Miller Magazine Issue: 139 July 2021

59 COVER STORY MILLER / july 2021 aeration system that meet our customer’s most demanding requirements, and cover all their grain storage needs. From top to bottom, a full system is composed of, first, roof vents, that allow free flow of air and allow for air renovation. Symaga’ circular design prevents the accumulation of water or snow, it is easier to assemble, embossed with the roof section, and it comes with anti-bird net. Some are design to be shut for fumigation activities, and ready for the installation of an extractor fan to avoid condensation inside. Down to the silo base, different aeration de- signs allow for the ingress of the air inside the silo. The most common is the channel-type, made up of concrete-casted channels covered with gal- vanized, corrugated and multi-perforated boxes, covering between the 25% and the 30% of silo bottom. Channels come in different shapes, com- monly known as “Y”, “H”, “C” if silo has a concrete hopper, or “T” if it is a hopper silo. To ease the civ- il works of the silo foundation, Symaga also sup- plies galvanized prefabricated gutters. Alterna- tively, fully-perforated floors, supported on steel structures, cover the entire silo base and allow for a most homogeneous entry of air – which is key for some grains, such as paddy rice. One development that allows for aeration and easier handling are the Ventilated cone. It is com- prised of an elevated cone made of galvanized steel inside the silo. The system avoids contact between the ground and grain, making civil works and operations cheaper, while increasing the area of aeration Depending on the type of grain, it is important to select the right type of perforation of the aeration