The materials you've mentioned come in various grades and particle size and shapes. Some are easier to handle than others and they all cannot be "grouped" together and treated the same like we often do with Cements and Fly Ashes.

The storage silos are normally coated carbon steel, aluminum or stainless steel. Fluidization can be used on some grades of powder. Many times conditioned air must be used and in some cases, inert gases such as Nitrogen is used.

For some grades, live bottoms are used on the silos.

The silos are not the larger diameter, flat bottom type typical for Cement and Fly Ash but usually smaller diameter with conical bottoms.

If you can narrrow your request to more specific conditions, a more specific answer may be available. ■

dear Mr. Seth,

Be careful when you design these silos. these are covered as combustible dusts and are prone to dust explosion.

The silos need to be seperated from the conveying system through a rotary lock ( or rotary valve).

The exit cone anglew should be more than the angle of repose for the material to be handled.

the information form the Process licensors are essential with regard to handling of the product as well the properties of the product.

please ensure you have the requisite information of the product you rae handling and its properties before you venture into

C. Mohandas Rao ■