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What is silo engineering?
Silo engineering takes into consideration numerous elements to ensure the structural integrity of a silo design. The storage capacity you need helps determine the correct silo size, though other factors, including the seismic probability of your location, are also considered.
What is Fly Ash?
Coal power plants and other industries that burn pulverized coal must manage the resulting byproduct fly ash. When released directly into the air, fly ash negatively impacts air quality. In 2015, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published requirements for the safe disposal of coal combustion residuals like fly ash.1 Today, fly ash is stored in concrete storage silos and domes and has numerous commercial and industrial applications. In paints, adhesives, and composites, fly ash is used as a filler. In the cement industry, fly ash can be added to mixes to improve concrete durability, make mixes easier to work, and improve permeability.
Marietta Silos leads the industry in fly ash silo construction and has constructed more fly ash silos than any other company combined. We have earned an unparalleled reputation for excellence through extensive experience with concrete fly ash silos with numerous leading power utilities and contractors throughout the United States. Marietta Silos is also highly experienced in silo building and design for bottom ash and palletized fly ash storage silos.
Storage Domes
When it comes to storage dome cleaning and maintenance, it's important to consider how the unique shape impacts material flow and buildup. Regardless of whether domes store cement or fly ash, hardened material will still accumulate along the interior surface. To remove this material buildup from storage domes, specialized equipment used by silo and dome cleaning professionals is essential. Furthermore, the large, domed ceiling can make cleaning of material buildup more challenging.
Once fully empty and cleaned, storage domes can be inspected by a trained professional who can recommend necessary maintenance and repairs. It's also a good time to replace or repair existing fluidizing equipment, like air pads, to help ensure continued material flow.
Ready for your next dome cleaning? Contact USA Silo Services to Request a Quote.
1 US EPA, O. (2014, December 11). Disposal of coal combustion residuals from electric utilities rulemakings [Other Policies and Guidance]. https://www.epa.gov/coalash/coal-ash-rule.
Addressing Silo Emergencies
From unplanned downtime and lost revenue to silo failure and loss of life, the consequences can be dire when emergency silo issues arise. Without routine silo inspections, silo repair emergencies and structural failures can seem like they came out of nowhere. Failing to complete preventive maintenance is a leading cause of costly, dangerous silo failure. Addressing minor issues as soon as they arise helps keep the costs of silo ownership low as major repairs, emergencies, and structural failures are more expensive up front, take longer to correct, and inevitably result in unplanned downtime.
When emergency silo issues arise, Marietta Silos' team acts quickly to offer emergency services that meet all of your silo needs. Our experts have the experience and expertise to fix your silo problems for good.
Preventing Silo Emergencies
Though many silo emergencies can be fixed, the best way to protect workers and keep costs low is to prevent silo emergencies from happening in the first place. Regular maintenance and silo inspections are necessary to ensure that silos remain in good working condition and that any issues can be identified and addressed before they become larger problems.
Scheduling routine maintenance during temperate times of the year can help you reduce expenses by catching and addressing problems early and reducing downtime. Times of the year with mild weather, like the spring and fall, tend to provide better working conditions for various silo repairs. These ideal weather conditions can make a repair or restoration go more quickly – reducing the cost of labor and your downtime.
Contact us to schedule your next silo repair, restoration, or inspection.
