Storage Silo Insulation & Seals Print E-mail
Astec silos are insulated so well because they are designed as a storage system guaranteed to keep asphalt hot for up to four days. Many operators have even reported storing mix for up to a week with no significant loss in mix quality.
Twelve inches of insulation are installed in the top of the silos.
Twelve inches of insulation are installed in the top of the silos.
Four inches of insulation surround the cone.
Four inches of insulation surround the cone.
Astec's discharge gate is completely sealed with oil allowing no heat to escape.
Astec's discharge gate is completely sealed with oil allowing no heat to escape.
The oil reservoir pumps oil from the reservoir to the discharge gate.
The oil reservoir pumps oil from the reservoir to the discharge gate.

Our Silos Keep Mix Hot

Twelve inches of insulation at silo tops, four inches around the cone and six inches along the cylinder keep the mix hot. Batchers are insulated as well because uninsulated batchers are a major source of heat loss.

Two layers of stiff sheet insulation are staggered to eliminate heat-leaking seams along the silo cylinder. These strong batts of insulation provide support the silo skin. The aluminum skin has a baked enamel finish that will look nice for years to come.

Store Mix Longer

Astec uses thick, full R-value non-compressed insulation around the silo cylinder. Super insulation on Astec silos helps you to store mix for longer periods.

Seal Silos in Storage Mode

In storage mode it is crucial to seal the silo. Oxidation, or premature hardening of the mix, happens in the silo when the mix is exposed to air. In storage mode Astec silos are completely sealed from top to bottom.

Seal the Top

In storage mode the cylinder-operated gate at the top of the batcher is completely sealed. The gate runs in rails which tightly wedge it against a ring of grease. This forms a tight seal and keeps air from entering at the silo top. When filling operations begin again, the gate is opened and remains open until filling operations stop. An air actuated grease pump replenishes the grease and ensures a continued, perfect seal.

Seal the Bottom

The exclusive design of Astec's discharge gate (U.S. patent number 3,949,907) completely seals the bottom of the cone when the silo is in storage mode. The heated and insulated discharge gate closes to completely cover the cone opening. Oil is pumped into the gate to seal the bottom silo opening. The oil reservoir is located by the silo legs, and a motor-driven pump moves the oil from the reservoir into the gate. A sensor monitors the oil level in the gate and controls the pump. When the silo is taken out of storage mode, the pump is reversed and the oil is automatically withdrawn from the gate.