The challenge
Steel silos conduct heat, so moisture condenses on their walls. In the tropical climate this had hydrated the stored cement into caking 300–500 mm thick on walls, liner plates and stiffeners.
Uneven caked masses put asymmetric loads on the thin steel shell and can cause buckling. Unstable rat-holes and overhangs also create an engulfment hazard.
Scope of works
- Full lockout/tagout of feed, aeration and discharge equipment
- Multi-gas monitoring, ATEX-rated ventilation and a tested rescue system at the manhole
- Dual-rope rope access, working top-down and always above any hang-up
- Low-impact pneumatic and non-sparking tools to remove the caking without damaging the shell
- Controlled discharge of material into bulk transport
Outcome
All caking was removed, relieving the shell loads and restoring full capacity and discharge, with zero LTI and no stop to grinding or dispatch. Read our cement silo unblocking case study and learn about our silo cleaning services.
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