The main purpose of silo cleaning is to remove blockages or material accumulation in vessels:
There are a wide range of silo types that can be cleaned. When you work with Chicagoland Silo Cleaning Solutions, no task is too big or too small for our skilled technicians to handle. Here are some of the main silo types we deal with, but this list is not exhaustive:
Here are some of the vessel types our team is used to dealing with on a daily basis:
A bin whip is used to mechanically remove adhered materials on vessel walls.
The Whip Head is a heavy-duty, remotely-controlled, compressed-air-driven (plant air between 85 and 100 PSI) reversing engine equipped with specially-designed flails, mounted on a modular, articulated boom. It can remove stubborn materials without damaging a vessel's walls, bottom, or lining.
The Whip Head can be lowered through the vessel's inspection hatch or topside access port and positioned precisely according to the flow obstruction type. Our skilled team is trained to control the Whip Head from outside the vessel. They can adjust the speed, degree of movement, and draw rate as needed.
The agglomerated (dry or wet) material falls as it is undercut. The process is repeated until the vessel empties or meets all requirements.
Easy-to-assemble HD Bin Whip components are lightweight and compact, making it easy to transport, set up, and operate by one person. The HD Bin Whip is suitable for explosive environments. It can clean up to 30' from each 18" opening on the topside to a maximum depth of 225 feet.
The purpose of this component is to fluidize materials stuck to surfaces. This is accomplished using a combination of sound waves with high-energy and low frequency.
Driven by compressed air (plant air: between 85 and 100 PSI), Sonic Horn produces low-frequency sound waves with high energy. Sound waves are created by compressed air flexing the titanium diaphragm of the Horn's sound generator.
They are then magnified and emitted from the Horn's Bell in a 360deg radial pattern. They travel at speeds of >1100ft/sec. The Sonic Horn can be mounted or suspended at strategic points in the vessel, while air pressure and volume are controlled remotely from the outside.
From there, the sound waves are alternated 60-420 times a second to produce fundamental frequencies. These frequencies cause the dry deposits to resonate and then become fluidized. Gravity causes the material, once fluidized, to flow freely toward the discharge. Sonic Horns do not damage vessels or structures because they operate at higher frequencies than steel, ceramic linings, and concrete. Sonic Horns are suitable for explosive environments and have been used to clean vessels, heat exchangers, and air preheaters.
The bin drill is utilized to bore a channel, allowing fluids to flow through clogs.
The HD Bin Drill, Sonic Horn, or both, can be used to remove bulk materials from a vessel. Using multiple lengths of bolt-connected drill shafts, application-specific graduated drill bits are quickly and efficiently fed in until the obstruction is removed.
The Bin Drill components are made of lightweight, compact materials that are spark-proof. They are easy to transport, set up, and operate by one person. The portable controls on the highly efficient power unit allow our technicians to precisely control the drilling. Bin Drills have been used on vessels as deep as 200 feet in explosive environments.
The Chunkbuster Cartridge is used to dislodge the solid rock. This is done using a controlled CO2 gas discharge.
The CARDOX system is a specially designed, high-strength steel tube that contains liquid CO2, which is also used in fire extinguishers. The tube converts liquid into expanding gas when remotely activated, creating an instantaneous push force.
The vessel is fitted with one or more tubes with discharge nozzles at specific locations, while the tube is filled with liquid CO2, containing a ruptured disc and chemical heater that can be replaced.
With the help of a small electric charge, the liquid carbon dioxide turns into gas, expanding by 600%. The disc is popped by pressure, which releases a massive amount of CO2 gas. This creates a force of up to 40,000 PSI at the discharge nozzle. It can quickly remove even the most solid blockages. CARDOX Tubes are reusable by replacing the disc and heater and refilling the CO2, and the system is a certified explosive-free device.
Here are some of the unique advantages you can enjoy when you work with the top silo-cleaning company in Chicago:
Chicagoland Silo Cleaning Solutions offers professional cleaning services for silos and bins, as well as bulk storage removal/cleanout and industrial coating. We have been serving the industry for several decades, so you can trust your project is in experienced hands.
Regardless of the silo type you need or the material that is stored in it, our specialists will get the job done efficiently. Our crew members are also trained to respond to emergency silo situations quickly, so we won’t leave you hanging when you need us most.
We have performed silo cleaning services for all silos and materials, and believe it’s a necessary cost for industrial businesses. Our goal is to eliminate emergency plant shutdowns related to blockages, offering a comprehensive range of services for all types and sizes of silos. Our work includes cement build-up in silos walls, slag wall build-up, hardened concrete in silos, cement storage, fly ash, air pads, vacuum truck service, and more.
Silo cleaning can be a cost-saving measure that helps remove build-up, recover lost materials and maximize production and profit. Silos that are clogged, stuck, or run slowly can be a major cause of decreased revenue for your business.