Silo cleaning is a process to maximize the efficiency of storage silos that hold bulk powders or granules. In silos, material is fed through the top and removed from the bottom. Typical silo applications include animal feed, industrial powders, cement, and pharmaceuticals. Free movement of stored materials, on a first-in, first-out basis, is essential in maximizing silo efficiency. The goal of silo efficiency is to ensure that the oldest material is used first and does not contaminate newer, fresher material. There are two major complications in silo efficiency: Rat Holing and bridging. Rat holing occurs when powders adhere to the sides of silos. Bridging occurs when material blocks at the silo base. Manual cleaning is the simplest way to clean silos. This entails lowering a worker on a rope to free material inside the silo. Manual cleaning is dangerous due to the release of material and the possible presence of gases. In cases of bridging, an additional danger exists as the exit hole needs to be rodded from underneath, exposing the worker to falling powder. In order to avoid such fatal accidents, we have come with mechanised procedure which involves no man entry inside the vessel/silos. Mechanised silo cleaning involves combined action of Silo whip and cardox system. Silo whip is operated from the top of the silo and the wall coating inside the silos are removed using whip heads which will be rotating at rpm of 800-1000. Cardox system is used remove the blockage in the extraction ports for the easy removal of the material. Mechanised silo cleaning is risk free as it requires no man entry inside the silo.
