Sugar silo

Types of Sugar Silos

Wholesale food suppliers and manufacturers use sugar silos to store large quantities of sugar for industrial or commercial purposes. They are large structures made from materials like stainless steel, carbon steel, or aluminum. The types of sugar silos wholesale business owners use will depend on the kind of sugar being stored, how much is needed, and what kind of loading/unloading system is in place.

Jumbo bags are commonly used to hold sugar because they minimize the risk of spillage and are easy to stack and warehouse. Moreover, they can hold up to 60 tons of sugar. Tipping boxes are also common, as sugars are dumped into them from the top, usually through funnels or conveyor belts. Some batching boxes are designed to move after a particular quantity of sugar has been transported to a batch processing unit. They have a capacity of between 2-8 tons and come with some mobility features. Standard bins can hold between 5-10 tons of sugar. The mobile bin concept allows for the sugar bin to be transported when necessary through forklifts or pallet jacks. Mobile bins can hold between 2-6 tons.

When considering how to unload sugar from a silo, sugar conveyors and augers are commonly used, with augers being more common. Sugar conveyors are better suited to the task if the type of sugar being stored is powdered or has a heightened risk of dust occurring during its transportation. Troublesome sugar types that may require special attention could be pet food or biofuel sugar. Augers, which have helical screws encased in tubes or troughs, transport sugar in a jerky motion while covering any needed horizontal or vertical distance. Vertical suction conveyors or pneumatic pipelines use air pressure to move sugar.

Lumpers or sugar silos with built-in sensors trigger the unloader to start its process once sugar has fallen to a certain level in the primary storage or batch processing unit. The kind of food processing machine used for final processing and the sugar supply chain contract will determine what type of lumper is needed. Some traditional lumpers can hold between 25-120 tons and are further classified into flat-bottom, arch-bottom, and cone-bottom sugar silos.

Specifications and maintenance of sugar silos

• Capacity:

  The capacity of a sugar silo sugar is determined by the dimensions (height and diameter) of the silo and is typically expressed in tonnes or cubic meters.

• Materials:

  Silos are typically made of metal (such as galvanized steel or stainless steel), concrete or plastic. Different materials produce silos with various levels of durability, resistance to corrosion, and structural strength.

• Conveying Systems:

  A sugar silo may be equipped with different types of conveying systems for transporting sugar. Common types include screws, belts, chains and air conveying systems. The type of conveying system determines how the sugar is fed into and out of the silo.

• Dust Control:

  A sugar silo may be equipped with a dust control device. This could be a dust collector or a dust extraction system that is connected to a dust bag.

• Temperature Control:

  Some sugar silos are equipped with temperature control devices, such as temperature sensors and monitoring systems, which monitor the temperature of the sugar in the silo in real-time. This allows the storage environment to be optimised to help maintain sugar quality.

• Safety Devices:

  Sugar silos are often fitted with safety devices, such as pressure relief valves, explosion-proof response facilities, and emergency shutdown switches. These devices help ensure the safety of the silo and its operation.

Maintenance

Regular maintenance and repair of sugar silos can ensure their normal operation, safety and longevity. Here are some tips for sugar silo maintenance:

• Cleaning:

  Regularly clean the inside and outside of the sugar silo to remove dust, bacteria, mould, debris and other contaminants to ensure the storage environment is clean and hygienic.

• Inspection:

  Regular inspection of the sugar silo for damage, deformation, corrosion, cracks and other problems, timely repair or replacement of the damaged part to ensure the structural safety.

• Anti-corrosion treatment:

  For the sugar silo that is easy to be corroded, such as the silo made of metal, the anti-corrusion treatment should be carried out regularly, for example, to reapply anti-corrosion coating or repair the damaged part.

Scenarios of Sugar Silo

Sugar silos are commonly used in sugar refineries, food processing factories, distilleries, breweries, and other places where bulk solid materials need to be stored temporarily. The following are some typical usage scenarios.

• Food Processing Industry: Sugar is the main raw material of all kinds of baked food, biscuits, candies, chocolates, canned food, jams, etc. Therefore, sugar nacelles can be used to store the sugar used in all kinds of food for later use.
• Sugar Manufacturing Industry: Sugar silos are widely used in sugar manufacturing industries. They are used to store raw sugar, refined sugar, and by-products such as molasses or desugarized syrup.
• Alcohol Beverage Industry: Many alcoholic beverages, such as beer, wine, whiskey, etc., contain sugar. Sugar silos can store sugar used in fermentation, brewing, or other beverage production links.
• Chemical Industry: Sugar is both a fundamental raw material and one of the essential auxiliary materials in some chemical production processes, such as fermentation, organic synthesis, etc. Therefore, sugar silos can temporarily store sugars, increasing production stability and efficiency.
• Animal Feed Industry: Some animal feed manufacturers may use sugar as an additive to improve the taste and quality of the feed. Sugar silos can store sugars for animal feed production.
• Export/Import Terminals: Customs import/export terminals can use sugar silos as transitional stores for imported/exported sugar, thus facilitating international trade.
• Construction Industry: Sugar is occasionally used as an additive or component in some construction materials, like plasterboard or as a binding agent in certain construction products.

How to choose sugar silo

When selecting industrial sugar silos for the sugar supply chain, it is essential to consider several factors to ensure they meet storage requirements and operational efficiency.

• Capacity and Dimensions:

  Determine the amount of sugar that needs to be stored and the frequency of deliveries and consumption. Assess the available space in the facility to determine the dimensions of the silo. Consider the expansion possibilities to accommodate future storage needs.

• Silo Types:

  Choose a suitable type of sugar silo based on storage needs. If short-term storage is required, consider using a hopper-bottom silo for quick deliveries. For long-term storage, flat-bottom silos may be more appropriate. Bin-bulk trailers are ideal for temporary on-site storage.

• Material:

  Opt for food-grade stainless steel or coated carbon steel to prevent contamination and ensure product integrity. Consider materials that can withstand the storage environment and provide the necessary insulation if temperature control is required.

• Flow Mechanism:

  Choose the appropriate discharge system based on operational needs and budget constraints. Consider the flow rate required for production demands, the maintenance requirements of the system, and the compatibility with the type of sugar being handled.

• Dust Control and Air Quality:

  Opt for silos with dust filtration systems to minimize airborne sugar dust and maintain air quality. Consider the environmental impact and compliance with safety regulations.

• Access and Maintenance:

  Consider the accessibility of the silo for cleaning, maintenance, and inspection. Look for silos with built-in maintenance features that simplify upkeep and reduce downtime.

• Cost and Budget:

  Evaluate the capital expenditure and operating costs associated with the chosen sugar storage silo. Consider the trade-offs between upfront costs, long-term energy efficiency, and maintenance expenses.

Q & A

Q1: How does a sugar silo work?

A1: A sugar silo has an inlet and outlet. The inlet is the storage area where wholesalers or retailers store sugar. The outlet is where sugar is retrieved for distribution or consumption. Depending on the type of silo, it can have a pneumatic conveying system, gravity flow mechanism, or an auger/ screw conveyor system for sugar movement.

Q2: Are sugar silos environmentally friendly?

A2: Yes, sugar silos are considered environmentally friendly. They have modern storage techniques that reduce food wastage. The airtight sugar silo prevents pests and mold growth that can damage sugar. This means that sugar remains consumable and not wasted.

Q3: What are the benefits of using sugar silos?

A3: Using sugar silos offers many benefits. Industries can store bulk sugars in different types without any limitation on storage space. There is easy unloading and loading of sugar when using a silo. This boosts productivity and saves time. Sugar silos are also cost-effective in food manufacturing industries. They reduce operating costs because stored sugar is not damaged and requires little maintenance.

Q4: How long can sugar be stored in a silo?

A4: Generally, sugar can be stored in a sugar silo for years without getting spoiled, provided it is kept under the right conditions. The antioxidants in sugar prevent it from getting damaged or degrading, even when kept in a sugar silo for years.