Hopper, bin, silo and bunker are very important parts of the entire bulk material handling system. Not many understand the scientific definition of the hopper, bin, silo, and bunker correctly and at times that proves to be a roadblock in understanding the complete process.
In fact, many engineers still find it difficult sometimes to decide upon which equipment is to be utilized for what purpose in their bulk material handling system.
This confusion lies right from its definition to the use of this equipment.
So, here is a detail description to clear the doubts.
When to select hopper, bin, silo or bunker
Right from the ancient times, the use of these names – hopper, bin, silo, and the bunker was very limited to specific item, as per traditional vocabulary in particular profession. To justify here is an example, the farmer will say grain-bin to the container he is using for storing grains, a silo for storing silage (green grass) at farm and coal bunker to underground coal storage near his house.
Still, in the industry, these names are meant to just refer “a container in the plant to accommodate bulk material in bulk material handling system.” However, even as per Oxford dictionary these names convey following meanings:
- Hopper: A container shaped like V to hold grain, coal, etc. and lets it out through the bottom.
- Bin: A container with a lid on top to store material. The bin could mean very large container and also very small container (like dustbin).
- Silo: Relatively tall container at the farm to store grain, or underground civil structure to keep silage (green grass, etc.), or underground structure to keep missiles and/or dangerous goods.
- Bunker: An underground type structure for shelter or for placing guns or for storing coal, etc. in a ship or outside the house.
So common feature of all these four names is that each implies it as “a container to accommodate material.”
These definitions themselves don’t provide sufficient information to select right apparatus for bulk material handling system. In fact, it adds more to the confusion.
In general, the name mentioned by buyer becomes the name of the item in particular plant. The above-mentioned lengthy elaboration about the name is not for hypothetical reasons but directly concerns what name is to be used for your purpose.
Hence, it is must to know in depth what exactly is hopper, bin, silo and bunker.
Let us have a look at following technical definitions as they would add more information for your clarification.
Hopper: The frustum of pyramid or cone, in an inverted position, without vertical faces or having vertical faces of limited height. Basically, the hopper is required for functional purpose and for some storage.
Bin: Technically speaking, the bin is a kind of container mainly used for storage capacity, with tall vertical faces. The bin as understood in bulk material handling system vocabulary could have a flat bottom or inverted frustum of the pyramid at the bottom or inverted frustum of the cone at the bottom. The storage aspect is dominant for the bin.
Silo: This can be misunderstood same as for bin, i.e. Container mainly used for storage capacity, with tall vertical faces. The silo as understood in bulk material handling system vocabulary could have a flat bottom or inverted frustum of the pyramid at the bottom or an inverted frustum of the cone at the bottom. The storage aspect is dominant for silo also.
Bunker: Bunker too, is a container that is mainly used for storage capacity. Original reference implied strongly constructed item for storage below ground or below working surface (i.e. storage the in ship, etc). However, present day bulk material handling system vocabulary also uses this word for overground storage, say coal bunker for boilers
Contact our sales team at sales-west@aagengg.com or visit our website at www.aagengg.com to a design perfect bulk material handling system.
