Blending Silos
Blending silos are gravity blenders. Another prevailing term is homogenising silos instead of blending silos. Often the creation of horizontal layers with differing quality can be observed when silos are in batch production. Depending on the product characteristics and flow properties, different blenders are used in order to achieve a higher grade of homogeneity.
Common Types
Blending silo with pipe blender
The pipes, arranged on the outer wall of the blending silo, have different nominal diameters. Because of the specially constructed product inlets, the product is pre-mixed both when it flows in and out of the mixing pipe. The different pipe diameters and lengths create a varying speed and flow profile in the pipes. This results in further product homogenisation.
Blending silo with central pipe blender
The product is concentrically drawn from various levels and fed into the mixing chamber via a central pipe located in the middle of the silo. Due to the specially constructed material intake zones, the product is already pre-mixed when it flows in from the various zones. The resulting crosswise mixing of the product has a significant and therefore reinforcing effect on the efficiency of blending. Furthermore, the product is guided concentrically to the blending pipe. This prevents the development of asymmetrical flow zones to the greatest extent possible.
Blending silo with cone blender
A blender fitting integrated in the silo cone serves to distribute the product evenly. The product is mixed via various flow zones and is guided to the outlet of the blending silo. Due to the conical shape of the blender, the product flows from top to bottom with increasing speed. Due to the different flow speeds, there are varying residence times for the product. This increases the blending effect. The blender is suitable both for the continuous and discontinuous blending of bulk goods. Thus existing silos can be retrofitted quickly and easily.
Blending silo with screw mixer
The intensive mixing takes place in the lower silo part. The product is continuously collected from the cone by a central vertical mixing screw and conveyed upwards through the mixing pipe to the roof of the silo. The blended material is picked up by an ejector which distributes it in fine layers over the container's entire width. The silo can be filled or discharged at any time irrespective of the blending process. The mixing screw is powered by a gear motor which is located in the middle of the silo roof.
Applications
Generally spoken blending silos are suitable for all free flowing and powdery bulk goods as well as granules.
Advantages of our blending silos
To cover a wide range of bulk goods, our blending silos are available as aluminium and stainless steel models. In order to ensure a quick and economic mixing of bulk goods, we compare the required mixing level (homogeneity) and the required amount of time. We determine the most economic blending silo solution for you by choosing the right operating mode (continous or discontinous) and examining the product's properties by running a bulk material analysis.