Changsha in Hunan Province on the Chinese mainland is now home to the first five 9,000-tonne pneumatic grain storage facilities, which were successfully inflated into shape on Monday. This milestone marks the latest advance in the Chinese mainland's development of fourth-generation grain storage technology.
Each silo spans 24 meters in diameter and reaches 33 meters in height, capable of holding up to 9,000 tonnes of grain—enough to feed 23 million people for a day. Unlike conventional silos, these pneumatic structures boast airtightness six times above national standards and thermal insulation three times better than traditional squat silos.
Under the outer air membrane lies a reinforced concrete shell for support and a layer of polyurethane insulation. Once operational, a network of sensors will monitor grain temperature in real time, while the nearly oxygen-free environment helps keep pests at bay and preserves quality.
Beyond improved storage conditions, the new design cuts operational and maintenance costs by an estimated 30 percent. Waterproofing, insulation and airtight features are all built within the air membrane, shielding the internal structure from rain, snow and wind.
Construction efficiency also leaps forward. What previously required a team of over 100 people can now be completed by just 18, trimming the build time by 25 percent compared to earlier squat silos.
The five 9,000-tonne pneumatic silos are set to be finished by the end of this year and begin operations in February next year, strengthening the Chinese mainland's capacity for secure, modern grain storage.
Reference(s):
China takes another step forward in developing next-generation granary
cgtn.com
