Development of a 350kg Double-Walled Insulated Metallic Silo for Tropical Climate

Abstract

In the warm and humid climate prevalent in Nigeria, metal silos which are predominantly used for grain storage in strategic grain reserves experience moisture condensation and high temperature fluctuations, resulting in grain deterioration. There is therefore the need to source for construction materials that will eliminate moisture condensation, reduce temperature fluctuations, cheap and readily available for use in construction. A 350 kg double-walled insulated metallic silo was designed and the prototype was constructed with galvanized iron sheet, using wood shavings as an insulating material between the walls. The silo has a total height of 2.70 m above the ground level with an internal and external diameter of 0.80 m and 0.90 m respectively. The silo consists of four major sections, viz-the roof, cylindrical section, conical hopper and foundation. A pre-storage evaluation of the double-walled metallic silo demonstrated some prospects for use in grain storage, especially in unloading the stored grains and reduction in temperature within the silo.