Anti-Honking Silos

The phenomenon of honking silos has driven quite a few plant operators to despair. Silo plants which are located close to habitants or in an industrial area with strict environmental and noise protection regulations and which are not equipped with an anti-honking system might be shut down by the authorities.

Honking of silos is a phenomenon which depends on the bulk solids and not on the silo. This means: depending on the flow characteristics of the bulk solids and the corresponding wall friction angle, vibrations or even honking may develop. In general, bulk solids which generate dynamic loads during discharge from the silo may lead to development of noise. And the bigger the silo and, thus, the higher the loads – the higher the risk of honking.

Patented solutions by the silo specialist:

For anti-honking systems a general distinction must be made between silos for the storage of powders and those for the storage of pellets as well as between new silos and those which need to be retrofitted. Zeppelin being the specialist when it comes to silos provides solutions for all requirements which are both: economic and corresponding to the requirements of chemical engineering.

Certainly, it is most economic to prevent the problem before it develops. Therefore, Zeppelin has developed a patented system especially for new silos which are designed for the storage of problematic bulk solids.

Wall plates with structure:

For new silos the cylindrical silo shell is partly manufactured from checkered plate or structured plate to avoid honking. The checkered surface showing to the interior of the silo alters the flow characteristics of the bulk solids during discharge – a so-called shear zone will develop near the silo wall. For retrofitting existing silos, plates will be mounted internally to the silo wall, which also results in the formation of a shear zone. This solution is appropriate for free-flowing pellets as well as for powders.

Zeppelin Anti-Honking Silos