SILO BRIDGING
Silo Bridging Removal Without Confined-Space Entry
Material stuck in your silo and discharge has stopped? Silo bridging occurs when bulk material forms a stable arch that blocks the flow. Bluepower provides no-entry silo bridging removal across Europe, helping industrial facilities clear trapped material and restore discharge.
RECOGNISING SILO BRIDGING
Signs Your Silo May Be Bridging
Discharge problems can develop while substantial material remains inside the silo. The following signs may indicate bridging, although other blockages or equipment faults can cause similar symptoms.
Little or No Discharge
Material flow slows or stops, interrupting the supply to downstream production.
Stored Material Remains
Level readings or stock records indicate material is still present, but it cannot be discharged normally.
Intermittent Material Flow
Discharge alternates between little or no flow and sudden releases, making production feed inconsistent.
Recurring Discharge Problems
Flow repeatedly stops after temporary improvement, suggesting the underlying material or discharge problem remains unresolved.
Tell us what has changed, which material is stored and how discharge is affected. Our team can assess whether silo bridging is the likely cause and discuss a suitable removal approach.
If material empties through a narrow channel while the surrounding material remains stuck, the problem may be silo ratholing. Read about silo ratholing removal, or explore our silo blockage removal services if the cause is unclear.
WHY MATERIAL BRIDGES
What Causes Silo Bridging?
Silo bridging develops when bulk material forms an arch strong enough to support itself above the discharge opening. Material properties, storage conditions and outlet dimensions all influence whether the material flows or becomes stuck.
Moisture & Caking
Moisture can cause susceptible materials to stick together and form hardened deposits, making normal discharge more difficult.
Compaction During Storage
Under pressure and over time, some bulk materials gain strength and become more resistant to flow.
Material Flow Properties
Cohesive powders can form stable arches. Coarse or irregular particles may interlock where the discharge opening is too small.
Hopper & Outlet Design
An outlet that is too small for the material can allow bridging. Hopper geometry and wall friction also affect discharge.
Removing a material bridge can restore discharge, but recurring problems may require a separate review of material flow properties, storage conditions and silo design.
OUR REMOVAL PROCESS
How We Approach Silo Bridging Removal
Every material bridge presents different conditions. Bluepower assesses the silo, stored material and available access before selecting a suitable no-entry removal method.
01
Describe the Problem
Tell us the material, silo dimensions, approximate quantity and discharge symptoms. Include the site location and how production is affected.
02
Assess Conditions & Access
We review the available information with your site team, including access points and material condition, to plan the work and select suitable equipment.
03
Remove the Material Bridge
Our team uses remotely operated equipment to loosen and remove the bridged material without personnel entering the silo.
04
Check Discharge & Next Steps
Once the bridge is removed, discharge is checked with the site team. Any remaining restrictions or further cleaning needs are reviewed before handover.
NO-ENTRY TECHNOLOGY
Equipment for Silo Bridging Removal
The right equipment depends on the strength of the material bridge and the available access. Bluepower selects the method, or combination of methods, to suit the conditions inside your silo.
Loosening Bridged Material & Build-Up
BinWhip uses rotating cleaning heads (Dual – top and bottom) to loosen bridged material and deposits from inside the silo. The equipment is operated remotely.
Best suited for:
Bridged material • Wall deposits • Material build-up
Opening a Path Through the Bridge
BinDrill bores through a material bridge from above, creating an opening for discharge or access for BinWhip to continue removal.
Best suited for:
Solid material bridges • Restricted access • Plugged silos
Breaking Up Hardened Material
Cardox uses controlled CO₂ pressure release to break up hardened material. It may be selected where dense deposits require a different approach from mechanical cleaning.
Best suited for:
Hardened deposits • Dense compaction • Difficult blockages
SILO BRIDGING SUPPORT
Need Help With Silo Bridging?
Tell us where your site is located, which material is stored and how discharge is affected. Bluepower can assess the information and discuss a suitable approach to removing the bridge without personnel entering the silo.
No Confined-Space Entry
Remotely Operated Equipment
Method Selected for Your Silo
Support Across Europe