Oilseed Storage & Production Depends on Exact Measures

Large silos—which can be greater than 50 ft. (15 m) in diameter and over 130 ft. (40 m) tall—are used to store raw materials. Monitoring the amount of raw material exiting storage silos and entering oil-extracting machines is essential for tracking inventory and maintaining production efficiency.

Byproducts from oil processing—such as meals, hulls, lecithin, and hominy/dried maize—are also stored in silos before being shipped for use in the production of fertilizers, animal feeds, cosmetics, and other products.

Seed & Oil Production Challenges

These materials build up inside silos. Also, as temperatures rise over time, the quality of beans diminishes. This can ultimately cause spoilage and result in hard clumps of material that cannot be used. Silo operators hope to address this challenge by detecting buildup as soon as it begins to form.

The Solution: 3D Sensors

BinMaster`s 3DLevelScanner visualization tools allow production managers to see the topography of material inside silos in real time. Upon detecting buildup, they can proactively schedule maintenance and cleaning before unexpected interruptions of production occur, bulk material spoils, or the structure of the silo is damaged.

The 3DLevelScanner also addresses the need for accurate inventory. Having a sufficient supply of raw materials on hand is crucial to meet production plans, especially when delivery times can vary considerably. By using multiple-point surface mapping technology, the 3DLevelScanner system provides end users with accurate, reliable, and continuous non-contact volume measurement, enabling them to have more control over inventory management.