Bin Activators & Soliflo™ Cone‑Valve Dischargers
Reliable, dust‑tight discharge from silos and hoppers. Choose the classic vibrating Bin Activator for broad materials and mass‑flow, or the Soliflo™ cone‑valve discharger for variable flow with positive shutoff.
- Eliminate rat‑holing, bridging, segregation, and flushing
- Mass‑flow discharge and even bulk density for accurate feeding
- Available in carbon or stainless steel, round or square
What problem are we solving?
Dry bulk solids often compact in the converging hopper section of a silo, causing rat‑holing, bridging, and inconsistent flow. A properly sized discharge device promotes mass‑flow (first‑in/first‑out), protects product quality, and gives a predictable, controllable discharge to downstream equipment.
How a Bin Activator Works
- A spun steel dish with an internal baffle cone is suspended from a welded or bolted support ring using isolation hangers.
- One or two external vibrator motors transmit energy into the bed of material (not the silo), inducing mass‑flow.
- The preset annular gap between dish and baffle controls the discharge rate; the flexible sleeve provides a dust‑tight seal.
Ideal when you want a rugged, low‑maintenance flow‑aid that promotes mass‑flow and even bulk density for accurate feeding.
Key Features
- Continuous yet controlled discharge (mass‑flow)
- Reduces bridging, rat‑holing, degradation & segregation
- Very low maintenance; simple bolt‑on installation
- Round, square, or rectangular inlets/outlets
- Carbon steel or 304 SS; food‑grade finishes available
- 2’–10’ standard diameters (larger on request)
Size Range & Typical Drives — Bin Activators
| Nominal Size | Typical Drive (HP) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2 ft | 0.33 HP | Compact bins, feeders, LIW hoppers |
| 3 ft | 0.33 HP | General purpose |
| 4 ft | 0.67 HP | Most silos and day bins |
| 5 ft | 1.29 HP | Higher headloads |
| 6 ft | 2.40 HP | Demanding applications |
| 7 ft | 2.40 HP | Large silos |
| 8–10 ft | Dual 2.40 HP | Dual motors for large diameters |
Selection depends on silo diameter, headload, material characteristics, and required throughput. We’ll size the unit for you.
Soliflo™ Cone‑Valve Discharger
The Soliflo™ is a pneumatic cone‑valve discharger that bolts rigidly to the silo. Lifting the internal cone creates an annular gap for flow; lowering the cone provides positive shutoff. The cone can be pulsed for variable discharge rates and to break bridges. Available in round or square configurations.
Why choose Soliflo?
- Infinitely variable discharge via cone lift/pulsing
- Positive shutoff when the cone is lowered
- No flexible sleeves or hanger arms; dust‑tight
- Fully pneumatic actuation (approx. 80 psi)
- Maintenance access with silo full
- Standard sizes 2’–8’ (special sizes on request)
Bin Activator vs. Soliflo™ — Which one fits?
| Criteria | Bin Activator | Soliflo™ Cone‑Valve |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Benefit | Mass‑flow, even bulk density | Variable flow with positive shutoff |
| Mounting | Suspended from support ring with isolation hangers + flex sleeve | Bolts directly to silo (no sleeve or hangers) |
| Control of Rate | Preset annular gap; cycle motor for very low rates | Adjust cone lift height or pulse timing |
| Shutoff Capability | No positive shutoff; add valve below | Positive seal when cone is lowered |
| Sizing Guideline | ≈ 1/3 to 1.0 × silo Ø (material dependent) | ≈ 1/4 to 3/4 × silo Ø (material dependent) |
| Speed / Capacity | Robust, general purpose | Typically up to ~3× faster discharge than a BA |
| Best Fit | Broad materials where mass‑flow & simplicity are priorities | When rate control or shutoff is required; dusty products |
Application Example — Flour Silo
Customer: Large commercial bakery (NC) with a 12’ × 40’ flour silo.
- Existing live‑bottom screw, air cannons & external vibrators produced inconsistent flow and dead zones.
- Objectives: continuous, consistent discharge on demand; promote mass‑flow; minimal maintenance.
- Solution: Soliflo™ cone‑valve discharger bolted to the silo. Cone lift breaks bridges; lowering provides shutoff.
- Results: Installed 2001. Reliable, maintenance‑free discharge with only one minor issue (venting) years later.
Typical Integrations
- Rotary airlocks, screw feeders, and weigh‑belt/LIW feeders
- Level sensors and purge/venting for dust collection
- Load cells for batch or loss‑in‑weight control
Sizing Guidelines
Bin Activator: Often selected at ≈ 1/3 of silo diameter for free‑flowing materials; up to the same diameter as the silo for fibrous or flaky materials.
Soliflo: Often selected at ≈ 1/4 of silo diameter for free‑flowing materials; up to ≈ 3/4 of silo diameter for difficult materials.
Final sizing depends on headload, material properties, and required discharge rate. Share your material, bulk density, and rate and we’ll size it for you.
Get a Bin Discharge That Just Works
Send us your material, silo diameter/height, desired rate, and downstream equipment. We’ll recommend the right activator or Soliflo—sized and priced for your project.
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