Of the three types of silos-tower, bag and bunker-stainless steel tower silos are the most widely used. Mainly found on a farm and used in the agricultural industry to store crops or animal feed, known as silage, stainless steel silos range in size and capacity, sometimes containing hundreds of tons of storage. Read More…
Leading Manufacturers
Frain Industries, Inc.
Carol Stream, IL | 630-629-9900Here at Frain Industries, Inc. we offer an extensive line of stainless steel tanks. These tanks come in a wide range of shapes and sizes based on their application. Our tank sizes range from 5 gallons to 10,000 gallons and these tanks can be customized to meet your application needs.
G & F Manufacturing Company, Inc.
Oak Lawn, IL | 708-424-4170For 50 years G & F Manufacturing has been a leading quality stainless steel tank manufacturer for many industries, including pharmaceutical, food & beverage. Their storage containers offer quality workmanship & durability.
Rexarc International
West Alexandria, OH | 937-839-4604Rexarc’s focus is on the fabrication of custom stainless and carbon steel pressure vessels. We welcome applications with pressures between 500 and 5,000 psi. After nearly 100-years of being in business, Rexarc has the knowledge, attitude, equipment, and processes to support your needs in vessel production and value add services of piping, instrumentation, paint, and other controls integration. Rexarc’s traditions of customization, communication, and commitment to on-time delivery of products has been passed down through four generations of family leadership. Our customers know that we were here yesterday, we are here today, and we will be here tomorrow.
Smith Steel & Fabrication
Atwood, ON | 800-347-2982Smith Steel & Fabrication is a leading manufacturer of specialized mild and stainless steel silos for bulk storage applications. Our custom steel fabricated silos are built to meet our client's exact specifications. Each project is designed and engineered in-house and hand-welded by our fantastic team of CWB certified welders.
Smart Machine Technologies, Inc.
Ridgeway, VA | 877-959-2138Since 1975, Smart Machine has been an innovative industry leader in designing and manufacturing stainless steel tanks. With many years of experience, we can efficiently serve our customers at competitive prices. Our main focus has always been to provide our customers with high-quality products with the exact specifications for their needs.
Northern Manufacturing Co.
Oak Harbor, OH | 419-898-2821Northern Manufacturing offers a wide range of capabilities in quality services, including stainless steel tanks. Our main focus has always been to provide our customers with the exact specifications for their unique needs. Our tanks can be manufactured up to 14’ in diameter and up to 65’ long.
Stainless Steel Silos - Frain Industries, Inc.Silos are typically the largest stainless steel tank on the market, ranging from 10 to 90 feet in diameter and 30 to 275 feel in height. Because stainless steel is easy to clean and has no pores that would absorb or release impurities, these silos are used in the chemical, food processing, mining, pharmaceutical, plastics and water works industries holding substances like milk, crushed limestone powder or corn seed.
Stainless steel is an effective conductor of thermal heat and resists high temperature oxidation which makes it suitable for outdoor use in many different climates. It's a versatile and common metal that is resistant to corrosion, staining, peeling and cracking. The familiar cylindrical shape of these silos is meant to resist hydraulic pressure, and they always contain at least one manway, or opening, for pressure control.
The process of constructing a stainless steel silo begins with steel, an alloy metal consisting mostly of iron. Chromium is added to the metal; the percentage of chromium determines the grade and corrosion resistance of the final product. Steel and the alloys are melted together in an electric arc furnace and then annealed, a process that alternately heats and cools the steel until hardened.
A thin flexible layer of chromium oxide forms on the outside surface, coating it and in essence sealing it off from abrasive substances. For a silo, the stainless steel is roll-formed. A long strip of stainless steel is fed through a series of rollers that gradually bend the steel into shape.
Since the stainless steel is worked in a cold state, the results are typically lighter and stronger than if the steel had been stretched while hot. After the large curved sheets are cut and prepared, they can be fastened together with bolts or welded, which ensures a seamless watertight construction. If the size allows it, silos are transported on a special delivery truck and then erected by a crane.
Depending on the intended use of the silo, a 45 or 60 degree stainless steel cone can be fitted on the bottom to allow a consistent flow of material. Other nozzles, doors, pipes and fittings are added; some silos require heating, refrigeration or have an agitator installed. The stainless steel silo can sit on the ground or be supported on a stand to allow for easy access to the material inside. The stands vary in size and strength as well as design and can be elevated, legged or skirted.
