Mobile & Horizontal Cement Silo

Shanghe Cement Silo

Cement silos are crucial to construction projects by enabling the bulk storage of cement directly on-site. This eliminates reliance on frequent deliveries, saving high costs and streamlining operations for greater efficiency.

Mobile horizontal cement silos provide a flexible, on-demand storage solution for cement and other bulk materials on dynamic construction sites. Designed for mobility, they are ideal for projects requiring frequent relocation or where height limitations exist. Their key advantage is rapid deployment: they can be transported, positioned, and operational quickly, eliminating the need for permanent foundations or large cranes.

We provide a comprehensive range of high-quality silos, available in vertical and horizontal designs with capacities from 50 to 1000 tons. They are engineered for reliable storage of cement, fly ash, lime, and other powdered materials. Our silos ensure material protection and feature easy, rapid setup with minimal foundation requirements. Designed for mobility and integration, options include weighing systems, screw conveyors, and compatibility with various batching plants.

Beyond concrete production, these silos are perfect for independent use in terminals, factories, and stockpiling projects. We offer tailored solutions and expert guidance to meet your specific operational needs.

Cement Silo Types

Cement silos are classified by their design, construction, and mobility to suit different project needs.

By Structure:
Vertical silos are tall, cylindrical units ideal for permanent, high-capacity storage with a small footprint.
Horizontal silos offer a low-profile design, making them easier to transport and suitable for sites with height limits or temporary setups.

By Construction:
Bolted silos are modular for easy shipping and on-site assembly.
Welded silos arrive as a single, pre-assembled unit for simpler installation.
Spiral silos are formed from a folded steel strip for excellent strength and sealing.

Bolted Cement Silo

Horizontal Cement Silo

By Mobility:
Stationary silos are fixed foundations for long-term, high-volume plants.
Portable silos, including telescopic and tip-up models, are designed for easy transport and rapid deployment across multiple sites.

By Discharge System:
Common bottom types include cone-bottom for gravity flow and flat-bottom designs that use mechanical augers. Split silos feature internal compartments to store different materials simultaneously.

Mobile Horizontal Cement Silo

Horizontal Low Level Cement Silo

Cement Silo Comparison

Advantages

1. Unmatched Mobility & Simplified Installation
Engineered for true portability, these silos are self-contained units easily transported by standard truck or trailer. This makes them perfect for multi-site operations, temporary projects, or seasonal work. Their greatest installation benefit is the elimination of deep, reinforced concrete foundations. They can be set up quickly on level, compacted ground, often without a crane, and be operational in a fraction of the time required for fixed installations.

2. Optimized for Constrained Sites
The low-profile, horizontal design is a key advantage in environments with limited “sky space.” This makes them ideal for urban construction, sites under overhead obstacles, or even indoor applications where traditional tall silos are impractical.

3. Operational and Economic Efficiency
These units are designed for seamless integration into material handling workflows. They feature integrated systems for efficient loading, precise weighing, and controlled discharge, often connecting directly to mobile batch plants. This streamlined operation reduces waste and labor. Economically, they eliminate the capital expense of multiple fixed silos across different sites, offering a durable, reusable asset that lowers overall project costs.

4. Versatile and Environmentally Considerate
Beyond cement, they safely store various powdered materials like fly ash or lime. Their sealed construction protects contents from moisture and spoilage, while integrated dust collection systems ensure clean operation, minimize material loss, and reduce environmental impact on the worksite.

Applications

Mobile horizontal cement silos are a critical enabler for a wide range of projects, particularly where fixed infrastructure is impractical. Their primary applications include:

1. Mobility & On-Demand Concrete Production
As the central storage component of mobile concrete batching plants, these silos enable fully self-contained, movable concrete production. This allows crews to set up and produce concrete directly at the point of use, even as the jobsite location evolves.

2. Linear Infrastructure Projects
They are essential for major linear projects like highways, bridges, and tunnels. As work progresses along a route, the entire production setup—including the silo—can be quickly relocated to maintain optimal proximity to the active work zone, drastically reducing material transport time and cost.

3. Constrained & Challenging Sites

• Space-Restricted Environments: Their low-profile design is ideal for urban sites with height limitations, indoor installations within existing structures, or confined areas like tunnel interiors.
• Remote or Temporary Locations: They provide a practical storage solution where building permanent foundations is impossible or uneconomical, such as in remote deserts, mountainous regions, or for short-term projects like event construction.

4. Soil and Road Stabilization
In this specialized application, the silos are integrated with continuous mixing plants or spreaders. They precisely dose and supply binding agents like cement or lime directly into the soil stabilization process, creating a mobile and efficient system for ground improvement.

Working Principle

The system operates as a sealed, pressure-managed unit, with a cycle defined by three integrated phases:

1. Loading (Pressurized Intake)
Material is delivered by a pneumatic tanker truck, which pumps the powder through a feed pipe into the sealed silo under air pressure. A top-mounted dust collector filters and captures airborne particles during loading, ensuring clean air exhaust and preventing dust emissions. An integrated pressure relief valve automatically vents excess air to maintain safe internal pressure.

2. Sealed Storage & Monitoring
Once loaded, the material is stored within the airtight steel chamber, protected from environmental moisture and contamination. Electronic level sensors continuously monitor fill status, providing alerts for low or full conditions to maintain operational efficiency and prevent overfilling.

3. Controlled Discharge & Conveyance
Prior to discharge, internal devices such as pneumatic arch-breakers, vibrators, or fluidizing pads activate to prevent material clumping and ensure consistent flow. A discharge valve at the base of the cone opens to release material into a connected horizontal screw conveyor (auger), which precisely transfers the required amount of powder to the downstream process, such as a concrete mixer or weigh hopper.

Primary System Components

• Storage Vessel: A robust, horizontal cylindrical or rectangular steel tank, often conforming to standard transport dimensions.
• Stabilizing Frame: Integrated support legs provide stability on compacted ground without the need for fixed foundations.
• Mobility Package: Many units feature a built-in trailer chassis with axles, wheels, and road lighting, enabling relocation by a standard tractor truck.
• Material Handling System: Includes the screw conveyor, dust collector, pressure relief assembly, and flow-assistance devices.

Specification

Key Factors For Selecting A Cement Silo

When selecting a cement silo, key factors include project scale, site logistics, and material specifications. Evaluating these ensures optimal performance and cost-efficiency.

1. Capacity & Silo Type

• Capacity: Match silo size to daily output. Small-to-medium projects typically need 50–500 tons, while large industrial sites may require 3,000+ tons.
• Type: Choose vertical silos for permanent, high-capacity storage; horizontal/low-profile for height-restricted or mobile setups; and bolted designs for easy transport and modular assembly.

2. Performance & Maintenance

• Material Flow: Prioritize systems with vibrators or aeration pads to prevent clumping and ensure steady discharge.
• Moisture Protection: Airtight construction is essential to prevent hardening.
• Access: Ensure safe, easy access for cleaning and upkeep via ladders, manholes, and valves.

3. Compliance & Modern Features

• Dust Control: Integrated filters or collectors are mandatory to meet particulate emission standards.
• Safety: Pressure relief valves and level indicators are critical to prevent over-pressurization and overfilling.
• Durability: Opt for galvanized or corrosion‑resistant coatings for long‑term use.
• Smart Integration: IoT‑enabled monitoring for real‑time inventory tracking and predictive maintenance is increasingly standard.
• Compatibility: Confirm discharge height and conveyor systems align with your existing batching or loading setup.

Choosing the right silo involves balancing storage needs, site constraints, and modern operational standards to ensure reliable, efficient, and compliant material management.

Maintaining Tips

Maintaining a cement silo demands proactive, routine care to prevent blockages, material hardening, and structural issues. Focus on these key areas:

1. Prevent Moisture & Ensure Flow

• Control Moisture: Use dry, moisture‑free air in handling systems, especially in humid climates.
• Empty Regularly: Completely discharge the silo periodically to avoid material compaction.
• Practice FIFO: Use older cement first to minimize hardening.
• Maintain Fluidizing Equipment: Regularly check air pads, diffusers, and vibrators to ensure consistent material flow.

2. Routine Inspection Schedule

• Daily/Weekly: Visually check for cracks, rust, leaks, or unusual noises.
• Quarterly: Inspect and clear relief valves and vents; schedule professional cleaning to remove buildup.
• Annually: Conduct a professional structural inspection, focusing on corrosion, coating integrity, and roof condition.

3. Structural & Component Care

• Roof Integrity: Monitor for leaks or water pooling, which can cause internal corrosion.
• Corrosion Protection: Apply or refresh protective coatings on metal surfaces.
• Lubricate Moving Parts: Monthly, lubricate discharge gates, bearings, and hinges.
• Filter Maintenance: Clean or replace dust collector filters to maintain airflow and safety.

4. Safety First

• Professional Cleaning Only: Never allow untrained personnel inside a silo due to risks of falling material and toxic fumes.
• Lockout/Tagout: Always de‑energize and secure equipment before starting any maintenance.

Following these guidelines will help ensure safe, efficient, and long‑lasting silo operation.

Why Choose Shanghe?

Custom-Engineered Per Project: Shanghe engineers work directly with your project team to design silos to spec.

Backed by Experience: As a major bolted silo manufacturer in China, we bring a commitment to give decades experience, technical expertise and storage solutions to meet global quality standards. From strong bolted silo designs to seamless on-site installation and after post-sales support, we ensure that you get maximum value for your investment. Partners with us to secure high-capacity storage who is fully suited to your logistics and operational demands. Our Bolted Silos available in strong Steel or light Aluminium material to match your project requirements.