Moving from bagged cement to bulk cement is a turning point for many batching plants, block factories and precast yards in Nigeria. It cuts bag handling, reduces waste and speeds up production. But a poorly planned cement silo and screw conveyor setup can cause blockages, dust problems, inaccurate batching and even structural risk.
This guide covers the decisions you need to make before installation: silo size, foundations, conveyor selection, filling and venting, and how to know how much cement is actually in the silo. It applies whether your yard is in Lagos, Abuja, Kaduna or Warri.
Why switch to a bulk cement silo?
Bagged cement works for small sites, but as volumes grow it brings real costs:
- Labour to offload, stack, cut and empty bags
- Torn bags, spillage and cement exposed to rain and humidity
- Slower batching while workers empty bags into the hopper
- Harder stock control, because bags go missing
A silo filled by bulk tankers stores cement sealed from moisture and feeds it automatically to the weigh hopper.
Choosing silo size and type
Size
Silos are sized in tonnes of cement. A 50 tonne cement silo is a common choice for small and medium batching plants. To choose a size, consider:
- Your daily cement use at normal and peak production
- The size of tanker deliveries you receive
- How reliable deliveries are in your area. Sites far from cement depots often need more storage as a buffer.
Many plants use two silos so one can be refilled while the other is in use, or to store different cement types.
Bolted or welded
Welded silos are fabricated as a complete shell and transported whole, which needs suitable roads and lifting equipment. Bolted silos are shipped in panels and assembled on site, which makes transport to remote locations easier. Both work well when properly installed and sealed.
Foundations and erection
A full silo is a tall, heavy structure that also catches wind. Its foundation must be designed for the full weight of cement plus the silo, and for wind loads. Key points:
- Have a qualified engineer design the foundation for your soil conditions.
- Fix anchor bolts accurately so the legs sit level.
- Provide clear access for tankers to reach the filling pipe.
- Leave space around the silo base for the screw conveyor, maintenance and any weighing equipment.
Kira Scales has long experience with heavy foundations through weighbridge installation work and understands how important level, solid bases are for any equipment that weighs.
Selecting the screw conveyor
The screw conveyor carries cement from the silo cone to the weigh hopper. The cement silo screw conveyor (LSY219/273) range is widely used on batching plants. When selecting one, check:
- Diameter and capacity: larger diameters such as 273 mm move more cement per hour, suiting bigger plants.
- Length: long enough to reach the weigh hopper from the silo outlet at the planned angle.
- Angle: screws are commonly installed at an incline; steeper angles reduce effective capacity.
- Inlet and outlet connections: matched to the silo butterfly valve and the hopper inlet, with a flexible connection at the hopper.
- Motor and gearbox: suitable for your power supply, with protection against dust.
The flexible connection matters
The screw outlet must not bear on the cement weigh hopper. A flexible canvas or rubber sleeve between them lets the hopper hang freely. A rigid connection is one of the most common causes of inaccurate cement weighing. See our notes on cement weighing in the cement weigh hopper with load cells product page.
Filling, venting and dust control
Bulk tankers blow cement into the silo through a filling pipe using compressed air. That air must escape, so every silo needs:
- A dust collector or filter on the roof to release air while holding back cement dust
- A pressure relief valve to protect the silo from over-pressure during filling
- A high-level indicator to warn the tanker driver when the silo is nearly full
- Aeration pads or vibrators in the cone to keep cement flowing and prevent bridging
Clean or shake the filter regularly. A blocked filter can over-pressurise the silo during filling, which is dangerous.
How much cement is in the silo? Level sensors vs weighing
Level indicators show only high or low points. They do not tell you how many tonnes you have, and cement does not settle evenly, so volume-based estimates can be misleading.
Weighing the silo gives a direct reading of stock in tonnes. A silo / hopper weighing system or a 100 tonne silo weighing kit with four load cells fits load cells under the silo legs and shows the contents on an indicator. Benefits include:
- Knowing exactly when to order the next tanker
- Checking each delivery: the silo weight increase should match the tanker's waybill
- Spotting losses between deliveries and batching records
You can also confirm tanker loads at the gate with a weighbridge, weighing the truck full and empty.
Maintenance checklist
- Inspect and clean the roof filter regularly
- Check aeration pads and vibrators work
- Grease screw conveyor bearings and check for worn flights
- Inspect butterfly valves and seals for leaks
- Check anchor bolts and structure for corrosion
- Verify silo load cells and the weigh hopper with calibration checks
Planning your cement silo and screw conveyor setup with Kira
Kira Scales supplies cement silos, screw conveyors, weigh hoppers and silo weighing systems, and serves clients in all 36 states and the FCT. Tell us your daily cement use, plant type and site location, and we will help you choose silo size, conveyor and weighing options. See each product page for current pricing or request a quote.
Contact Kira Scales or call or WhatsApp +234 803 435 4829 to plan your bulk cement system.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size cement silo do I need for a batching plant?
Size the silo from your daily cement use, tanker delivery size and how reliable deliveries are in your area. Many small and medium plants start with a 50 tonne silo, and add a second silo as they grow.
What is an LSY219 screw conveyor?
It is a tubular screw conveyor with a 219 mm diameter tube, commonly used to carry cement from a silo to a batching plant weigh hopper. Larger models such as 273 mm move more cement per hour.
Why does cement block in the silo?
Cement can bridge or compact in the cone, especially if it absorbs moisture. Aeration pads, vibrators and a well-sealed silo help keep it flowing.
How can I tell how much cement is in my silo?
Fit load cells under the silo legs. A silo weighing system shows the contents in tonnes, which is more reliable than level sensors.
Is a bolted silo as good as a welded silo?
Both work well when properly assembled and sealed. Bolted silos are easier to transport to remote sites, while welded silos arrive ready-built but need suitable roads and lifting.
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