Glossary
Hoppers and silos
Bin (bulk-solids)
Also known as bins, storage bin, day bin.
A bin is a small-to-mid-size bulk-solids storage vessel — the term is used loosely in industry and overlaps with hopper and silo. Typical bin volumes range from a few cubic metres to a few hundred cubic metres; anything larger tends to be called a silo, anything smaller a hopper.
Usage examples
- Day bin — holds one day's worth of feed material above a downstream process
- Surge bin — buffers flow variation between two process steps
- Charging bin — feeds reactor or kiln
- Receiving bin — accepts product from a pneumatic-conveying system
Flow problems
Bins suffer the same bridging and rat-holing as larger silos and hoppers, and respond to the same range of remedies including sonic horns. The smaller size makes bin vibrators particularly competitive on bins under ~5 m³.
Related terms
Related terms
- HopperA hopper is an inverted-pyramid or conical vessel for storing and discharging bulk solids. Bridging and rat-holing are the universal failure modes; sonic horns are a clean, low-maintenance remedy.
- SiloA silo is a large vertical bulk-solids storage vessel. Cement, fly-ash, lime, biomass, fertilizer and food-powder silos all bridge and rat-hole; sonic horns are the leading flow aid.
- Bunker (coal bunker)A coal bunker is an intermediate coal-storage vessel that feeds pulveriser mills. Bridging in coal bunkers interrupts mill feed and forces unit derates; sonic horns are the standard flow aid.
- Bridging (bulk-solids)Bridging (also arching) is the formation of a stable arch of bulk solids above the discharge outlet of a hopper or silo, stopping material flow. The universal failure mode of bulk-solids storage.