Steel silos and hoppers are both storage containers used in various industries, but with a key difference in their shape and discharge functionality:
Steel Silos:
Function: Designed for the large-scale storage of bulk solids like grain, cement, sand, or pellets.
Discharge:
Flat bottom silos: Relied upon auxiliary equipment (like screw conveyors) to move material out of the silo.
Conical bottom silos (also called hopper silos): Utilize gravity to discharge material through the cone-shaped bottom
Steel Hoppers:
Function: Primarily intended for the controlled discharge of bulk solids from silos or other storage containers. The conical shape promotes efficient material flow through gravity.
Discharge: Relies solely on gravity to facilitate a steady flow of material out of the hopper.
Together:
Steel silos and hoppers are often used in conjunction with each other. The silo serves as the main storage unit, while the hopper acts as a funnel or chute to facilitate material discharge at the bottom. This combination allows for efficient storage and controlled release of bulk solids