Some Thoughts On:
The National Turkey Federation |
The National Turkey Federation’s Annual Leadership Conference was recently held in July this year. It was an opportunity for those involved in the turkey industry to speak directly to congressmen and senators about the issues affecting the industry. I have taken advantage of this opportunity for a number of years, and I find our representatives in Washington are eager to talk to us and discuss the issues that we bring forward. Attending these meetings enables me to learn more about the process in Washington. The meetings are also educational experiences for the lawmakers, allowing them to learn directly about the issues that their constituents face. It is clear that two-way communication is essential to maintain an effective relationship between government and industry. |
Rich Pongratz (left) visiting with Congressman Scott Perry of Pennsylvania |
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Q: Besides the amount of material that needs to be stored, what other information do you need to come up with a design and eventually a price for a silo?
– H.H. |
A: That is a great question! The silo design is a complex problem involving a number of factors -- including the type of material to be stored, the functionality or operational requirements of the silo, and the geographical location of the structure. |
Here is a list of some of the items that need to be determined for the engineer to design the silo and foundation … and to provide pricing for the silo. |
Material To Be Stored. Silos are designed for a specific material with specific characteristics which impact the general arrangement and structural details of the silo. Some of these characteristics are: |
- Density for volumetric calculations
- Density for structural load calculations
- Angle of repose range
- Coefficient of friction between the material and the silo wall, hopper, etc.
- Moisture content
- Temperature
- Particle size (maximum and minimum)
- Abrasiveness
- Corrosiveness
- Degree of explosibility or Deflagration Index (KST Value)
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If there is not adequate experience in storing and handling a particular material, it would be a very wise investment to have material lab testing done to determine and quantify as many of the characteristics listed above as possible. |
Functionality or Operational Requirements. Understanding the operational requirements is paramount to the design. Considerations include: |
- Required storage capacity
- Long-term storage or frequent cycling
- Concern for product degradation
- Concern for product segregation
- Concentric or eccentric discharge and number of required discharges
- Concern for complete clean-out
- Fill and discharge flow-rate capacities and requirements
- Aeration or fluidization requirements
- General required life of the silo
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Required Openings. Wall and roof penetrations need to be defined and accounted for in the design. These include: |
- Manways
- Level probes
- Temperature probes
- Truck or rail car drive-through doors
- Personnel doors or openings for access
- Fill and discharge points and clearances
- Conveyors
- Explosion relief
- Negative air
- Aeration or fluidization
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Peripheral and Imposed Loads. Internal and external loads due to anticipated equipment and structures must be accounted for in the design. Examples include: |
- Ladder and stair access
- Piping
- Equipment
- Access or support floors
- Conveyance bridge and tower support
- Temperature and level cable support
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Geographical Location. The specific location may affect such design parameters as: |
- Building code requirements
- Zoning requirements or limitations which may require a variance
- Wind load requirements
- Snow load requirements
- Seismic requirements
- Frost requirements
- Available space (i.e. footprint and height) for the silo
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Soil conditions. A soil analysis – inclusive of borings and a geotechnical report – is imperative to finalize the design. The report will typically provide: |
- Allowable soil-bearing capacity
- Elevation of ground water table
- Elevation of boring refusal
- Expected or anticipated total and differential settlement given the anticipated dead and live loads of the silo structure
- Recommendation for ground improvement (i.e. overexcavate and backfill, etc.) if required
- Recommendation of foundation type (i.e. shallow, piling, etc.)
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This information will help the engineer determine the best solution for the foundation design. |
In addition to defining the material to be stored and the operational requirements of the silo, the engineer can work with the owner to define and determine the remainder of the required data. As with any design, the level of success is determined by accurately defining and understanding the design assumptions. |
Tim Lease, P.E., President of WL Port-Land Systems |
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Considering A Renovation? |
Like most businesses, you may not need to construct a new facility but are seeking solutions to make your business run better. You may be considering a renovation to improve utilization of existing assets, lower manufacturing costs, implement a process change, increase capacity, or find an efficient way to adapt to new quality improvement standards. |
No matter the reason, a renovation is a big undertaking and nobody can assist you like WL Port‑Land Systems with its collaborative approach to your project. |
With our expertise spanning the engineering, construction, operations, and maintenance areas, WL Port‑Land Systems rises above the competition. We can help you weather the shutdown and minimize the interruption to your operation through methodical project execution. Rooted in engineering since 1975, WL Port-Land Systems offers a diverse expertise to provide solutions for your design/build engineering and renovation projects. |
E-mail or call us -- at 412-344-1408
We welcome the opportunity to provide these services.
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What do you have to lose? |
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Parkesine is one of the earliest forms of plastic - a moldable cellulose nitrate which was developed and patented in the mid-1850s by Alexander Parkes (1813-1890), an English inventor with at least 66 patents on processes and products in a variety of fields. |
Parkesine was made of cotton fibers dissolved in nitric and sulphuric acids, and mixed with vegetable oil. It was softened by heat and then molded or hand carved. Parkesine’s great disadvantage, however, was its high flammability. |
Although Parkes took out a number of patents for his newly developed material, and founded a company in 1866 to begin commercial production of his new product, the company failed in 1868, and it would be the Hyatt brothers of New Jersey who would make advancements in Parkes’ invention, patented in 1869 as “Celluloid”, and market it with worldwide success. |
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WL Port-Land Systems has completed construction of a new Premix plant for D&D Ingredient Distributors, Inc. in Delphos, Ohio. This new manufacturing plant has ingredient receiving and storage systems, batching and mixing systems, bagging and tote fill systems as well as all the necessary plant support systems. We would like to thank the entire group at D&D for selecting WL Port-Land Systems, Inc. and wish them well in their new mill. |
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See the full archive here. |
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WL Port-Land Systems will participate in these industry events. Click to set up an appointment with a rep. |
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About WL Port-Land Systems, Inc. |
We look forward to hearing from you! |
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