Case Study: Φ1000mm Stainless Steel Silo Bottom Discharge with Integrated Sugar Lump Breaker
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The Challenge: Preventing Blockages in High-Pressure Pneumatic Conveying
A large-scale bakery mix facility faced frequent downtime due to sugar agglomeration within their storage silos. When sugar “cakes” or forms hard lumps at the silo outlet, these clusters enter the downstream D70mm pneumatic conveying pipes, causing catastrophic blockages in the pressure vessels and transport lines. The plant required a heavy-duty extraction solution that could guarantee a free-flowing, lump-free supply of sugar to the production floor.
A large-scale bakery mix facility faced frequent downtime due to sugar agglomeration within their storage silos. When sugar “cakes” or forms hard lumps at the silo outlet, these clusters enter the downstream D70mm pneumatic conveying pipes, causing catastrophic blockages in the pressure vessels and transport lines. The plant required a heavy-duty extraction solution that could guarantee a free-flowing, lump-free supply of sugar to the production floor.
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The Solution: Integrated Extraction & De-lumping System
We engineered a bespoke Φ1000mm Stainless Steel Silo Bottom Cone Discharge specifically designed to act as a “gatekeeper” for pneumatic systems:
We engineered a bespoke Φ1000mm Stainless Steel Silo Bottom Cone Discharge specifically designed to act as a “gatekeeper” for pneumatic systems:
- Large-Diameter Extraction: The Φ1000mm cone geometry ensures a wide flow path, promoting mass-flow and preventing the “bridging” or “rat-holing” common with hygroscopic materials like sugar.
- Integrated High-Torque Lump Breaker: Positioned directly at the throat of the cone, the integrated crusher shears through any sugar agglomerates before they exit the silo. This ensures that only fine, individual crystals enter the conveying system.
- Pneumatic Line Protection: By reducing all lumps to a size significantly smaller than the D70mm pipe diameter, the system ensures 100% reliability for the pneumatic pressure vessels, eliminating the risk of pipe-plugging and pressure spikes.
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The Result: Seamless, Clog-Free Sugar Transport
The installation of the integrated lump breaker transformed the facility’s sugar handling. By “pre-conditioning” the material at the silo outlet, the plant achieved a continuous, automated feed to their mixers, significantly reducing maintenance costs and ensuring the pneumatic conveying lines remain clear and efficient.
The installation of the integrated lump breaker transformed the facility’s sugar handling. By “pre-conditioning” the material at the silo outlet, the plant achieved a continuous, automated feed to their mixers, significantly reducing maintenance costs and ensuring the pneumatic conveying lines remain clear and efficient.
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Silo Bottom Discharge – Technical Specifications Table
| Specification | Technical Details |
|---|---|
| System Type | Silo Bottom Cone Extractor & Lump Breaker |
| Inlet Diameter | Φ1,000 mm |
| Protection Target | D70 mm Pneumatic Conveying Pipes |
| Material Handled | Granulated Sugar / Sugar Agglomerates |
| Construction | 304/316 Stainless Steel (Food Grade) |
| Process Integration | Silo Outlet to Pressure Vessel Feed |
| Industry | Industrial Bakery & Confectionery Mixes |
| Key Advantage | Eliminates pipe-plugging by de-lumping at the source |