Storage & Discharge

Reliable storage and discharge are essential for maintaining a consistent flow of powders and bulk solids throughout a processing system. Storage equipment must be designed around the material properties, required capacity and process conditions, while the discharge system must ensure that material leaves the silo or container in a controlled and reliable way.

Hosokawa offers complete storage and discharge solutions for a wide range of bulk materials. Depending on the application, these can include silos and storage vessels, filling and monitoring equipment, discharge aids, valves and conveying connections.

Bulk solids may need to be stored as raw materials, intermediate products or finished products. The design of the storage system therefore depends not only on the required volume, but also on how the material behaves during filling, storage and discharge.

Important considerations include flow behaviour, segregation, particle degradation, consolidation and bridging. The silo geometry, construction material and associated equipment are selected to suit the product, process and operating environment.

Storage solutions

• Steel silos – For a broad range of industrial bulk materials.
• Stainless steel silos – For applications with higher hygiene or corrosion-resistance requirements.
• Aluminium silos – Lightweight storage solutions for suitable bulk materials and applications.
• GRP and plastic silos – For applications requiring non-metallic construction.
• Flexible silos – For compact and adaptable bulk material storage.
• Silo equipment – Including filling devices, filters, level monitoring, weighing systems, safety equipment and conveying connections.

Many powders and bulk solids do not flow freely from silos, hoppers or containers. Depending on the material properties and storage conditions, problems such as bridging, consolidation or irregular flow can occur.

Discharge equipment supports reliable material flow by applying vibration, aeration, fluidisation or mechanical agitation. The appropriate solution depends on the material characteristics, operating conditions and required discharge behaviour.

Discharge solutions

• Vibratory dischargers – For reliable and controlled discharge from silos and containers.
• Vibrating cones – To promote material flow and support consistent downstream dosing.
• Aeration bottoms – For gentle discharge and fluidisation of suitable powders.
• Aeration panels and pads – For targeted aeration in selected areas of the silo or hopper.
• Mechanical agitators – For materials requiring mechanical assistance to maintain flow and homogeneity.