WO2024083318A1

WO2024083318A1 - Silo with hopper insert, method for its construction and use thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2024083318A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/079019
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andy VANPARYS; Francky VANPARYS
Original assignee: SCE NV
Current assignee: SCE NV
Priority date: 2022-10-19
Filing date: 2022-10-19
Publication date: 2024-04-25
Anticipated expiration: 2025-04-19
Also published as: EP4605320A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a silo system comprising one or more essentially rectangular silo cells, each silo cell comprising an inlet part at the upper end, an intermediate body part, a hopper part and an outlet at the lower end, wherein said hopper part comprises a transition funnel restricting the passage from an initial rectangular cross section in the body part to an intermediate rounded rectangular cross section in the transition funnel to a final cross section at the outlet. The inventions also relates to a method for constructing such silo system.

Description

SILO WITH HOPPER INSERT, METHOD FOR ITS CONSTRUCTION AND USE THEREOF

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to silos consisting of a vertically arranged cell and an outlet opening at the bottom, and more specifically silo complexes comprising a plurality of such silos.

In particular, the invention relates to silos in which a hopper part comprises a transition funnel restricting the passage from an initial rectangular cross section in the body part to an intermediate rounded rectangular cross section in the transition funnel to a final cross section at the outlet.

BACKGROUND

Silos are used industrially for the temporary storage of bulk or dump goods in the form of powders or granular products such as grain, coals, cement, animal feed, sand, gravel, fertilizer, etc. The two most common types of silos have cylindrical or square towers, which function as cell or storage space. At the bottom of the cell, the silo is provided with one or more outlet openings where the stored material can be transferred to a transport system or to a truck for transport.

Such silos are already known according to the state of the art. For example, FR 2 541 715 describes a cylindrical silo with a cell bottom having at least two discharge openings, each of which is located at the bottom of an outlet opening with inclined walls; said outlet openings are separated by at least one upright edge which is straight or bent downward in the vertical plane and is formed by the intersecting line of the walls of said outlet openings, all of these outlet openings are situated in a circle with radius R = 4/10 of that of the silo, and at least one additional discharge opening which is also at the bottom of an outlet opening with inclined walls and separated from said large outlet openings at least by an elevated edge which is rectilinear or curved, and wherein said additional outlet openings are located outside of said circle with the discharge openings, and are also separated by upright edges.

A similar concept to that described in FR 2 541 715 is shown in US 4,361,254. US 4,361,254 discloses a hopper having a peripheral side wall having upper and lower outlet openings and a cone-shaped body arranged inside the peripheral side wall, which thus defines an annular space for the storage of solid material there between. The lower outlet opening is separated from the cone-shaped body and thus defines an annular discharge point there between. Finally, the German patent publication DE 1 226 942 describes a first silo for heavyflowing bulk material with a prismatic or cylindrical upper part which merges into a prismatic base, the circumference of which is described by the upper part, and which contains a cross-shaped roof.

A major problem with silos is the incomplete outflow of the stored material. Such material can decay or degenerate, as a result of which not only the quality of the stored material may be jeopardised, but also creating a risk of infection for all the material stored in the cell of the silo. However, the prior art does not show any silos in which the necessary measures have been taken to impede or at least partly prevent the accumulation of residual material.

The current state of the art does not provide or does not adequately provide a solution to one or more of the above-mentioned problems or shortcomings.

SUMMARY

To this aim, the invention provides in a first aspect a silo system comprising one or more essentially rectangular silo cells, each silo cell comprising an inlet part at the upper end, an intermediate body part, a hopper part and an outlet at the lower end, wherein said hopper part comprises a transition funnel restricting the passage from an initial rectangular cross section in the body part to an intermediate rounded rectangular cross section in the transition funnel to a final cross section at the outlet.

Preferred embodiments of the device are shown in any of the claims 2 to 11.

This offers the advantage that the material stored in the silo experiences a uniform shear along the periphery of the outlet opening. Consequently, no material is left behind, for example in the corners of the cell, as a result of which decay or rotting of organic or biological material could come about.

In a second aspect, the invention provides a method for constructing a silo system according to the first aspect of the invention, comprising the steps of (i) the vertical construction of one or more cells having an angular cross-section; (ii) the positioning of one or more outlet openings underneath the afore-mentioned cells; and (iii) the connection of the walls of said cells to the corresponding outlet openings by means of a transition hopper, wherein said hopper part comprises a transition funnel restricting the passage from an initial rectangular cross section in the body part to an intermediate rounded rectangular cross section in the transition funnel to a final cross section at the outlet. In a third aspect, the invention provides the use of a silo according to the first aspect of the invention for the storage of bulk and/or dump materials, such as, preferably granular solid material, and more preferably fine-particle material.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

The following description of the figures of specific embodiments of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present teachings, their application or uses. Throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features. The figures serve the purpose of further illustrating the invention, without thereby limiting the scope of the invention. With as a goal illustrating better the properties of the invention the following presents, as an example and limiting in no way other potential applications, a description of a number of preferred applications of the method for examining the invention.

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a silo 1 with a cell 2 having a rectangular cross-section and a rounded outlet opening 5, connected by means of a transition funnel 4.

Figure 1 shows a cell 2 comprises an inlet part 11 at the upper end, an intermediate body part 12, a hopper part 13 and an outlet 3 at the lower end. Figure la shows a top view of a horizontal cross-section. Figure lb shows in perspective view a schematic representation of a vertical cross-section of such a silo 1. The transition funnel 4 comprises a curved plate 4a and a flat plate 4b. At the bottom, the outlet is provided with a circular opening 5. Figure lc shows a side view of a vertical crosssection of the long side of the cell 2 with a detail drawing of the transition of the cell 2 to the outlet opening 5. Figure Id shows a side view of a vertical cross-section of the short side of the cell 2 with a detail drawing of the transition of the cell 2 to the outlet opening 5.

Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a silo 1 with a cell 2 having a rectangular cross-section and a rectangular outlet opening 5, connected by means of a transition funnel 4.

Figure 2 shows a silo with a cell 2, comprises an inlet part 11 at the upper end, an intermediate body part 12, a hopper part 13 and an outlet 3 at the lower end. Figure 2a shows a top view of a horizontal cross-section. Figure 2b shows in perspective view a schematic representation of a vertical cross-section of such a silo 1. The transition funnel 4 comprises a curved plate 4a and a flat plate 4b. At the bottom, the outlet is provided with a rectangular opening 5. Figure 2c shows a side view of a vertical cross-section of the long side of the cell 2 with a detail drawing of the transition of the cell 2 to the outlet opening 5. Figure 2d shows a side view of a vertical cross-section of the short side of the cell 2 with a detail drawing of the transition of the cell 2 to the outlet opening 5.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of silo 1 with a cell 2, a hopper 13 and an outlet 3.

Figure 3 shows a more detailed representation of multiple silo's 1 with multiple cells 2. The hopper part 13 of each cell 2 comprises a transition funnel 4 restricting the passage from an initial rectangular cross section in the body part 12 to an intermediate rounded rectangular cross section in the transition funnel 4 to a final cross section at the outlet 3. It shows that the length of a cell 2 is longer than the width of a cell 2. The transition funnel 4 comprises four curved plates 4a and two flat plates 4b. The transition funnel is welded directly onto the hopper flange 14. In the vertical direction, also referred to as longitudinal direction, of cell 2, the angle can be further covered by a longitudinal angle plate 7. A flat connection plate 8 is provided between the hopper 13 and the outlet 3 and comprises partial flat connection plates that are bolted together on site. At the bottom of the outlet 3 can connect to a flat outlet plate 9.

Figure 4 is a schematic representation of an exploded perspective view of a cell 2 of a silo 1.

Figure 4 shows an internal perspective view of a corner cross-section of a cell 2 of a silo 1 with circular outlet opening 5, only two walls of the cell 2 are shown. A part of the transition funnel 4 is shown in the corner by two partially shown curved plates 4a. This transition funnel 4 form a connection between the walls of the cell 2 and cover the 'dead' volume 6 behind the transition funnel 4. In the vertical direction, also referred to as longitudinal direction, of cell 2, the angle can be further covered by a longitudinal angle plate 7 which represents a mainly rectangular plate which is curved in the longitudinal direction. Accordingly, the longitudinal angle plate 7 is provided in a concavely rounded embodiment in order to connect to the transition funnel 4. The longitudinal angle plates 7 ensure just like the transition plates 4 for a better outflow of stored material, e.g. flour, because there are fewer irregularities in the corners of the wall. With irregularities, there is a threat of accumulation of material, such as e.g. flour, and therefore also decay. Figure 4a shows an outlet 3 that comprises a cone with circular cross-section, open base and top. Figure 4b shows an outlet 3 that comprises an oval shaped cross-section, open base and top. As shown in the figures, the top has a wider cross-section compared to the base. At the bottom of the outlet 3, the periphery can connect to a flat outlet plate 9. Along the periphery of the open top, the cone connects to a rectangular flat connection plate 8. The curved plates 4a are provided in the respective corners of the cell 2 and form a contact line lOa-b and lOb-c between the walls of the cell 2 and the curved plates 4. The contact lines show that the contact lines on each wall do not necessarily have the same geometry.

Figure 5 is a schematic representation of a sectional view of a silo 1 and show a magnified view of the dead volume.

Figure 5 shows a vertical cross-section of such a silo 1 in which the 'dead' volume 6 is magnified. The detail cut-out shows the transition funnel in further detail. Enclosed between the walls of the cell, the outlet 3 and the transition funnel 4 is the 'dead' volume 6, where the bulk or dump material would accumulate and remain in absence of the transition funnel 4. The angle a shows the angle between de transition funnel 4 and the wall of the cell 15.

Figure 6 is a schematic representation of a top view of a silo 1 with a plurality of cells 2 arranged in rows (A, B, C) and columns (I, II, III, IV).

Figure 6 shows a silo 1 with multiple cells 2 arranged in rows (A, B, C) and columns (I, II, III, IV). The figure is a schematic top view of a cross-section of a silo 1 with multiple cells and shows that multiple configurations are possible. For example, a configuration is shown in Figure 6, wherein nine cells with similar geometry are shown, one cell (cell B-IV) which itself is divided into four cells with a circular outlet part 3, one cell (cell C-IV) which itself is divided into two cells with a more oval outlet part 3 and one non-fil led cell (cell A-IV). The cells can further be provided with similar or different heights.

The present invention is in no way limited to the embodiments shown in the figures. On the contrary, methods according to the present invention may be realized in many different ways without departing from the scope of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Unless defined otherwise, all terms used in the description of the invention, including technical and scientific terms, have the meaning as they are commonly understood by the skilled person in the technical field of the invention. For a better assessment of the description of the invention, the following terms are explained explicitly.

"A", "an", and "the" as used herein refers to both singular and plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. By way of example, "a compartment" refers to one or more than one compartment.

"Comprise", "comprising", and "comprises" and "comprised of" as used herein are synonymous with "include", "including", "includes" or "contain", "containing", "contains" and are inclusive or open-ended terms that specifies the presence of what follows e.g. component and do not exclude or preclude the presence of additional, non-recited components, features, element, members, steps, known in the art or disclosed therein.

Whereas the terms "one or more" or "at least one", such as one or more or at least one member(s) of a group of members, is clear per se, by means of further exemplification, the term encompasses inter alia a reference to any one of said members, or to any two or more of said members, such as, e.g., any >3, >4, >5, >6 or >7 etc. of said members, and up to all said members.

The term "silo" refers to a storage volume comprising one or more silo blocks, each silo block comprising one or more cells or silo cells, each cell suitable for the storage of a dump or bulk material. Such cells are generally arranged vertically, whereby each cell is provided with at least one outlet opening. In a broad sense, the term "silo" should be understood in the context of the present invention as a silo complex comprising a plurality of cells and/or a plurality of outlet openings.

The term "cell", in the context of the present invention, should be understood as a synonym for the terms "silo cell", "container", "tank", "reservoir", "barrel", "repository", "holder", "cistern", and refers to a volume formed by one or more walls for the storage of bulk or dump material. At the upper side, said cell may be sealed by means of a covering or roof; at the bottom side, said cell is partly or completely open, and merges into one or more outlet openings.

The term "outlet opening" is to be understood as a synonym for the terms "opening", "outlet", "orifice", "mouth", "aperture", and is to be understood as an opening along which the bulk or dump material can leave the silo to thus be transferred on a conveyor belt or in a loading wagon for transport.

The term "transition plate" is to be understood as a synonym for the terms "intermediate plate", "intermediate element" or "transition element", and indicates a plate which is located between the inner walls of the cell and the outlet opening, and which is connected at least partially and preferably completely to the inner walls of the cell and the outlet opening. Said transition plate may be completely or partially curved, and may be formed by one or more segments, which may be referred to as "partial plates" or "angle plates".

The term "partial plate" is to be understood as "segment" or "transition segment" and indicates a plate which in appropriate combination with the corresponding partial plate or partial plates, forms one whole corresponding to said intermediate plate or transition plate.

The term "mainly triangular" is to be understood as a triangular element in which the two base angles are cut off in such a way so that the obtained partial plates can connect along a common vertical cut. Optionally, the apex angle can be cut off as well. It is further indicated that the width of the cut-off of base angles is less than 10% of the total length of the base side of the triangle, and preferably less than 5%. The width of the cut-off of the apex angle is preferably less than 5% of the total length of the base side of the triangular element.

The term "shaft" is to be understood as a vertical open connection element. It has four sides and an open base and top. It can have a truncated cone shape or the form of an upright beam.

In a first aspect, the invention provides a silo system comprising one or more essentially rectangular silo cells, each silo cell comprising an inlet part at the upper end, an intermediate body part, a hopper part and an outlet at the lower end, wherein said hopper part comprises a transition funnel restricting the passage from an initial rectangular cross section in the body part to an intermediate rounded rectangular cross section in the transition funnel to a final cross section at the outlet.

This offers the advantage that the material stored in the silo experiences a uniform shear along the periphery of the outlet opening. As a result, no material is left behind, for example in the corners of the cell, as a result of which decay or rotting of organic or biological material could come about. Such degeneration is to be prevented in order to guarantee the quality of the stored material.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a silo system according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein said one or more cells have a rectangular cross-section. The rectangular cube has a length of the silo at least 1/2 greater than a width of the silo, preferably where the length is at least 1/6 greater than the width and most preferably where the length is at least 1/18 greater than the width. Said cell comprises wall panel and are flat at the top and bottom side, so that these connect with a wall panel lying underneath or above. The ends of the wall panels are preferably provided with connection elements for connecting the wall panels to adjacent wall panels in a corner and/or in line with each other.

This offers a first advantage that these silos have more storage capacity compared to a round silo on the same ground surface. This saves valuable space, because the surface area is fully utilized.

This offers a second advantage that these silos can easily be built by means of the connecting of the corresponding ends of the wall panels, which ends are provided with suitable connection elements for the connection of two or more wall panels to one another, so that the walls of the cell are formed. Moreover, cells with a rectangular cross-section offer the advantage that multiple silo cells optimally fit to one another in a silo complex. Thus, the volume for storage of bulk or dump material is used optimally.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a silo system according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein said transition funnel consist out a set of alternated flat and curved interconnected plates. This set comprises at least two flat plates and four curved plates. The curved plates comprises pairs with minimum one interconnecting flat plate and forms the rounded rectangular cross section of the transition funnel.

This offers the advantage that the partial plates can easily be manufactured with known design techniques; that said partial plates can easily be transported; and that said partial plates can easily be assembled and attached to the silo.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a silo system according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein said curved plates covering corresponding four base angles of said cell and are obtained by a central point bend of a substantially triangular plate to the desired curvature, corresponding a desired angle a between a wall of the cell and said transition funnel.

In the context of the present invention, it is assumed that the skilled person is familiar with design techniques relating to the bending of plates, such as, for example, metallic plates and more preferably steel plates. Thus, the skilled person can, by means of calculation methods known in the prior art, calculate the necessary bending angles for obtaining a partial plate with the desired angle a. In this way, there is an angle of inclination a between the curved transition plates and the vertical wall. Because of the angle of inclination a, a better outflow is ensured.

This offers the advantage that said partial plates can easily be mounted in said silo at the level of the transition from the cell to the outlet opening. In addition, such curved partial plates can be transported more easily to the location of the silo to be constructed and can also be produced more easily by means of bending a substantially triangular plate over an inflection point.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a silo system according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein said flat plates, have a preferably rectangular shape. The flat plates are interconnecting plates between the curved plates and cover the longest side of the rectangular cell and are provided in the same angle a between the wall of the cell and said transition funnel.

This offers the advantage that a rounded rectangular shape is obtained. The rounded rectangular shape ensures an optimum mass flow so that no product sticks to the edges of the silo system.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a silo system according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein said transition funnel is attached to the inner walls of said one or more cells by means of a weld seam. Even more preferably, said welds are flattened, and even more preferably polished, at the inner wall of the container in order to thus not cause any irregularities on the inner surface of the container wall. Such irregularities possibly cause an accumulation of stored material and thus cause a hampered outflow of stored material. Such blockage or accumulation could therefore lead to fungi formation or decay.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a silo system according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein said transition funnel is comprised of two or multiple partial plates which are, when arranged adjacent next to each other, connectable to the inner walls of said cells at the upper edge and are connectable to the edge of the hopper, preferably the flange of the hopper at the bottom edge.

This offers the advantage that this arrangement will ensure, that there is little to no significant forces on the bolts of the flange, the flange will not deform, and no product can get between the flanges.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a silo system according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein said outlet opening is completely situated within the periphery of the cell walls. As a result, the outlet opening can be completely suspended within the container volume and attached along the entire periphery of the outlet opening, preferably by means of welding seams, to the inner walls of the container volume via the transition plates. This offers the advantage that no additional reinforcements or supports are required, making the construction simpler.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a silo system according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein one or more outlet openings are shaped like a shaft. The shaft has an open base and top and wherein a size of said top is greater than the size of said base, with the final cross section at the base of the outlet.

This offers the advantage that a shaft-shaped element is provided for optimizing the outflow of the bulk or dump material. In a more specific embodiment, said base surface is provided in a funnel-shaped element or an angular-shaped element, e.g. rectangular or square, or in a non-angular, e.g. oval, shape. Connected to the periphery of said base, along at least a part of the periphery, an additional cover may further be provided which may differ in diameter from the diameter of said base, and wherein said diameter may be larger than the diameter of said base. In this specific context, the term "diameter" should be understood as the distance between two points located farthest from one another along a periphery, be it an angular or a non-angular periphery.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a silo system according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein a flat connection plate is provided between the outlet opening and the transition hopper. The flat connection plate is preferably rectangular shaped and comprises at least two, preferable four, in particular eight partial plates. The partial plates of the flat connection plate are bolted together on site, this will ensure quick and easy assembly, as well as an easier transportation.

In a second aspect, the invention provides a method for the construction of a silo system according to the first aspect of the invention, comprising the steps of (i) the vertical construction of one or more cells having an angular cross-section; (ii) the positioning of one or more outlet openings underneath the afore-mentioned cells; and (iii) the connection of the walls of said cells to the corresponding outlet openings by means of a transition hopper, wherein said hopper part comprises a transition funnel restricting the passage from an initial rectangular cross section in the body part to an intermediate rounded rectangular cross section in the transition funnel to a final cross section at the outlet.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a method according to the second aspect of the invention, wherein said transition funnel comprises flat and curved partial plates and are arranged adjacent next to one another, in adjacent connection with the inner walls of said cell, and subsequently are connected to the inner walls of said cell by means of a weld seam.

In a third aspect, the invention provides the use of a silo according to the first aspect of the invention for the storage of bulk and/or dump materials, such as, preferably granular solid material, and more preferably fine-particle material. More preferably, the invention provides the use of a silo according to the first aspect of the invention for the storage of perishable materials, and even more preferably fine-grained, perishable materials. Non-limiting examples of such materials are plastic pellets and materials from biological origin, such as, for example, wood pellets, food products, flour, etc.

This has the advantage that the materials can be stored and dispensed, without material remaining thereby in the dead volumes of the cell with the outflow of material from the cell. Such a stoppage might lead to decay and/or fungi formation of the stored material.

Claims

1. Silo system (1) comprising one or more essentially rectangular silo cells (2), each silo cell (2) comprising an inlet part (11) at the upper end, an intermediate body part (12), a hopper part (13) and an outlet (3) at the lower end, wherein said hopper part (13) comprises a transition funnel (4) restricting the passage from an initial rectangular cross section in the body part (12) to an intermediate rounded rectangular cross section in the transition funnel (4) to a final cross section at the outlet (3).

2. Silo system (1) according to claim 1, wherein said one or more cells (2) have a rectangular cross-section, where a length is at least 1/2 greater than a width, preferably where the length is at least 1/6 greater than the width and most preferably where the length is at least 1/18 greater than the width.

3. Silo system (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 2, wherein said transition funnel (4) consist out a set of alternated flat (4b) and curved (4a) interconnected plates.

4. Silo system (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said set comprises at least two flat plates (4b) and four curved plates (4a), wherein said curved plates (4a) comprises pairs with minimum one interconnecting flat plate (4b) and forms the rounded rectangular cross section of the transition funnel (4).

5. Silo system (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said curved plates (4a) covering corresponding four base angles of said cell and are obtained by a central point bend of a substantially triangular plate to the desired curvature, corresponding a desired angle a between a wall of the cell and said transition funnel (4).

6. Silo system (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said flat plates (4b), have a preferably rectangular shape, are interconnecting plates between the curved plates (4a), cover a longest side of the rectangular cell (2) and are provided in the same angle a between the wall (15) of the cell and said transition funnel (4).

7. Silo system (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said transition funnel (4) is attached to corresponding inner walls (15) of said one or more cells by means of a weld seam. Silo system (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the said transition funnel (4) is connected to an edge of said hopper, preferably connected to a flange (14) of said hopper, by means of a weld seam. Silo system (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 8, one or more outlets (3), shaped like a shaft, with open base and top and wherein a size of said top is greater than the size of said base, with the final cross section at the base of the outlet. Silo system (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a flat connection plate (8) is provided between the outlet (3) and the hopper (13). Silo system (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the flat connection plate (8) is preferably rectangular shaped and comprises at least two, preferable four, in particular eight partial plates. Method for the construction of a silo system (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 11, comprising the steps of (i) the vertical construction of one or more cells (2) having an angular cross-section; (ii) the positioning of one or more outlets (3) underneath the afore-mentioned cells; and (iii) the connection of the walls (15) of said cells to the corresponding outlets (3) by means of a transition hopper (13), characterized in that said hopper part (13) comprises a transition funnel (4) restricting the passage from an initial rectangular cross section in the body part (12) to an intermediate rounded rectangular cross section in the transition funnel (4) to a final cross section at the outlet (3). Method according to claim 12, wherein said transition funnel (4) comprises flat (4b) and curved (4a) partial plates and are arranged adjacent next to one another, in adjacent connection with the inner walls (15) of said cell, and subsequently are connected to the inner walls (15) of said cell (2) by means of a weld seam. Use of a silo system (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 13, for the storage of bulk and/or dump materials, such as preferably a granular solid material, and more preferably fine-grained material such as flour.