Ronnie Brown

By: Ronnie Brown on April 23rd, 2021

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PLYMESH Bin Aeration Pads: What You Need To Know Before You Buy

Filtration

When you analyze your silo or grain bin system, what do you identify as your biggest concern? Odds are it's keeping the material within them free-flowing to prevent costly material waste.

To combat this, aeration pads are often employed to create a sense of fluidization amongst the individual particle of the material. That said, as no one aeration system is perfectly identical, utilizing plymesh laminated silo and bin aeration pads prove to provide the perfect balance between customization, durability, and cost-effectiveness.

But to ensure PLYMESH aeration pads can accommodate your needs, it's essential to understand what specifications and factors are taken into consideration when designing an aeration pad.

W.S. Tyler has been a prominent supplier of innovative woven wire products for over 140 years and is here to learn your operation inside and out to better help you understand what is needed to keep your stored material free-flowing.

To that end, this article will cover:

  • What a PLYMESH laminated silo and bin aeration pad is
  • The specifications and factors that go into building the ideal aeration pad
  • What the buying process of an aeration pad looks like

What Is a PLYMESH Laminated Silo and Bin Aeration Pad?

plymesh-silo-aeration-pad

To understand what a PLYMESH laminated silo and bin aeration pad, you must first understand what PLYMESH is. PLYMESH is a laminated wire mesh panel constructed using several layers of woven wire filter cloth bound using specialized techniques.

This process leaves behind a panel of smooth, porous wire mesh laminate that is often used to keep particles stored in silos free-flowing by promoting fluidization throughout the silo. This is done as the multiple layers of wire mesh helps to evenly distribute pressurized air while preventing the individual particles from entering the air system.

For a more in-depth analysis of what a PLYMESH laminated silo aeration pad is, refer to our article: How PLYMESH Is Applied as Laminated Silo Aeration Pads.

 

Building the Perfect Silo/Bin Aeration Pad

When designing an ideal PLYMESH laminated silo aeration pad system, there are several specifications and factors that you must take into consideration. Of these specifications and factors, particle size distribution, residual moisture, aeration pad material, and silo/bin specifications stand as most important.

 

Particle Size Distribution

When it comes to the individual particle being stored in a silo or bin, the finer the material, the finer the pore size of the ventilation pad must be. This is because the fine particles must be prevented from trickling through the aeration pad and into the air system.

One of the best ways to gain insight into the particle size distribution of your material is to integrate a reliable particle analysis method that matches your industry standards and material type. After the particle size distribution is calculated, our experienced engineer team can recommend aeration pad specifications that are catered to your specific operation.

 

Residual Moisture

When material is stored in silos for long periods, residual moisture is a fundamental problem. This is particularly true when working with fine particles, such as flour.

This is because residual moisture causes these particles to become agglomerated and clump. As this can cause issues with both the aeration system and, more importantly, your product, it is recommended to take extra steps and precautions to ensure the product remains as dry as possible.

 

Aeration Pad Material

The material you construct your aeration pad out of will determine its effectiveness as well as its longevity. While materials like plastic are commonly used as they have an upfront cost that seems cost-effective initially, they have to be replaced more often than aeration pads made from other materials, such as stainless steel.

Bin-Aeration-Pad-Pores

PLYMESH laminated silo aeration pads are made out of 304 series stainless steel, making them safe for food applications. Additionally, stainless steel, in general, is proven to be more heat-resistant and resistant to abrasive materials than most materials used to construct aeration pads.

 

Silo/Bin Specifications

All aspects of your silos play an integral role in the designing of an aeration system that is custom to your needs. This includes the cylindrical diameter, cone diameter, cylindrical height, total height, angle of repose, silo capacity.

While these specifications have little impact on the specifications of the aeration pad directly, they do influence the type, number, and position of the aeration pads.

 

What Does the Buying Process Look Like?

Generally, the buying process begins after you reach out and request more information about aeration pads. To better understand your needs, we then send out a questionnaire that inquires about the material being stored, the silo dimensions, and the operating temperature.

We will then recommend an aeration pad spec that is best suited for your silo or bin. Our technicians have a database of products that are already successfully fluidized with our aeration pads.

We have two standard specifications:

 

1) 3 Ply 40-60

2) 6 Ply 12-30

 

However, it is not enough just to choose the correct gauge. For the product to flow, the number and positioning of the pads are crucial.

Once the aeration pad specifications are agreed upon, you will receive a quote reflecting the cost of the materials needed to produce the mesh.

After you accept the quote and submit a purchase order, your aeration pads will begin to be fabricated.

Free ultimate guide to woven wire mesh filters

Keep Your Material Free-Flowing With PLYMESH

PLYMESH laminated silo and bin aeration pads generate a sense of fluidization that keeps material free-flowing, even after being stored for long periods of time. From finer materials like flour to more abrasive grains and cement, the stainless steel construction of these wire mesh pads makes them one of the most efficient and effective aeration pad solutions on the market.

That said, filling out the questionnaire is the first step to determining if stainless steel aeration pads are a good fit for you.

Having helped customers navigate the capabilities of woven wire mesh for 140 years, W.S. Tyler strives to ensure you implement an aeration pad system that promotes an operation that runs efficiently.

To gain further insight as to if stainless steel aeration pads are suitable for you, refer to the following product guide:
Woven Wire, Fabricated Parts & Customized Filters Learning Guide.

About Ronnie Brown

Ronnie is the Content Writer for W.S. Tyler and has four years of experience as a professional writer. He strives to expand his knowledge on all things particle analysis and woven wire mesh to leverage his exceptional writing and graphic design skills, creating a one-of-a-kind experience for customers.