Miller Magazine Issue: 139 July 2021

58 COVER STORY MILLER / july 2021 For the grains and bulk logistics industry, a me- tallic silo is a proven system to improve grain qual- ity and preservation. Steel silo is the top inves- tor-friendly asset thanks to its many advantages: it can hold large capacities in the space available; it is an economical solution, with easy-assembly and easy-maintenance; the automation for loading and unloading reduces OPEX and labour costs, etc. Regarding grain quality preservation, steel silos allow for a better post-harvest management, with less losses and major quality improvements, due to humidity and temperature control, ventilation, as well as it is effective against damages from weather events, rodents or insects. Temperature monitoring and ventilation are cen- tral elements in assuring storage grain quality. It re- quires steady vigilance from the first load of grain – checking the material’s temperature and humidity. Silo managers understand these two variables, and their setting, will determine the options for storage time, and will directly prevent the appearance of pests or molds. Pests are one of the main threats to stored grains, which find hot, moist environments ripe for breeding. Same applies to molds and fungi, that can contaminate and throw to waste an entire stored crop. To manage temperature and moisture, ventilation has become the main tool to improve extended grain storage. It requires a multifaceted approach, balancing readings of humidity and temperature, both inside and outside of the silo. To put it simply, ventilation moves air form the outside, with the right moisture and temperature conditions, to keep and maintain the grain inside to our target of humidity and temperature for long term and quality storage. Working at unison with ventilation, a tempera- ture monitoring system allows for the control of the temperature over stored material and storing con- ditions. It is composed of a set of probes hanging from the roof inside of the silo, providing real-time readings of temperature and, for advanced sys- tems, moisture, across the silo grain column. Nor- mally these are passive systems, with zero mainte- nance, and in some cases, the probes are designed to be replaced without emptying the silo. Symaga offers a temperature monitoring system and an “Temperature monitoring and ventilation are central elements in assuring storage grain quality. To manage temperature and moisture, ventilation has become the main tool to improve extended grain storage. It requires a multifaceted approach, balancing read- ings of humidity and temperature, both inside and outside of the silo.” Assuring grain quality in storage Alfonso Garrido CEO Symaga