Grain bins for brewery setup
- Sep 04, 2021
- 63
- tiantai
Silos allow significant savings on grain and typically generate positive ROI for breweries at about 2000 BBLs annual production. This is because, aside from the significant savings of being able to buy grain in bulk, silos present a few other benefits. They allow grain/malt to be stored for longer, the automated systems save a lot of money via man-power, and although silos can be placed inside when needed, they typically free up a lot of floorspace by taking the storage outside.
Corrugated-Wall Silos
Corrugated silos can be used when they will be sheltered from the elements and when budgets are extremely tight (as they are bolted together onsite). But because of the nature of their materials and design, they should only be used in a pinch. This is because corrugated silos are meant to be mechanically filled, not pumped into by a grain truck. The fluctuating pressure from pneumatics (not to mention the expanding and contracting caused by temperature variations) cause bolts to come out and leaks to form. Corrugated-wall silos also tend to let more moisture in overall, lose the inner galvanization to attrition, and get grain stuck in nooks and crannies.
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Smooth-Wall Silos
Articles abound on the difference between bolt-together smooth and corrugated wall silos, but the nature of bolt-together is the problem. The main benefit of smooth-walled silos is they can come manufactured in a single piece. Single-piece, smooth-walled silos are the best solution for brewers, hands-down. Grain doesn’t get stuck, there’s more protection from moisture, and, because no screws are involved, a number of other options are available such as vibratory flow-assists for applications where the outlet slope must be under 30°.
Corrugated-Wall Silos
Corrugated silos can be used when they will be sheltered from the elements and when budgets are extremely tight (as they are bolted together onsite). But because of the nature of their materials and design, they should only be used in a pinch. This is because corrugated silos are meant to be mechanically filled, not pumped into by a grain truck. The fluctuating pressure from pneumatics (not to mention the expanding and contracting caused by temperature variations) cause bolts to come out and leaks to form. Corrugated-wall silos also tend to let more moisture in overall, lose the inner galvanization to attrition, and get grain stuck in nooks and crannies.
Smooth-Wall Silos
Articles abound on the difference between bolt-together smooth and corrugated wall silos, but the nature of bolt-together is the problem. The main benefit of smooth-walled silos is they can come manufactured in a single piece. Single-piece, smooth-walled silos are the best solution for brewers, hands-down. Grain doesn’t get stuck, there’s more protection from moisture, and, because no screws are involved, a number of other options are available such as vibratory flow-assists for applications where the outlet slope must be under 30°.
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