Flat-bottom silo cleaning and floor systems
Flat floors, discharge points, aeration equipment and reclaim systems can all retain material after normal unloading.
Silo types, stored materials and deposits
Silo cleaning library
A technical reference covering silo construction, stored products, retained deposits and the factors that affect cleaning and return to use.
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41 reference records · 9 detailed guides
Silo types and cleaning considerations
Silo geometry and construction affect access, discharge arrangements, retained material and the surfaces that need cleaning. Flat-bottom, hopper, tower and bunker silos describe different storage arrangements, while fabric and GRP describe construction materials.
Hopper silo cleaning and flow behaviour
Cone geometry, outlet condition, internal finish and the stored material all influence cleaning and deposit removal in hopper-bottom silos.
Tower silo cleaning and storage arrangements
Tower silos vary widely in contents, wall construction and unloading equipment, so the cleaning method depends on the specific installation.
Bunker silo cleaning and effluent control
Horizontal silage stores involve retaining walls, floors, drainage channels and effluent collection rather than the enclosed geometry of an upright silo.
A bund is secondary containment around a liquid tank. A bunker silo is horizontal bulk storage. For a liquid-tank bund, see bunded tank cleaning.
Stored materials and retained deposits
The same silo may need a different clean when the product, deposit condition or next use changes. Food powders can bring hygiene, allergen and combustible-dust concerns. Mineral powders may harden after moisture exposure, while agricultural products can deteriorate in storage.
- Stored material: exact product or grade, including ingredients and any allergens that affect the cleaning standard.
- Deposits: location, extent, condition and any known change in flow or moisture.
- Equipment: silo construction, outlet or reclaim equipment and connected conveying systems.
- Return to use: next product, hygiene requirements and the operator’s acceptance criteria.
Reference sources for this library
These sources support the technical points in the library. Manufacturer information applies to the equipment or application it describes, and regulatory guidance applies only within its stated scope and jurisdiction.
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41 matching records
Powder and bulk-handling materials
Laundry detergent powder
Gericke lists laundry detergent among chemical bulk-material applications. The formulation and current safety data sheet are needed before selecting a cleaning method for retained detergent powder.
Gericke: powder and bulk-material handlingThe link above opens the source used for this reference entry.
Reference checklist and technical facts
- Exact detergent formulation and current safety data sheet.
- Silo, hopper and connected conveying equipment containing residue.
Gericke: powder and bulk-material handling
Get a quoteSilo types and construction
Live-bottom silo cleaning
SPIRAC live-bottom silos use multiple low-speed screws across the silo floor to discharge difficult bulk solids. Any cleaning work must account for the powered screws, their drives and connected transfer equipment.
SPIRAC: silos and silo systemsThe link above opens the source used for this reference entry.
Reference checklist and technical facts
- Equipment
- The live-bottom discharge arrangement uses multiple moving screws.
- Planning
- Identify the screw drives and connected transfer equipment involved in the work.
- Live-bottom screw arrangement, drives and connected transfer equipment.
- Isolation points for the screws and associated machinery.
- Stored material and deposits around the discharge system.
SPIRAC: silos and silo systems
Get a quoteAgricultural storage
Maize grain
HSE guidance covers grain dust from crops including maize. The storage condition and the equipment containing retained grain or dust are the key points for cleaning assessment.
HSE: control of exposure to grain dustThe link above opens the source used for this reference entry.
Reference checklist and technical facts
- Maize condition and storage arrangement.
- Storage or handling equipment containing retained grain or dust.
HSE: control of exposure to grain dust
Get a quotePowder and bulk-handling materials
Muesli ingredients
Gericke lists muesli among its food bulk-material applications. Previous ingredients and the required changeover standard determine how retained material needs to be dealt with before the next product.
Gericke: powder and bulk-material handlingThe link above opens the source used for this reference entry.
Reference checklist and technical facts
- Ingredients previously handled, including relevant allergens.
- Storage and handling equipment included in the product changeover.
Gericke: powder and bulk-material handling
Get a quoteAgricultural storage
Oat grain
HSE guidance covers grain dust from crops including oats. Cleaning assessment should identify the crop condition and the storage or handling areas where grain or dust remains.
HSE: control of exposure to grain dustThe link above opens the source used for this reference entry.
Reference checklist and technical facts
- Oat crop and storage condition.
- Storage or handling areas containing remaining grain or dust.
HSE: control of exposure to grain dust
Get a quotePowder and bulk-handling materials
Plaster powders
Gericke lists plasters under construction-material bulk handling. Cleaning information should identify the plaster product or formulation and where deposits remain in the storage or transfer equipment.
Gericke: powder and bulk-material handlingThe link above opens the source used for this reference entry.
Reference checklist and technical facts
- Exact plaster powder formulation or product.
- Storage or transfer equipment containing retained deposits.
Gericke: powder and bulk-material handling
Get a quotePowder and bulk-handling materials
Plastic masterbatch
Gericke lists master batch under plastics bulk handling. The exact masterbatch grade and the storage or conveying arrangement are needed to assess residue removal and product changeover.
Gericke: powder and bulk-material handlingThe link above opens the source used for this reference entry.
Reference checklist and technical facts
- Exact masterbatch product or grade.
- Storage and conveying equipment containing retained material.
Gericke: powder and bulk-material handling
Get a quoteFood powders
Potato powder
HSE includes potato powder in its examples of explosible food dusts. The product grade and the position and condition of retained powder need to be clear before the cleaning method is assessed.
HSE: preventing dust explosions in the food industryThe link above opens the source used for this reference entry.
Reference checklist and technical facts
- Exact potato powder grade or formulation.
- Location and condition of retained powder in the storage or handling system.
HSE: preventing dust explosions in the food industry
Get a quoteBuild-up and flow problems
Powder agglomerates
Agglomerates are lumps that have formed within a bulk powder. The material, size and condition of the lumps, their location and any recent product change help describe the flow or deposit problem.
Gericke: building-material powder handlingThe link above opens the source used for this reference entry.
Reference checklist and technical facts
- Material and grade in which the agglomerates formed.
- Size, condition and location of the observed lumps.
- When the lumps were first observed and whether the stored product had changed.
Gericke: building-material powder handling
Get a quoteMineral and construction powders
Powder pigments
Powder pigments can leave coloured carry-over in bulk-handling equipment. The pigment grade and colour, deposit location and next-product limits determine how significant that residue is.
Gericke: building-material powder handlingThe link above opens the source used for this reference entry.
Reference checklist and technical facts
- Pigment formulation, grade and colour.
- Location and condition of retained pigment deposits.
- Colour or contamination limits for the next product.
Gericke: building-material powder handling
Get a quoteFood ingredients
Powdered flavour ingredients
Gericke lists flavours among chemical bulk-material applications. For powdered flavour ingredients, the formulation, retained residue and required changeover standard need to be established for the product concerned.
Gericke: powder and bulk-material handlingThe link above opens the source used for this reference entry.
Reference checklist and technical facts
- Flavour formulation, including carrier materials and relevant allergens where applicable.
- Retained powder in storage and transfer equipment.
- Changeover standard for the next product.
Gericke: powder and bulk-material handling
Get a quoteBuild-up and flow problems
Retained powder at transfer points
Powder can remain at transfer points as well as inside the main storage vessel. The equipment, material and deposit location need to be identified separately so the cleaning boundary is clear.
Gericke: building-material powder handlingThe link above opens the source used for this reference entry.
Reference checklist and technical facts
- Whether the deposit is in storage, at a transfer point or in a conveying line.
- Exact stored product and condition of the retained material.
- Required condition of the affected equipment before return to use.
Gericke: building-material powder handling
Get a quotePowder and bulk-handling materials
Sewage sludge granules
Gericke identifies sewage sludge granules as a bulk-material transport application. Their origin and available product or waste documentation help establish what is stored and any limits relevant to cleaning.
Gericke: powder and bulk-material handlingThe link above opens the source used for this reference entry.
Reference checklist and technical facts
- Origin of the sewage sludge granules.
- Available product or waste documentation and the storage equipment involved.
Gericke: powder and bulk-material handling
Get a quoteBuild-up and flow problems
Silo bridging and ratholing
Bridging forms an arch-shaped obstruction above an outlet. Ratholing leaves a flow channel through otherwise stagnant material. The distinction matters when describing the cause and extent of a silo flow problem.
Jenike & Johanson: poor bulk-solids flowThe link above opens the source used for this reference entry.
Reference checklist and technical facts
- Bridging
- An arch-shaped obstruction forms above an outlet.
- Ratholing
- A flow channel remains within otherwise stagnant material.
- Whether flow has stopped completely or continues through a narrow channel.
- Stored material and location of retained material.
- Outlet and discharge arrangement associated with the affected area.
Jenike & Johanson: poor bulk-solids flow
Get a quoteFood powders
Soup powder
HSE lists soup powder among examples of explosible food dusts. Its formulation and the equipment containing retained powder determine the information needed for cleaning and dust assessment.
HSE: preventing dust explosions in the food industryThe link above opens the source used for this reference entry.
Reference checklist and technical facts
- Soup powder formulation, including relevant ingredients and allergens.
- Storage and handling equipment containing retained powder.
HSE: preventing dust explosions in the food industry
Get a quotePowder and bulk-handling materials
Vitamin blends
Gericke lists vitamin blends among its animal-feed and pet-food bulk-material applications. The exact blend and supplier product information are needed to identify the material and any cleaning constraints.
Gericke: powder and bulk-material handlingThe link above opens the source used for this reference entry.
Reference checklist and technical facts
- Exact vitamin blend and supplier product information.
- Storage and handling equipment containing retained blend.
Gericke: powder and bulk-material handling
Get a quoteAgricultural storage
Wheat grain
HSE guidance covers grain dust from crops including wheat. The crop and storage condition need to be considered alongside residual grain or dust in the silo and connected handling equipment.
HSE: control of exposure to grain dustThe link above opens the source used for this reference entry.
Reference checklist and technical facts
- Wheat crop and storage condition.
- Residual grain or dust in the silo, outlet or connected handling equipment.
HSE: control of exposure to grain dust
Get a quotePublished by Silo Cleaning. Sources checked 12 September 2026. Editorial policy.
Please contact us if you identify a factual error in this library.
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