
of the civil works. The tunnels tend to be very large to allow for
good access and this will require a great deal of extra concrete and

&FEED MILLING TECHNOLOGY

24 | November - December 2014

GRAIN

ground works. Other

issues with this system
relate to site conditions namely the water
table. If the tunnel
is very deep in the
ground it can easily be
below the water table.
The
discharger
system uses a screw
conveyor which can
either be cast into
the concrete, placed
in a small trench or
installed below a full
floor. This system can
greatly help reduce the
cost of the civil works
versus a tunnel system.
The dischargers tend
to come with a main
inlet that is placed on
the centre point of the
silo. Bentall Rowlands
design their dischargers
so that the centre hopper comes with a flanged opening to match
the base plate of the sweep.
With this system the motor on the sweep auger is inside the silo,
which can complicate the wiring of the motors. To overcome this
issue Bentall Rowlands run a conduit down the side of the discharger
which is angled downwards, slopping towards the outside of the silo.
Depending on the FFL of the silo base it may mean that the
reclaim conveyor will have to be placed in a trench. While this trench
may not have to be as large as a tunnel system it is generally open
to the elements. Good water drainage and housekeeping is very
important
if this
option
is chosen. 1 27/11/2014 14:25
BENTAILS
ADD
90 X 132.pdf

CM

MY

CY

CMY

Engineered & Manufactured

in the UK, installed in Germany
Project:
Customer:
End user:
Capacity:

Eppingen
Franz Ruberg & Co. GmbH
Kraichgau Raiffeisen Zentrum eG
9,000 tonnes
VISIT US ON
STAND 341 HALL 3

Bentall Rowlands Storage Systems Limited

T: +44 (0)1724 282828
Dragonby Vale Enterprise Park, Mannaberg Way, F: +44 (0)1724 280021
Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, DN15 8XF, UK
E: info@bentallrowlands.co.uk

www.bentallrowlands.com

There are many different types of sweep augers on the market,

from light, farm type units to the heavy industrial types mentioned.
When sizing the sweep it is important to have the handling rate of
the sweep auger lower than the handling rate of the reclaim conveyor. The sweep auger handling rate tends to change as the flow of
the grain is not constant.
The silo base or discharger should be equipped with a number
of intermediate outlets. (The number of outlets will depend on the
diameter of the silo.) With either a discharger or tunnel system it is
important to not operate the sweep auger until the grain has reached
the angle of repose. Once this has been reached the intermediate
outlets are opened in turn, from the centre outwards until a valley
has opened up the in the grain. The parked position of the sweep
should be just behind these intermediate outlets as this reduces the
start-up load on the unit. The main motor drives the screw section of
the sweep and also the end drive wheel or drum. The drive wheel/
drum then pushes the sweep into the grain and the screw section
carries the grain to the centre of the silo where it is discharged.
Side draw systems are also a good method of discharging the
grain in silos. This can be used as either a load out point, to load
vehicles or they can be use with a discharger system.
When outloading to vehicles this kind of system will typically give
a clearance of 4 meters with the outlet about 3 meters from the
sidewall. They are a simple duct system fitted to the sidewall with a
chain wheel operated rack and pinion gate which can be operated
from ground level. Inside the silo a baffle system is added to the
sidewall sheets above the duct. The main issue with these systems is
that by side discharging from the silo you create an unequal pressure
within the silo. Therefore it is important that the silo is engineered
to withstand this change in pressure.
Hopper bottom silos discharge purely using gravity and require
no powered means to discharge the grain. This makes them
the perfect for high turnover rates, whether this is for load out
systems or pre-store silos. The most common unit comes with a
45 degree cone when storing free flowing material. For materials
which may not flow as well, such as pellets, a 60 degree cone
can be used.
For very poor flowing materials, such as meal, a smoothwall
design can be used. The size of the outlet in the cone will also
depend on the flow type of the material and also the discharge
capacity required. The gate clearance will also change in accordance
with the application. Pre-store silos may be feeding to a single or
double conveyor system.
The gate clearance of an out load silo tends to be around 4.5
meters and allows vehicles to be positioned directly under the silo
for simple and effective outloading.
www.bentallrowlands.com

STORAGE

&FEED MILLING TECHNOLOGY

GRAIN

Storage projects
Symaga completes 128,000 m project in Kyritz, Germany
amongst others in 2014

n spite of the ongoing situation in Russia and Ukraine, one of

Symagas main markets, Symaga are pleased to report that they
are looking to be in a positive position as we draw towards
the end of 2014. Furthermore, the companys strong worldwide
presence will contribute to overcoming the situation in the
aforementioned countries.
Symaga has expanded widely and have finalised important projects
around the world. One of the last projects was erected in Kyritz,
Germany. Symaga supplied 6 silos at more than 32 metres in
diameter, and 3 silos at more than 18 metres in diameter.
This project, in total, has a capacity of more than 128,000 m. It is a
feed mill installation, located in the north of the country, providing
an excellent service in the region.
Currently, Symaga expects an exponential growth in Middle East,
Africa, and South East Asia.
Requests for higher quality worldwide are further helping Symaga
in its expansion. A year ago, Symaga, driven by the aim of always
offering the highest standards on the market, standardised the
galvanization at 600 gr/m2, being highest among the silo suppliers.
This year, Symaga was also the first silo supplier to obtain a
certificate for metallic structures, compulsory from September
this year in all EU countries.
Symaga have also successfully completed another project in Turkey
this year. The job has been carried out with 5S MAKINE LTD., This
company has recently carried out some very high profile projects.
One project is based in Izmir, consisting of 6 silos at more than
27 meters diameter, and 3 at more than 8.40 meters diameter.
The installation has a capacity of 100,000 m, included in soya oil
extraction sector.

Moreover, Symaga is increasing its presence, focusing in some

North African countries, but more prominently in Libya. In Tripoli,
there is an existing installation, which has been erected this year,
consisting of 6 silos. The total capacity of the installation is around
40,000 m. The installation is fully dedicated to Flour milling.
In Benghazi, Symaga made a strong effort to consolidate their
projects, totaling in 12 silos. Here, installations are dedicated to
different sectors, but mainly flour mill and feed mill installations.
Lastly, Symaga carried out huge projects in Tobrouk, with a total
of 16 silos at more than 22 metres in diameter. The total storage
capacity is more than 100,000 m.
In striving for excellence, building relationships and customer
care has seen Symaga consistently improve its installations. The
company constructed a new building exclusively dedicated to the
Livestock division. With this new building, Symaga are now able to
implement new machinery and expand the work capacity.
Located in the heart of La Mancha, Symaga have recently expanded
the factory. In doing so, a new annex to main building was added
comprising of rest areas and meeting rooms. This has provided a
better working environment and in turn, the ability to focus on
customer care.
Symaga prides itself on being an innovative company. Besides
getting Z600 as standard and becoming the first silo supplier to
become CE certified, Symaga is still going over and above in its
efforts. The company is constantly at the forefront of research that
looks to improve quality. Symaga also invests in R&D, developing
new accessories, or improving previous ones. These new products
will be available soon.

OVER 50 YEARS OF ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS

Sukup Manufacturing Co. continues to Engineer Solutions to meet the challenges of
the grain industry. As the worlds fastest-growing bin company we offer commercial bins
with clear span roofs and holding capacities up to 1.5 million bushels. We also have
a complete line of drying, storage, and material handling products, as well as steel
buildings - all engineered to revolutionize grain processing and storage, making it
easier, more efficient, and more profitable.
Sukup Manufacturing Co. www.sukup.com info@sukup.com Sheffield, Iowa 50475-0677 641-892-4222

STORAGE

Westeel deal augurs well

Auger maker buys city grain-bin maker. Westeel
president Andre Granger says he is excited
about the growth potential

onsolidation in the manufacturing of grain-handling

equipment in Winnipeg has created what one analyst
called a "big North American storage and grain-handling
juggernaut."
Ag Growth International (AGI) has purchased Winnipeg grain-bin
manufacturer Westeel for $221 million. Westeel is the dominant
grain-bin manufacturer in Western Canada -- controlling as much as
50 percent of the market.
AGI controls about 50 percent of the grain-auger market in the
U.S. corn belt through a number of different branded manufacturers
throughout Western Canada and the U.S. Midwest.
"What goes hand-in-hand with grain augers? - Storage bins," said
the Bay Street equity analyst who spoke on the condition his name
was not used. "Ag Growth has just gone from 10 per cent share to
a 60 per cent share in the storage-bin market (in Western Canada).
This is just a wonderful deal for Ag Growth. There is a lot they can
do with this deal."
In a prepared statement, Gary Anderson, president and chief
executive officer of AGI, said, "AGI's vision is to become the global
market leader in grain handling, storage and conditioning solutions.
(This) acquisition will add an iconic Canadian brand of grain storage to AGI's already impressive stable of leading manufacturers of
grain-handling and conditioning equipment." AGI's brands include
Westfield, Hi Roller, Tramco and Batco.
Westeel had been owned by Toronto-based Vicwest Inc. and was
one of two operating divisions. Vicwest has been acquired by the
Kingspan Group out of Ireland, which will retain the other division,
Vicwest Building Products.

&FEED MILLING TECHNOLOGY

GRAIN

Andr Granger, Westeel's president, said his company is excited

about the potential to go forward as one of the AGI group of
companies.
"We have the largest market share by far in the storage-bin business and AGI is the clear leader in grain augers. This is an opportunity
for us to work together and develop that market in a combined
offering," Granger said.
"The other obvious synergy is that we both sell internationally.
By combining the two businesses, we will have the opportunity
to compete more strongly with the large competitors out of the
U.S."
Westeel has about 260 employees in Winnipeg and about 600
in total, including at three plants in Saskatchewan and Alberta and a
small one in Italy.
Granger said it was too early to tell exactly how the integration
will play out, but he said: "For the most part, my expectation is that
this will be a great opportunity for our employees to continue to be
part of a very focused ag company and continue to grow."
The Vicwest sale requires shareholder and regulatory approval
and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2015.
AGI will finance the acquisition partially with a bought-deal share
and debt offering worth about $90 million.
The remainder of the purchase price of the transaction will be
funded by AGI through expanded credit facilities.
The deal was announced earlier this week just prior to the
release of AGI's third-quarter results, which was the fifth consecutive record quarter for AGI in terms of both trade sales
and EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and
amortisation).
With the addition of Westeel's $180 million in annual revenue, it
will add about 44 percent to the $400 million of annual revenue AGI
generated in the past 12 months.
It will also significantly add to AGI's bottom line. Last year,
Westeel produced about $20 million in EBITDA. In the first nine
months of this year, AGI produced $65.2 million in EBITDA.

innovative R&D
leader worldwide
presence in 120 countries

since 1985

92% export rate

www.symaga.com
symaga@symaga.com

flat bottom silos

hopper silos

IAOM
03-06th December,
Cape Town,
South Africa
Stand B16

Offices and Factory:

Ctra. de Arenas km. 2,300
13210 Villarta de San Juan Ciudad Real- Spain
T: +34 926 640 475 F: +34 926 640 294
Madrid Office:
C/ Azcona, 37 28028 Madrid - Spain
T: +34 91 726 43 04 F: +34 91 361 15 94

LINKS
November - December 2014

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Outloading
from Silos
Volume 125 - Number 6
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Changing Perspectives: HGCA conference

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