Fiberglass flour storage silo
Our client is a family-owned company founded in 1987, specialising in the creation and production of food additives for the flour industry, particularly for bread and pastry making. Based near Toulouse, the company stands out for its expertise in bread-making technologies and its commitment to the agri-food sector for over three decades.
The customer’s challenge
The company, which specialises in the creation and production of food additives for the flour industry, particularly for bread and pastry making, faced several challenges as it expanded. One of the main objectives was to increase its storage capacity without interrupting production. This increase in capacity had to be achieved while maintaining the existing silo and its transfer system operational, in order to ensure continuity of production throughout the entire project.
The complexity of this task lay in the need to carry out installation work and commission a new silo without disrupting the current production flow. It was important not to compromise the quality and availability of finished products, while ensuring the safety of operations and employees. In addition, the company had to ensure that the new silo integrated seamlessly into the existing system without requiring major modifications that could lead to interruptions or additional costs.
Furthermore, the company had to take into account the spatial and technical constraints of the site. The space available for the installation of the new silo was limited, which required a tailor-made solution capable of adapting to the specificities of the site while optimising the use of space. The solution also had to be flexible and scalable, enabling the company to respond to future increases in demand without having to make significant new investments.
Finally, the company had to ensure that the new silo met the safety and quality standards in force in the agri-food industry. This included compliance with ATEX regulations for the management of explosive dust, as well as ensuring optimal hygiene to preserve the quality of the stored products.
The handling solution provided by Syvrac
To meet our client’s specific needs, Syvrac designed and installed a second 55 m³ composite silo mounted on a self-supporting skirt. This solution was specially developed to optimise the company’s storage capacity while complying with the site’s technical and operational constraints.
Details of the proposed solution
The composite storage silo is made of isophthalic resin, a material that ensures robustness and durability. To reinforce confidence in its products, Syvrac offers certification issued by the Laboratoire National de Métrologie et d’Essais (LNE), guaranteeing that there is no migration of resin into the stored product. This certification is a guarantee of quality and safety, ensuring that stored food additives will not be contaminated by components of the resin.
In this context, we supplied a 55 m³ capacity silo, equipped with a self-supporting skirt. This skirt allows for stable and secure installation without the need for additional structures, thus optimising the use of available space. The silo also has a lockable PVC door measuring 890 x 1900 mm, allowing access to the bottom of the silo to be controlled. This solution helps to prevent unauthorised or malicious intrusions, thus ensuring increased security for the stored products.
A pneumatic transfer network has been installed under the new silo, with an integrated connection to the existing silo. This system enables efficient, automated transfer of flour. With each delivery, the new flour is stored in the new silo. When the low-level sensor installed in the old silo detects a shortage of product, the system automatically triggers the transfer of flour from the new silo to the old one. This transfer is carried out in a single operation and takes 3½ hours to complete, thus ensuring uninterrupted production continuity.
The silo is equipped with an 18 m³ stainless steel filter, with an automatic cleaning system controlled by a PLC. This filter ensures optimal air quality and prevents the risk of contamination. In addition, the silo is equipped with a breakaway panel in case of flour dust explosion, thus ensuring compliance with the ATEX standard and ensuring operational safety. A manhole is located on the roof to allow access for qualified personnel working at height, thus facilitating the annual cleaning of the installation.
To ensure optimum safety, the silo also has a lockable access safety device on the fixed ladder, preventing free access to the ladder and safety cage. This safety measure ensures that only authorised personnel can access the top of the silo, thus minimising the risk of accidents.
The advantages of the Syvrac solution
Composite silos are a storage solution that is particularly well suited to the requirements of the agri-food industry. These silos offer numerous advantages, including exceptional thermal insulation, corrosion resistance, optimal hygiene and great flexibility in terms of customisation. These characteristics make them a serious option for the storage of sensitive products such as flour.
- Thermal insulation
Composite silos offer exceptional thermal insulation, significantly reducing the risk of condensation. This feature is important for preserving the quality of flour, even in difficult storage conditions. Thermal insulation maintains a constant temperature inside the silo, preventing temperature fluctuations that could alter the quality of the stored product. This keeps the flour dry and free from mould. Storage conditions are optimal and product quality remains consistent. - Corrosion resistance
Unlike metal silos, composite silos are corrosion-resistant. This corrosion resistance ensures increased longevity and reduced maintenance requirements, making the silo cost-effective in the long term. The composite materials used in the manufacture of silos do not deteriorate over time, even when exposed to humid or corrosive environments. This minimises maintenance costs and extends the life of the silo, providing a sustainable and cost-effective storage solution. - Optimal hygiene
The smooth, seamless interior walls of composite silos prevent the accumulation of residues. This design greatly facilitates cleaning, meets strict sanitary requirements and maintains the quality of stored products. The absence of joints and rough surfaces eliminates areas where residues could accumulate, reducing the risk of contamination. This ensures hygiene and complies with the most rigorous health standards, which are essential in the food industry. - Customisation
Composite silos can be designed to exact customer specifications in terms of capacity, dimensions and height, offering maximum flexibility to meet specific flour storage needs. Customisation allows silos to be adapted to the space constraints and technical requirements of the site, while optimising the use of available space. For small or large storage capacities, composite silos are adjusted to meet the requirements of each customer. A tailor-made and efficient storage solution.
By choosing a Syvrac composite storage silo, you are opting for a sustainable, secure and certified solution that is ideal for the agri-food, chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Our silos offer exceptional strength and durability, superior thermal insulation and corrosion resistance. The smooth, seamless walls facilitate cleaning and ensure optimal hygiene. Customisable to customer specifications, our silos are certified by the LNE, ensuring no resin migration. They increase storage capacity, guarantee production continuity and maintain high quality standards. With safety features such as rupture panels, stainless steel filters and lockable access systems, our silos are ideal for demanding industries.
Composite silo meeting strict health requirements
Composite silo equipped with a stainless steel filter with cleaning system
Pneumatic transfer system beneath a composite silo
Composite silo with smooth inner walls
Pneumatic transfer network installed
Corrosion-resistant composite silo
