SILO RATHOLING
Silo Ratholing Removal Without Confined-Space Entry
Material discharging through a narrow channel while the rest remains stuck? This flow pattern is known as silo ratholing. Bluepower provides no-entry removal of trapped material, helping industrial facilities across Europe recover usable silo capacity and restore discharge.
RECOGNISING SILO RATHOLING
Signs Your Silo May Have a Ratholing Problem
Ratholing can leave substantial amounts of material trapped while only a narrow channel empties above the outlet. These signs may indicate a ratholing problem, although other discharge faults can cause similar symptoms.
Flow Stops With Material Remaining
Discharge stops after the active flow channel empties, even though material remains stored around it.
Material Remains Around the Sides
Material outside the discharge channel stays in place instead of moving towards the outlet.
Reduced Usable Silo Capacity
Trapped material occupies storage space, reducing the amount that can be discharged during normal operation.
Caking in Stagnant Material
Material left stationary for extended periods may cake or agglomerate, making it more difficult to discharge.
Tell us what has changed, which material is stored and how discharge is affected. Our team can assess whether ratholing may be contributing to the problem and discuss a suitable removal approach.
WHY RATHOLING DEVELOPS
What Causes Silo Ratholing?
Ratholing develops when material flows through a channel above the outlet while the surrounding material remains stable and does not collapse into it. Material strength and the silo’s discharge geometry influence whether this channel persists.
Cohesive Bulk Material
Particles that bond together can form material strong enough to remain standing around an empty discharge channel.
Moisture & Caking
Moisture can increase cohesion in susceptible materials. Caking can make stagnant material harder to discharge.
Funnel Flow Conditions
In funnel flow, only part of the stored material moves during discharge. The surrounding stagnant zones can allow ratholing to develop in cohesive materials.
Hopper Geometry & Wall Friction
Hopper walls that are too shallow or offer too much friction for the stored material can encourage flow through a limited channel.
Material build-up can restrict discharge and reduce usable silo capacity.
Silo bridging blocks flow with an arch of material above the outlet. Ratholing leaves material standing around an emptied flow channel. Read about silo bridging removal, or explore our silo blockage removal services if the cause is unclear.
OUR REMOVAL PROCESS
How We Approach Silo Ratholing Removal
Bluepower assesses the trapped material, silo configuration and available access to plan a suitable no-entry removal approach.
01
Describe the Discharge Problem
Tell us which material is stored, how discharge has changed and how production is affected. Include the site location, silo dimensions and estimated quantity remaining.
02
Assess Material & Access
We review the material condition and available access points with your site team to select suitable equipment and plan the removal work.
03
Remove Trapped Material
Remotely operated equipment loosens and removes material remaining around the flow channel without personnel entering the silo
04
Check Discharge & Next Steps
Discharge is checked with your site team, and any remaining deposits or further cleaning needs are reviewed. Recurring flow problems may require a separate engineering assessment.
NO-ENTRY TECHNOLOGY
Equipment for Silo Ratholing Removal
The removal method depends on the condition of the trapped material and the available access. Bluepower selects equipment to suit the silo, using a combination of methods where needed.
Loosening Stagnant Material
BinWhip uses rotating cleaning heads to loosen stagnant material and deposits around the discharge channel. The equipment is operated remotely, without personnel entering the silo.
Best suited for:
Stagnant material • Wall deposits • Material build-up
Creating Access Through Obstructions
Where solid material obstructs access, BinDrill can bore an opening from above so that BinWhip can continue the removal work.
Best suited for:
Solid obstructions • Restricted access • Compacted material
Breaking Up Hardened Deposits
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 RATHOLING SUPPORT
Need Help With Silo Ratholing?
Material remaining in your silo while discharge has stopped? Tell us your site location, the stored material and how production is affected. Bluepower can assess the information and discuss a suitable no-entry removal approach.
No Confined-Space Entry
Remotely Operated Equipment
Method Selected for Your Silo
Support Across Europe