Setting up a pellet storage system for smaller facilities requires careful planning to ensure efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness. MAFA provides practical advice and solutions for optimizing pellet handling in compact spaces.
Key Considerations for Small Pellet Storage
- Choose the Right Silo Size
Select a silo that matches your consumption and available space. Smaller silos or modular designs are ideal for limited areas. - Ensure Easy Filling and Emptying
Use systems with smooth interior surfaces and steep cones for reliable discharge. - Minimize Dust and Spillage
Opt for closed systems and accessories like cyclones and filters to maintain a clean environment. - Plan for Accessibility
Include safe ladders, platforms, or inspection hatches for easy maintenance. - Consider Mobility
Mobile silos or intermediate storage units can provide flexibility for seasonal or temporary needs.
Recommended MAFA Solutions
- Modular Silos – Space-saving design for indoor or outdoor use.
- Mobile Silos – Equipped with forklift pockets for easy relocation.
- Flexible Screw Conveyors – Perfect for installations with tight layouts.
- Big Bag Fillers and Dischargers – Ideal for handling smaller pellet volumes.
Benefits of Optimized Pellet Storage
✔ Efficient material flow and reduced downtime
✔ Improved workplace safety and hygiene
✔ Lower maintenance costs
✔ Scalable solutions for future expansion
Silo Size?
For a typical residential pellet burner, a silo that holds at least 3 tons of pellets is recommended. This allows you to fit an entire truck delivery in one go.
Our Villasilo has a capacity of 5.7 m³, which corresponds to just over 3 tons.
Other sizes are also available – both smaller and larger.
Indoor Placement Considerations
- The room should have ventilation of at least 4 dm².
- Ceiling height should be about 10 cm higher than the silo, to allow for installation and for the top cover to rise during filling.
- Consider the silo’s position relative to the burner – is a screw feed possible?
- The fill pipe is often routed through the wall to make filling easier.
Outdoor Placement Considerations
- The silo must stand level on a foundation or plates under each leg.
- The foundation or plates should be placed on non-frost-heaving material.
- Position the silo to make filling as easy as possible.
Intermediate Hopper or Direct Screw Feed to Burner?
Burner models with their own small internal hopper can be fed directly.
For burners where pellets drop straight into the burner cup, an intermediate hopper is usually used. From there, the burner’s own dosing screw takes over.
Sensors are installed in the intermediate hopper along with an electrical control unit with timer function, so filling occurs automatically.
The reason for using an intermediate hopper with certain models is that they are very sensitive. Feeding directly from a bulk silo can be uneven, so an intermediate hopper ensures smooth operation.
Vacuum Transport?
For long distances or difficult screw routing (such as a doorway in the way), vacuum transport is an excellent option. It can be used in any case, but since the price is higher compared to a screw system, screws are usually chosen for simpler setups.
When using vacuum transport, an intermediate hopper is always required.
Screw Installation – Things to Keep in Mind
- As few bends as possible: max 3 × 45° or 2 × 90°.
- Avoid S-shaped bends. If necessary, include at least 1 m of straight pipe between bends.
- Maximum screw inclination: 45°.
- Maximum length: approx. 10–12 meters, depending on screw speed.
- Bend radius: approx. 1 meter.
Contact MAFA today for expert advice and a customized pellet storage solution tailored to your facility
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